Page 39 of Keep This Promise
No point wallowing out here, though. I grab my bag and head inside where Sophie and Eden are curled up on the sofa, reading a book.
All the frustration, anger, and stress of the day disappears.
Eden’s head turns. “Holden!”
She climbs out of her mother’s arms and comes rushing toward me. I scoop her up, clutching her to me. One day, she’ll do that yelling Daddy. I don’t know when, but I can’t wait for it. I love this kid with my whole heart. In one instant, my entire life changed. No longer is it about work and the other bullshit in my life—it’s about her.
This little girl who owns me.
And her mother who, God help me, I want as well.
Sophie stands, a smile on her perfect lips. “Hey, how was work?”
“Horrible, but it’s over.” I grin as I tuck Eden more securely in my arms. “And what did you do today?”
“We went and played with Pickles, and Mummy went to run an errand.”
“You saw that mean cat?” I ask, also wondering where Sophie went.
“He’s sweet!”
“He’s not.”
Eden giggles, resting her head on my shoulder. “I love him.”
“Well, someone has to love rotten things.”
Sophie shakes her head. “I went to the youth center to meet with Jenna, who . . .”
Fuck. “Is my ex-wife.”
“Yes, that was very interesting.” Sophie lifts one brow.
When I mentioned I had an ex-wife, I probably should’ve elaborated that she lives in town and is the director of the youth center.
“Was she nice to you?”
Jenna isn’t mean. That’s one of the things I hate about her. Whenever we “fought,” which was really more like bickering, she was always so level-headed. Not that I wanted to be slapped or anything quite so dramatic, but she neverfought. For anything. Including us.
“She was, actually. I was gobsmacked when she told me who she was, but she welcomed me to town and wanted to hear about my painting and what I could do for the youth center if I were to work there.”
“Good. So, did you get the job?”
Sophie beams. “I think so. I explained our situation and that I needed to ensure Eden was cared for. She offered to let me bring her to stay in the nursery as well.”
All of it sounds great, and from the way Sophie looks, it’s clear she’s happy. “See, it’s all working out.”
“I miss painting,” she says softly. “I miss it, and the idea of touching a brush to canvas has my heart lifting.”
The happier she is here, the more likely it’ll be that she stays. “Then I can’t wait for you to do it again.”
Sophie takes a step back, biting her lower lip. “Holden, I’d like to talk to you about something.”
It’s clear she’s nervous, and now I am as well, but I tamp it down and focus on letting her tell me what it is before I jump to conclusions.
“Sure.”
“You know I want to stay here, not just because I think you’re wonderful, but also because you deserve to be with Eden . . .”
