Page 64 of Toxic

"Trust is earned."

I grind my molars then question, "Have I harmed you in any way over the last twenty years? After you got with Sean...?"

She stiffens then slowly shakes her head. "No."

"Okay. Then at some point, you're going to have to rely on that instead of the dickhead version of who I was to you when we were in school."

She releases an anxious breath as guilt fills her expression.

I slide my hands to her cheeks. "Why don't you try giving me your trust tonight. Let's start there."

Her eyes turn to slits. "When you have something planned for me that I know nothing about?"

I chuckle. "Yep. Be the carefree, spontaneous Bridget you used to be. Forget about everything else for the next few hours."

"But what are you going to make me do?" she asks, but her tone has turned playful instead of worried like before.

I press my lips to hers again then answer, "If I told you, it wouldn't be a good test of your new trust in me, now would it?"

She hesitates but then nods. "Okay. You get my full trust for a few hours."

"Great." I wrap my arm around her and push her head to my chest then kiss the top of her hair. "Has anything gotten better with the kids?"

"No. Same hostility as usual."

"Give them some time. They'll come around."

She glances up at me. "You keep saying that as if there's no chance they won't."

"Because I know your kids. And I know you, Bridge. You're a good mom, and they love you. Just give it some time."

"My father is insisting I go to your father's Christmas party this year."

I smile. "Good. It's about time you returned to the festivities."

Fear fills her eyes. "The O'Malleys are all going to be there."

"You have to face them at some point."

"I know," she quietly says.

I tighten my arms around her. "Don't worry. I'll protect you."

She straightens. "That's all I need—the O'Malleys to see me with you."

My chest tightens, and my heart beats harder. "Do you think you're supposed to be alone forever, dolcezza?"

She scrunches her face and looks toward the window, not answering my question.

I lower my voice. "It's been five years. You deserve to be happy."

Her glistening eyes meet mine. "Then why does it feel so wrong?"

I tuck a lock of her hair behind her ear. "I don't know. But eventually, it'll fade and feel right."

The driver's door slams shut. I glance outside then turn back to Bridget. "You ready?"

Her eyes widen. "You're taking me to a country bar?"

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