Page 24 of The SEALs' Single Mom Baby Surprise

It’s too soon.

Too much the same.

“Duly noted, sweet cheeks.”

Reese laughs as she climbs out of the car. “Bye, Mommy.”

“Have a good day, baby. Be good.”

I wait for her to disappear inside before I’m willing to drive off. Rhett certainly has got me paranoid.

Or maybe it’s the car from last night, the constant texts and calls from Alistair that I can’t block, the man who came in to threaten me at work, Warren’s insistence that I let the men take care of the issues at the warehouse to keep me out of it, or the sinking suspicion that I have no idea what I’m doing.

I’ll never make it on my own.

Huffing, I stiff arm my steering wheel on the way to the base. Once I’m parked in my spot, I will my shoulders to relax and take a deep breath. Today is an improvement from yesterday, so I’ll take that as a win.

I don’t see Rhett’s car. He'd better not have followed me. My search for it is interrupted by four new pings on my phone.

God damn it.

I’m not even out of my car yet, and Alistair sets a bomb off in my morning.

He’s the only one who texts me. And it’s never just once.

Closing my eyes, I push myself back against my seat and imagine telling my ex off—something I’ve never been able to do. My mouth can’t keep up with my thoughts when I’m battling him. He’s too practiced at getting the upper hand, at laying out his argument for why I’m wrong and why I need him to hold my hand. Why I can’t reach the potential he sees for me.

I gag on the overwhelming feeling, my stomach churning through the heavy breakfast burrito.

Edmund knocks on my window.

Waving, I step out of my car to him with a wan smile. “Hey. How’s your mom? You took her to her doctor appointments yesterday, right?”

He smiles, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “Yeah. The scans were good. Looks like treatment is working.”

That piece of news gives me some genuine joy. Edmund’s mother is the sweetest little woman. I’ve met her a handful of times over the years. She’s gentle and motherly, just like I’ve always wanted in a mom. What I try to be as one.

“Good. I’m glad to hear it.”

We share a moment of silent gratitude.

“How’s Reese?”

Sighing with happiness, I say, “Too smart for her own good, and maybe too nice, too. I couldn’t ask for a better little girl.”

“She’s transitioning well?” Edmund’s voice is soft, almost nervous as he asks.

I talk about Reese all the time, but I don’t ever talk about the other parts of my life. I guess my move has been pretty obvious, though. “Okay. She’s resilient, but I guess time will tell. It’s the best move for her. For us both.”

“I’m glad you finally pulled the trigger on that one. You deserve so much better.”

Heat flushes my cheeks and neck. I’m unsure how to respond to that. “Thanks.”

“Of course.” Edmund opens the door for me, and I feel him stall when we step into the office together.

Cole and Shepard have made themselves comfortable in our office, Cole in an empty desk and Shepard behind mine. Again.

“What did I miss?” Edmund asks at my back.

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