Page 118 of The Ranger
Now.
To tell me I was wrong and that...I don’t know.That maybe hemightwant to be with me.
I wasn’t asking you to marry me, Scarlett.
God, I’m an idiot.
Cole has had almost five months, and now that his daughter is here, he’s directly told me he doesn’t want to commit.
Stop being pathetic, Scarlett Walton.
Leave.
“Yeah.So.I should um, I should get packed and head home.”I shuffle to the edge of the sofa.Our eyes meet for what feels like eternity.As if one of us is waiting for the other to say something.
Zara breaks the silence with a baby gurgle.
“Can you take her?She needs to be put down, so I need to hurry.”I lift her, and Cole immediately slides his hands under her little body and places her against his chest.
God, it makes me want to cry watching him cuddle our daughter.
She is so tiny.
He is so big and muscular.
We stand at the same time, Cole gently bouncing Zara.
I find my phone then head towards the bedroom.
“Scar,” his voice is gravel, eyes vulnerable when I turn.“Why don’t you stay?”
I almost sob.
“This isn’t our home,” I reply softly.
“What if it was?”He takes a step but stops.
I shake my head and glance at the floor.
I know why he wants us to stay.Like me, he’s come from a broken family, and this feels like our chance.But he already said he doesn’t want to get married, and in time he’ll realize this—me—isn’t what he wants.
If he did, he’s had enough time to spit it out.
The only thing he’s ever shown is lust, and to be fair, that he cares.But that’s who Cole is.He’s a big, gorgeous, kind protector.
As tempting as it is for Zara’s sake to say yes, I can’t.She deserves to have two parents who get along and don’t resent one another.That’s what would happen if I said yes right now.
“Cole, I get it.I wish this were different.That together we could be this perfect family for our little girl, and that—”
He’s in front of me with Zara before I can blink.
“Then let’s try.For her.Can’t you just...don’t you feel anything for me?”he asks.
What?
Tears build in my eyes.
Why did he ask that?
