Page 100 of The Arrogant's Redemption

"You forgave me."

"I did. But I fought a full-blown war inside myself first."

"And how did I win?"

"Because even though I’m the most terrified woman you’ve ever met, I’m also the biggest dreamer. I want you. I want the three of us."

He leans over me, and a shiver runs down my spine at the intensity in his eyes. "I’m never letting you go."

"Once, I asked you not to make a promise. You did—and you broke it."

"This isn’t a promise. It’s a bond—a commitment. You’re mine forever, Alexis."

A few days later

"He’s the most beautiful child in the world," says my brother-in-law’s girlfriend—Brother-in-law? Yeah, Seth is practically my brother-in-law—while my son does his usual show, delighted to be the center of attention.

Even so, just like I predicted, he wouldn’t go to either Seth or his girlfriend. Instead, he threw his chubby arms around his father’s neck and buried his face in LJ’s chest.

I wish I’d taken a photo of LJ’s face in that moment—the undeniable joy when his son sought comfort in him.

I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the wave of emotion I feel watching the love between them. Maybe it hits me so hard because I never got the chance to meet my own father.

"Yes, he is," I reply, fully embracing my mom-pride—and I hear both Seth and my boyfriend laugh.

"Brother, can I talk to you for a second?" Seth asks, and LJ hesitates, unsure about leaving me and the baby.

The feminist in me should be yelling that we’re perfectly capable of being alone—but the woman in love feels her heart beat faster, and I nod, telling him it’s fine.

Lazarus

"What’s wrong?" I ask as soon as we reach the balcony of his apartment.

"How do you know something’s wrong?"

"Because I’m your older brother—and I know you."

"It’s about Jodie," he starts, his face tightening with distaste. "But before I bring her up, let me just say how happy I am to see you and the mother of your child working things out."

I place both hands on the railing and stare out ahead. "There’s still a lot we have to sort through. I hurt her deeply, and Alexis still doesn’t trust me."

"And do you trust her? She kept Sedric from us."

"You know me, Seth. My first reaction was pure fury. But then . . . I put myself in her shoes."

"I never thought you were capable of empathy."

"Me neither. But this isn’t just anyone we’re talking about—it’s the love of my life."

I see his eyes widen—and even I’m taken aback by the weight of that declaration. But in the very next second, I realize it’s simply the truth.

Alexis is the love of my life.

People might call what I feel love—because there’s no stronger word—but I’m not sure it fits. I don’t think there’s a single emotion in existence that fully captures what she makes me feel.

Ever since she moved into my room a few nights ago, I’ve spent most of each night watching her sleep—as if she might vanish at any second. Nothing compares to the way I feel when she wakes up smiling in my arms.

"You love her," he says.

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