Page 25 of Saving Grace
“I did. Until I woke up in a panic because I’d slept so good.”
He winces. “Sorry. Again.”
“Don’t be. I’m…I needed it.” Lord knows the bags under my eyes were dark enough to count as a black eye these days. I bet I could sleep for another six hours or so if given the option, but I don’t tell Drew that. He has Kaia tilted like a pro, making sure she doesn’t get any air bubbles in the nipple.
It’s crazy to think this is the same guy who just a few days ago was terrified of holding her when I threw her into his arms. The same guy who is making it more and more difficult to protect my heart from.
I knew coming to Havenwood would be risky. I’m starting to think I didn’t consider all the possible scenarios. Like my heart still belonging solely to the man in front of me.
Because I am one hundred percent still in love with Drew Flynn. And I don’t know if I want to fight it anymore.
“We should probably continue our conversation from yesterday,” he says after a minute of us both watching Kaia. Even as he speaks to me, he only has eyes for her.
I step forward to take the now empty bottle from him and move to the sink, washing it to give my hands something to do. “What else is there to say? We both made choices, and we’re living with the consequences. We’ll figure out the rest as we go.”
“You didn’t ask anything about why I left. Or about the pills. I know you know about them.”
Sighing, I set the clean bottle and nipple on the counter and turn around. My back rests against the coolness of the oversize farm sink as I think of a response.
“Are you actively popping pain pills?”
“No.”
“Are you planning to do anything to jeopardize the safety of our daughter?”
“Of course not. She’s everything.”
“Then I don’t have any questions. I trust you, Drew.”
“Even if I told you I almost messed up the day you came to town?”
“See, I’m not concerned about the almost.” Sliding my hand along the arm not cradling Kaia, I step closer. “I almost died when my stepdad shot me. But I didn’t give up. I almost lost hope in humanity, but certain people in my life reminded me that, where there’s darkness, there’s also light. I almost stayed in Tennessee, but we wouldn’t have been able to raise Kaia together.”
His body shudders on an exhale, and I know if I looked up that his eyes would be closed as he chokes back the emotion roiling through him. Instead, I keep my eyes on our daughter as she sleeps contentedly in her father’s arms. Something I’ll never regret allowing.
“Youalmostmessed up, but you didn’t. I’m betting you either sought out Jace or your brother because you knew they’d have your back. Thealmostdoesn’t matter, because you’re here, and you’ll do everything you can to stay here and healthy for the little girl in your arms.”
Chapter 13
Drew
She doesn’t know it, but Leila Barrett just ruined me with those words. This girl has always been and will always be the only woman capable of bringing me to my knees.
Well, I guess Kaia will, too, as she gets older and learns the power she has over her old man.
Just one look from either of them has me wanting to make every wish come true.
It’s in this moment that I realize one hard truth: I’ll do whatever it takes to earn Leila’s heart.
“I don’t know what to say to any of that. Except things you probably aren’t ready to hear.” It’s so tempting to spill those three little words and beg her to let me love her, but I know better.
“You don’t need to say anything.”
“You still good to come to family dinner tonight? Mom’s been blowing up my phone all morning about it. She’s already made an extra-large banana pudding.”
“As long as you’re sure they aren’t disappointed in me. I’m sure your dad isn’t thrilled about the situation, either.”
“They know it’s not on you. They love you, and Dad is more than ready to meet his granddaughter.”
