Page 115 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

“I didn’t look at it like that. But it wouldn’t be the same—I love her. I want to be with her and have a family together. Is it so bad I want to give her things? Protect her?”

“No, it isn’t, Nash. But you made it sound like those were the only reasons. You forgot the most important piece of the proposal—telling her how you feel,” Nova answered.

“But I screwed it all up. I abandoned her and I wasn’t there when she needed me. And there’s no way she could love me back—not now.”

“Oh my God, you’re an idiot.” Roman sighed.

Nash glared at him. “How so?”

“Blind as a bat,” Ricky agreed.

“You’re saying she loves me too?”

“Man, you’re a little slow on the uptake. Must have been from Ma dropping you on your head as a baby so much,” Ricky teased.

“Who else would put up with your grumpy self for so long? She defended you even when none of us knew you were the supposed baby daddy who’d left her high and dry. And she moved in with you—God knows that takes a special kind of woman, to put up with you that much,” Roman said.

“And I know there was a lot more to her glow than just pregnancy—not that we need to go into those details.” Nova held up her hand as she grimaced.

“Nash, don’t be a dumbass and waste your second chance.” Roman’s voice wavered with emotion. He was no doubt thinking of his own situation with his wife.

“Would you do it?” Nash asked.

Pain flashed in Roman’s dark eyes before he nodded. “I’d like to think so. But I don’t have just me to think about. Ariel is my number one priority—besides, we’re not talking about me here. We’re talking about you.”

“What’s holding you back?” Nova asked, her eyes narrowing on him.

Nash took a deep breath and then let it out. “What if I’m not enough? What if something happens and I lose her too after I get even more attached?”

Roman clapped a hand on his back. “What if you stay stubborn and carry on like you have been, keeping everyone at arm’s length and being miserable? Is that a life you want? Yes, something could happen tomorrow and you could lose her. So why not make the best out of today? No regrets.”

Nash rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “You’re right.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hear you. Can you say that again?” Roman smirked.

Nash chuckled. “You’re right. You’re all obnoxiously right. Happy?”

Nova sat beside him on the other side of the bed, leaning on his shoulder. “We’ll be happy when you are, big brother. That’s what we’ve always wanted for you.”

He kissed her temple and hugged her close. “Thank you, guys, for sticking with me even though I’ve been a total asshole.”

“You can always make it up to us . . .” Ricky’s eyes flashed with mischief.

“How so?”

“Tell us how you plan on winning our girl back,” Nova answered.

“I think it’s time I told her the truth about everything . . . my past and how I feel about her.”

“Not to knock on your plan, but I mean, you’ve been a complete egghead for the past week. You might need to do something else, you know, to prove to her she’s your lobster,” Nova said.

Nash flicked a questioning glance to his brothers who looked just as stumped as he was. “Uh, I doubt calling her a crustacean is the way to go if I want to win her over.”

Nova rolled her eyes again. “You know what? Never mind. Just . . . good luck.”

“I have something I need to do first.” Nash got up and headed for his office.

“Yeah, definitely shower and brush your teeth before you go,” Ricky agreed.

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