Page 26 of Forbidden Hearts
No, no, there’s not.
I can’t even let myself think about this. No way in hell.
“Are you getting ice cream?” he asks.
“No, I . . . wasn’t going to.”
“Why?”
I huff. “Because I’d forgotten that Josiah here did away with the tabs. When I was going to order for myself, he so kindly informed me of the rule change. So, I probably have enough for Olivia, and that’s who matters.”
Asher turns to Josiah with his head tilted to the side. “Since when did Mr. Pips do away with the tabs?”
“She didn’t say it was your tab, Officer Whitlock.”
Asher’s eyes narrow. “You know Olivia is my daughter, right?”
He nods.
“Then . . . I’m curious why you thought it wouldn’t go on my tab?”
I stand here, fighting back a smile as Asher puts him in his place.
“Sorry,” Josiah says to him and then me.
Asher turns to me. “Get anything you want.”
That slightly giddy feeling I had is now gone. Instead, I feel stupid and ridiculous for needing him to come in and pay for me.
“I’m okay. I don’t need anything.”
“Get what you want, Phoebe. I’ll pay for it.”
“I can pay for myself,” I say, feeling slightly defiant. I don’t want or need charity.
His voice drops as he leans in. “I didn’t say you couldn’t. Get something so you and Liv can sit and have ice cream.”
Olivia watches the two of us and asks,“Are you getting ice cream too?”
I close my eyes for a second and then nod to her before placing my order.
Asher kisses Olivia’s cheek and then grins at me. “Enjoy your ice cream. I’ll see you both later.”
I really want to wipe that smirk off his face.
six
ASHER
“So, how’s it going with Liv living with you full time?” Rowan asks as he hands me a beer.
“It’s been fine.”
And it has been. I love having my daughter all the time. I just don’t love it requires a nanny living with me too. It’s working out with Phoebe staying at my house on the nights I work and at her place on the nights I’m off. Thankfully we haven’t had to test how quickly she can get to me if a call comes in, but what’s not going well is my thoughts about her.
“Liv seems happy,” Rowan cuts into my thoughts.
“She is. I’m the fun parent.”
