Page 49 of Love Me Forever

After he left, Tyler came up next, along with Tate and Reese.

"So I couldn't help but eavesdrop," Tyler said, "and Dad is right."

I looked at the three of them. "Bonnie is still processing everything. I mean, hell,I'mprocessing everything, but she's going through it all. I'm just a bystander."

Her words still rang in my ears. She was right. We’d both made it clear we weren’t looking for anything serious, and we were still the same people. But I’d meant it when I told her that I did want to see her after she returned to Chicago.

I’d fucked things up by not contacting her, damn it. I’d gotten completely sidetracked with work. No wonder she wanted us to just be friends.

I’d never had a long-term relationship. There were a million ways for me to fuck one up. Maybe she was right—friendship was better.

"Not to mention, she was probably preparing to be a single mom," Reese said. Her voice dripped with disapproval.

"Exactly. She thought I didn't want to have any contact with her."

Reese winced. "Oh, Travis. I can only imagine what she went through. I want to talk to her. I want to make sure you're spoiling her from now on."

I grinned at my cousin. "That was the plan.”

“Which part?”

“To spoil herandput her in contact with you."

Reese smiled. "Good to know."

"I actually don't agree with Dad," Tate said.

"What?"

"Look, my first marriage didn’t work out, but we decided to stay together because of Paisley. It was a disaster. So, believe me when I say that trying to make a relationship work for the baby is not a good idea."

I'd never heard my brother talk so seriously.

"That's a sobering point of view."

Tyler looked around. “Declan is out of earshot, but I do think he has a point about sorting out the legal stuff."

I shook my head. "That isn't something I want to bring up with Bonnie right now."

"Since when are you so insensitive, Tyler?" Reese asked. "Don't put any ideas in his head. He's got a good head on his shoulders right now and great instincts. I thought I’d have to shield him from Declan, but it seems I have to do the same with you."

Tyler held up his hands in self-defense. "Was just trying to be helpful. By the way, when are you going to introduce her to us?"

"Soon, but obviously not to everyone at once," I replied. Looking at my cousin, I added, "I'll start with Reese.”

"Ha. I love you even more," she said. "Now, come on. I want to ask you a few things about Bonnie. Let's get some pizza."

I walked with her toward the table.

"Does she have any family here?"

"No, she came here for college, so she has friends, but her family isn't in the city."

"Oh, poor girl. So she's alone. I can definitely make a plan to spoil her." She looked up at me. "Do you need instructions on how to do that?"

I rolled my eyes. "No, thank you very much. I can come up with some ideas on my own."

"Just putting it out there, but I'm here for you if you ever want to brainstorm. Oh, I can imagine what Kimberly will have to say when I tell her."

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