Page 110 of The Assignment: Room 3

“I just love you, and seeing you with Gracie…” I start crying like an idiot.

He rubs circles on my back, soothing me the way only he can. “She’s my little bear.”

“You don’t have to…”

“I love you, pet, but that has nothing to do with my relationship with Gracie. I don’t love her because I love you. I love her because she’s amazing. I enjoy watching cartoons with her and talking about all kinds of crazy things. She’s freaking adorable.”

His words only make me cry harder.

“Shit. What did I say? I thought you’d be happy. What do you need?”

“I just never thought I would have this with someone.”

“A hug?”

“No.” I squeeze him. “This. Happiness. A man who could love me for me and who could love Gracie. Taking on another man’s child is… fuck. I don’t mean that you’re her dad or anything. Shit. I’m messing this up. Can we just forget the last few minutes didn’t consist of my word vomit?”

He pulls back, pinning me with his steely gaze. “You deserve it all, pet. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes for even a fleeting moment. You’d see the strong, confident, accomplished woman I love.”

I see something outside in my backyard. “What is that?”

“What?”

“I saw something out the window. I think there’s someone or something out there.” My heart is hammering so hard that I feel lightheaded.

“Stay here. Go into Gracie’s room and wait there until I tell you otherwise.”

“Be careful.”

He quietly makes his way out the front door and heads toward his car, I assume to get the gun in his glovebox. I do as he says, grabbing Gracie out of the tub and herd her and my mom into the bedroom.

“What’s going on, Celest?”

“I think I saw someone outside. Flex has gone to check.”

“You don’t think…”

“No. I’m just being paranoid. It’s my default to be suspicious of the smallest things.”

The front door opens, and Flex comes strolling in like it’s no big deal. “No one there. All is good. Could I talk to you for a minute, Celest?”

“Sure.”

“Gracie bear, let Gan Gan dry your hair so we can watch the end of the movie.”

“Yes, Fex.”

Flex rests his hand on the small of my back, guiding me out into the living room.

“I’d like to have a security system with cameras and motion detector lights installed. I don’t like the thought of you being here without me if something were to happen.”

“You said you didn’t see anything though, right?”

“Can I be honest without making you mad?” That doesn’t sound good.

“I can’t promise that.”

“This neighborhood isn’t safe enough for you.”

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