Page 125 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

Bently gave a nod and stood. “Thanks for the hot chocolate. Have yourselves a good day.”

Bella saw him to the door. Nash’s lungs felt stiff. He shot to his feet, anxious energy pulsing inside him. He needed to move, to escape. To forget. Fuck!

He walked over to the cupboard above the fridge and pulled out the bottle of whiskey, setting it on the counter with shaking hands.

“Nash?” Bella’s sweet voice reached out to him like a lifeline, and he wanted to go to her but what was the point? He’d just hurt her more. She needed to stay away from him.

No. I can’t push her from me again.

He picked up the bottle and slammed it down into the sink. It cracked, the bottom breaking off entirely as the amber liquid spilled down the drain.

He ran both hands over his face, his shoulders hunched over. With his eyes burning, he turned to her, palms held out. “I wasn’t there for her when she needed me.”

Bella’s lips turned into a frown and her expression filled with sympathy he didn’t deserve. “You think it was your fault still?”

He nodded and then shook his head. “Fuck. I don’t know anymore. All I know is I don’t want to ever fail you when you need me.” Nash stepped closer and cupped her face in his hands like he was holding the most precious thing in the universe—because he was. “I’ve made so many mistakes in my life. I have a lot to make up for, with you especially. And I’m trying.” His voice broke.

Bella’s arms surrounded him as she pulled him into a hug so tight he wasn’t sure who was holding who. “I see that. I know you are. You’re a good man, Nash Emerson. And you will get through this—we will. Together.”

He looked down at her, tipping her chin to look her in the eyes. “What did I do to deserve you?”

She offered him a smile. “You were brave enough to take a chance and do something different, remember? You took the steps that would lead you someplace different. We just found each other along the way.”

“I really want to kiss you right now,” he said.

“So do it.” She lifted on tiptoes. His arms dropped to her waist as he leaned in and brought his lips to hers. She smelled so sweet, roses and hot chocolate with a hint of snow. Her warm mouth melded against his and his cock hardened. But this moment wasn’t about lust. She brought him comfort and hope for a better future. With Bella, all his dreams and then some were possible. Life meant more when it was shared with her.

They would get through this day by day, together. And he’d earn her complete trust, mind, body, and soul. Only then would he ask Bella for her forever too. Because he’d become the man she deserved if it was the last thing he did. And he’d spend every day being worthy of her love.

55

ISABELLA

One Month Later

“Thank you for coming.” Isabella smiled and gave her mother a hug in the crowded kitchen of the home she and Nash shared. The rest of his family gathered around to show their support.

“Of course.” Her mother turned to Nash, not quite meeting his eyes. “My condolences.”

Nash leaned against the kitchen counter, sliding his arm around Isabella’s waist, his large hand resting on her belly as it did most days. Like he subconsciously needed to reassure himself everything was alright. She got the feeling that today of all days, at the official funeral for Anastasia, he needed something to ground him.

Isabella was happy to be there for him. True to his word, Nash hadn’t turned back to alcohol.

“Thanks,” Nash said.

Her father cleared his throat, flicking a look to her mother.

“And I wanted to let you know that I appreciate all you’ve done for my daughter and grandson. I’m . . . glad they have someone else watching over them,” her mother said.

That was as close to an apology from Catherine Noveas as anyone would get.

Nash nodded. “I will do everything in my power to keep them safe.”

Her dad patted Eli’s shoulder. “Well, I’ll see you on Friday for our sleepover.”

“Okay, Abuelo.” Eli walked to the living room and organized the chess board as Roman sat across from him with Ariel in his lap.

Her father helped her mom get her coat on before they left.

---