Page 32 of Smooth As Whiskey

How could he not see that my heart was in tatters at his feet?

I took in a breath and nodded.

Then I stood up because if I didn’t get the fuck out of this house right now, I was going to scream.

And I would be damned if I woke Maisie up.

Then he called out, “Sutton?”

I took in a breath and looked at him, even when it hurt so fucking badly to do so.

“You’ll still be there for Maisie. Right?”

I smiled weakly, “Yeah.”

He whispered, “Thanks.”

I nodded, trying to hide the hurt, but there was nothing I wouldn’t do for that little girl, “Think nothing of it.”

***

We were at the clubhouse a week later, and if it hadn’t been a part of my contract for one more week, I wouldn’t have shown up.

But I was there.

Present and unwilling, but I was there.

Maisie was at my side coloring a picture when Irish walked over.

Ever since I had told him how I felt, he had been distant.

If it didn’t concern Maisie, we didn’t talk.

He lifted his chin, “Have you got her?”

I lifted a brow, “Yeah, why?”

He didn’t answer me.

No, all he did was nod and then head over to a certain table.

I felt my jaw drop.

Was he serious right now?

Surely, he wouldn’t…. my heart dropped right out of my chest as I watched him offer her his hand, and then she licked her lips, placed her hand in his, and let him lead her into the clubhouse.

“Sutton?”

I tore my eyes from the now-empty doorway and looked down at the sweetest girl to ever grace this world, even though he had literally just torn my heart from my chest, I asked, “Yeah, Princess?”

“I gotta potty.”

“Okay, sweet girl, let’s go potty.” She placed her hand in mine, and together, we headed into the clubhouse.

We returned to the courtyard and near the fire pit, all bundled back up underneath our blankets, when Asher took the chair to our right and asked, “Where’s your man at?”

I shrugged, “I don’t have a man.”

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