Page 69 of Falling for You
God, this man was born to be a girl dad.
“And a bow to go with it.” I smile up at him before snuggling into his chest.
He holds me in his lap as the sun goes down over the cliffs, reflecting off the ocean.
If we had Olivia back, this would be all I ever need.
When I woke up this morning, I was alone.
Except for the note on the coffee maker that tells me Rome ran out for breakfast sandwiches, and a donut for me. I lick my lips as I read the note in anticipation. Violet’s donuts are the best I’ve ever tasted.
I sip on my coffee, snuggling with Fiona on the porch. She’s snoring happily on the porch swing next to me.
She has been sad without Olivia. I found her this morning in her room, laying by the crib with Olivia’s blanket tucked under her chin. Rome and I aren’t the only ones affected, and it makes the anger in my chest grow for the Ryans.
While I can be compassionate for their grief, how dare they do this to Rome and Olivia? Rome was absolutely right. I don’t back down. And now that I’m back, I’m going to get Livvy Girl back to us no matter what.
I’ve started researching custody laws in Maine. I want to know all there is to know when we have court. I will not go in blindly and risk even one small mistake with her. Mama Bear mode has been activated.
“Sunshine?”
Fiona’s head pops out from under the blanket making me giggle as she cocks her head looking for Rome.
“Out here!”
“Good morning.” He leans over to kiss me, while making sure that Fi gets her head scratches.
“What took you so long, and I don’t see any boxes from Sweet Violets that were promised.” I raise my eyebrows in question.
“Oh. Uh. Margaret didn’t have any of your donuts, but Violet had them at the inn. So I ran over to pick them up and saw your parents. They were asking about the lawyer.”
He slips back through the door, returning almost immediately with the signature boxes my trainer in college would have swatted right out of my hands.
Thankfully I don’t have a trainer anymore and these boxes are all too welcome now. Although my trainer is the reason that Roman didn’t recognize me that night on the beach. He told me that he had to ask Hunter and G who I was. I giggle about it now, thinking back to my junior year when I got serious about working out and building muscle, and I wanted a nice ass. WhenI came home I was almost unrecognizable if you couldn’t see my face.
I was never a big girl, but I was curvy for sure, and not in the right ways. I work hard to keep the body I have now, but Violet’s donuts aren’t something I can pass up. I’ll just add a mile to the tally later.
I moan as the cherry cream hits my tongue mingled with the chocolate glaze of the donut.
“You know it’s a lot better when I’m the reason for that moan.” He pouts, pushing Fi into the middle so he can join us on the swing.
“Technically without you I wouldn’t have a chocolate cherry donut. So, really, it is because of you.” I swipe at the corner of my mouth to get the cherry cream off my lip with my tongue.
He throws his head back laughing. “I’ll take the credit, Sunshine.”
He pulls his phone out of his pocket and frowns.
“What’s the matter?”
“Mr. Bardeau wants to meet in five minutes on a call. He said he has some news for us.”
“Already? What do you think it is?” I frantically unlock my phone, looking for the website I just found with a timeline for custody cases.
“I don’t think it could be bad. We haven’t even served them yet, and they don’t know I have a lawyer.”
I don’t look at him, I just keep scrolling, looking for what I want.
Bingo.
