Page 123 of Forbidden Hearts

---

“You’re mine too.”

And I hope she’ll still feel that way when she finds out about me and her dad.

thirty-two

ASHER

It’s late, I’m exhausted, and all I want is to be with Phoebe. It’s been two days since I told her I love her, and other than the first night, I haven’t really seen her much. Yesterday, I ended up on a call that went well past my shift, I slept at the station because I had to be back at work in six hours, and today has been nonstop.

How is Liv?

Phoebe

She’s good. Misses you. As do I.

What did you guys do today?

The bubbles pop up. Stop. Start. Stop again. And then start before the text comes through.

Phoebe:

We went shopping. I spoke with Sara because Olivia asked me to take her to buy some . . . girl things. She was okay with it, so Brynn and I took her.

Girl things? What the hell could my nine-year-old daughter need that . . . no, she’s so young. She can’t have started already.

Not possible.

Phoebe

Yes, it is. She needed a bra, Asher. Sara, Brynn, and I all agreed.

I stare at the words on the screen. A bra? I’m so not ready for this stage. To me, Olivia is still three, happy to sit on my shoulders and jump in rain puddles.

Can we pretend she’s still a baby?

Phoebe

My dad is a pro at it, ask him for pointers.

I laugh because it’s true. It’s also why he’s probably going to shoot me when we tell him that we’re together and she’s pregnant.

Maybe we can lead with that when we tell him about us.

Phoebe

You should be more concerned with making it out alive.

True.

Phoebe

Olivia is asleep, it was an exhausting day. Are you coming home tonight?

Home. That’s where she is. In my home, in my head, in my every thought.

Yes, I’ll be home in a few hours.

Phoebe

---