Page 138 of Forbidden Hearts
This child didn’t have a hand in her parentage but was part of my mother, who I loved.
Just as this baby will be part of Phoebe, and I can love this child because it’ll come from her.
“It won’t be Jonathan’s baby. It will be mine and hers. I’m not saying there won’t be times I’ll struggle knowing that they have a kid together, but Phoebe and I will share the best parts of that child’s life.”
Brynlee pats the top of my hand. “And this is why I love you with my whole heart. You’re a good man, a dumb one, but you’re the best.”
“Right back at you.”
She removes her hand, looking at the purple stains on my knuckles, and grins. “Now, tell me about what happened when you saw him. I hope you broke his nose.”
* * *
“You know, it’s very cliché of you to fall in love with the nanny.” Sara nudges my shoulder as we watch Phoebe help Olivia pack.
“Shut up.”
“I’m serious. I thought you’d find a biker chick or someone like a former prison guard. You could do with a tough girl who can kick your ass.”
This is why I never wanted to date her, she’s annoying as fuck. “As opposed to your car salesman?”
“Hey, don’t mock Finnegan. He’s a sweet man who happens to adore me.”
“So, he’s unstable? Got it.”
Sara scoffs. “Please, there’s clearly something wrong with Phoebe if she finds you charming.”
“I am charming, I just wasn’t with you,” I toss back.
We both laugh. “Good because if that was your version of charming, I would have felt bad for you.”
“And, yet, here we are, tied together forever.”
“Just until she’s eighteen,” Sara clarifies.
“You know, I actually missed this.”
She smiles. “I did too, Ash. It’s good to be home. I really hated being away from Liv, but I also missed you.”
I know what she means by that. Sara and I have an odd friendship that is built off trusting someone who society says you shouldn’t get along with. She and I promised to always put Olivia first and never play games when it came to her, and we’ve both held true to it.
Liv throws her shirt down on the bed and starts signing to Phoebe, who laughs and responds.
“Hey, let’s go out in the hall and talk,” Sara says before walking out. “What does Olivia know?”
I fill her in on what we told her, which is that Phoebe and I are together and Phoebe is going to be moving in with me. She doesn’t know about the baby—yet—or that I’m planning to propose. Both of those things are happening soon, but I am in the early planning phases.
“So, you’re really going to propose?”
“I know she’s what I want, and I never want the baby to know otherwise.”
“It’s fast, Ash.”
I shrug. “Again, why wait? We have a baby coming, and I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”
Sara nods slowly. “Makes sense, I mean you’re going to need someone to change your diapers in a few years. Best to secure her before you need the Viagra.”
“You’re not too far behind me.”
