Page 123 of Love Me Again

“She’s such a Daddy’s girl. Hey, what about me?” Shayla pouts, puckering her lips, and Alaia smiles at her, shaking her head. I laugh out loud and kiss Alaia’s head.

“Daddy’s little princess, come here.” I lift her out of her chair and sit her on the table in front of me.

“This baby better be a boy,” Shayla grumbles, sitting back and rubbing her stomach. "I'll show both of you.”

“Stick your tongue out at Mummy,” Alaia pokes her tongue, mimicking me, and I grin when Shayla throws a sugar sachet at my head. “That’s my baby!” I growl, nuzzling her neck, making her giggle. Alaia’s becoming more and more interactive with us, and I love it. She’s crawling and pulling herself up to stand and gets all excited when you praise her for doing something. She’s just growing into her own little personality now, and it's adorable.

“What if we have another girl?” Shayla asks, resting her chin in her hand while she watches Alaia and I play.

“Good, I hope we do. I’d love another girl.” I tell her earnestly, and Shayla blinks. A look of surprise fleets across her beautiful face.

“Really? I thought you would want a boy.” I shake my head, looking at her over Alaia’s head.

“I don’t mind what we have as long as he or she is healthy, but I love the idea of being a girl Dad,” I explain, and Shayla smiles adoringly at me. “A boy doesn’t need a Dad much, but a daughter will always need her father.”

“Why are you so darn cute?” Shayla asks with a sigh, and I smile, resting my chin on Alaia’s shoulder, looking into her eyes.

“Could ask you the same thing, Buttercup.” I quip, and Shayla rolls her eyes.

“You’re really not letting that nickname go, are you?” She huffs, sitting back in her chair. I laugh and shake my head.

“Not a chance.”

“Excuse me?” Shayla and I look up at the young girl with blonde hair and grey eyes who timidly approaches our table.

“Yes?” I ask with a frown, but she was looking directly at Shayla. I didn’t like the look in her eyes.

“I’m so sorry to bother you, but you’re Shayla Hoult, right?” She questions, her eyes narrowing as she looks between Shayla and me. Shayla casts me a wry look before she nods and looks at the young girl standing before her.

“Yes...” Shayla replies cagily. I pull Alaia closer to me, my eyes watching this strange girl's every move.

“I just wanted to say thank you.” I watch them closely. Shayla looks at her, confused.

“For what?” She questions, turning her body in her chair to face the girl who casts a look at me before she looks at Shayla again.

“Um, I saw your interview on TV, talking about what happened to you.” Shayla’s shoulders were tense as she looks at the girl standing before her. She couldn’t be older than sixteen or seventeen. “I was being abused by my stepbrother.” She adds in a flurry, and Shayla releases a shaky breath. “I was too scared to say anything in fear of him hurting me more than he already was.” She explains, dropping her gaze to her feet as though she were ashamed, a look I've seen on Shayla many times. “But listening to you tell your story and how you chose to fight instead of giving them the power to destroy you...” She sighs, a tear rolls down her pale cheek. “It gave me the courage to finally tell someone what he was doing to me. You saved my life, and I just wanted to say thank you.” Shayla stands up and gives the young girl a tight embrace.

“What’s your name, sweetie?”

“Hannah.” The girl cries into Shayla’s shoulder while she soothingly rubs her back till her sobs calmed and she pulls Hannah to sit at the table.

“Hannah, I’m proud of you for finding the courage to open up. It’s incredibly hard and scary, I know, but you did it. Did they arrest him?” Hannah nods, brushing away her tears with the back of her hand. “Good. You’re safe now, and it’s going to take time to find yourself again, but you will, I promise. It does get better. Just remember not to close yourself off because you can drown in that dark loneliness, and the voices in your head telling you that you’re not good enough or that you’re not worthy will kill you slowly every day. Don’t let it.” Shayla explains, brushing her fingers through her blonde hair. “You're going to be okay.”

“Thank you so much. I’m such a huge fan of yours.” She sniffles, and Shayla smiles, lifting her head so she could meet her eyes.

“Well, now you’re my friend. Keep that beautiful head up, and don’t you ever let it fall for anyone. Okay?” Shayla expresses warmly and hugs her once more after Hannah nods. She looks over at me and smiles shyly when I wink at her. “He’s hot, right?” Shayla whispers, leaning toward her, and Hannah blushes profusely. “It’s okay. You can say hi.” She assures her, and Hannah lifts her gaze to me again and smiles.

“Hi Hannah,” I hold my hand out to her, and she hesitates but takes it, her fingers trembling in mine. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Um, you too.” She whispers and looks over at her friends, who were all looking over at us and whispering.

“Would you like to take a selfie with him?” Shayla asks, and Hannah’s eyes go wide, but she shakes her head.

“Actually. Can I have one with...you?”

Shayla’s brows rise in surprise, and she looks at me and smirks. “Wow, you hear that, Lord Hoult. She wants a selfie with me.” She teases playfully, and I laugh heartily.

“Too right, you’re more of an idol than I will ever be, baby.” I tell her earnestly, and she smiles dotingly back at me, reaching out to caress my jaw.

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