Page 136 of Worth the Risk

He’s seriously trying to get off on a technicality.

“Technically, what did you tell her?”

He smiles sheepishly. He knows I got him.

“I told her it would be a pony, not a horse.”

Chuckling, I say, “Leo, you must stop giving her everything she asks for. You’re spoiling her.”

“I know,” he says solemnly. “It’s my way of making up for lost time.”

Raising his face to mine, I say, “You in her life is the only thing she needs.”

He smiles lovingly at me, but the apartment intercom buzzes, ending our conversation. It’s the doorman informing us that Nash is here. Leo tells him to allow him up and put him on the list for future visits.

After that, he puts his hands on the kitchen counter and stares at nothing.

Walking over to him, I hug him from behind, knowing this won’t be easy for him. There’s a big part of Leo that misses his friendship with Nash, especially now that he knows it ended because of Amber’s lies. He believes he has a lot to own up to, but he doesn’t. Amber did this. We were just pawns in her game.

There’s a knock on the door, and I leave him to answer it, opening the door to Nash and a suitcase.

“Am I allowed to give you a hug hello, or will tough guy over there try swinging at me again?” he jokes while doing a chin nudge in Leo’s direction.

I laugh and give him a quick hug.

Behind me, Leo jokes, “What? You haven’t seen me in five years, and you have no hug for me?”

“You’ll be lucky if I don’t return the favor and clock you one,” Nash jests, but there is some underlying truth.

I glance at Leo. He’s smiling, not concerned about it.

Nash comes through the doorway just as Riley comes out of her room.

“Hey, kiddo, how have you been?” Nash asks when he sees her.

“Nash,” she squeals and runs over to hug him around the legs. He pats her back. Leo watches their interaction. He knows Nash has seen Riley over the years and has had the opportunity to watch her grow. Leo didn’t. But seeing them together with his own eyes has brought another reality to it.

My poor man missed so much, and as sad as I am for him, my anger grows for that bitch, Amber.

Nash must be able to read Leo’s demeanor as well. There’s pity in his eyes for him. He realizes Leo never wanted exclusion from Riley’s life.

“Want to see my princess room?” Riley asks Nash.

I jump in, knowing it’s important for Leo and Nash to talk. “Sweetie, how about we let Daddy talk to Nash? He can see it tomorrow. It’s close to bedtime anyway. Say your goodnights.”

“Night, Nash.” She gives him a fist bump.

“Goodnight, Riley.”

Sprinting for Leo, Riley jumps into his arms, bringing a smile back to his face. He places a kiss on her forehead. “Goodnight, Princess.”

“Goodnight, best daddy in the whole world who’s going to buy me a pony,” she says, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Snapping his eyes up to mine, I shake my head. If he hadn’t already told me, she would have ratted him out.

I hope he knows never to expect her to keep a secret.

Taking Riley out of his arms, I stand on my toes to give him a quick kiss before heading for Riley’s room.

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