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“You can’t leave!” Riley wails.
“Riley,” I huff.
“No, if she goes, she won’t come back. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Crouching, I pull my daughter close.
“That is enough. What has gotten into you?”
“Max said that when his dad got a girlfriend, he spent all his time with her, and then they got married, and Max doesn’t see his dad anymore.” Riley’s shoulders shake as she cries. “I don’t want you to leave me.”
“Baby, I’m not going anywhere,” I promise sternly.
“Max said that I should be mean, and then Shelby wouldn’t like you anymore, but now she’s leaving and never coming back. Just like Mommy.”
My heart stills at her words. Scooping her up, I hug my baby girl close.
“I am never leaving you,” I repeat.
“Me neither, muffin.” Shelby joins, stroking Riley’s back. “I’m not your daddy’s girlfriend.”
“But even if she was, Shelby will always love you, and nothing will change that,” I add. After all, I have every intention of marrying Shelby within the next year—right after I get her pregnant.
It takes a good five minutes and many reassurances that Shelby doesn’t hate her and that I will never leave before my sweet girl finally calms.
Her hiccup breaths break my heart.
“How about we stop listening to Max Newman?”
Riley nods, her little head rubbing against my shoulder where it rests.
“How about I warm some food up for you?” Shelby offers. “You hungry, baby?” she whispers, stroking my daughter’s cheek. “You didn’t eat much earlier.”
Riley shakes her head, and a second later, her shoulders shake when she starts to cry again.
“Shh,” I soothe.
My little girl reaches for Shelby, and before I can deny her, my future wife pulls my daughter from my arms and into her own.
“It’s okay. We’re okay. You and I can have a cuddle while we watch your dad warm his own food up. How’s that sound?”
Riley makes a sound of approval.
Stroking her hair, I drop two kisses on the back of her head. Pulling back, I tilt my head and dip down a second time to quickly press my lips to Shelby’s.
Her wide eyes meet mine. Our secret is safe with my daughter facing the other way.
My girl has no idea that this is our second secret. But she will . . . eventually.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Leonard
The sound of snoring stirs me. Blinking, it takes a few minutes for my brain to catch up with where I am.
On the sofa with my family.
The rest of our Friday evening was spent watching films and cuddling.
