Page 6 of Give Me a Reason

I asked Naomi to marry me when she found out she was pregnant, but she’d wisely said no. She said she didn’t love me, and I knew I wasn’t capable of long-term commitment. I had my parents to thank for that.

Marriage was nothing more than a legal piece of paper that contractually bound you to someone else. My intention was to protect Naomi and Paisley, so I shared custody, paid generous amounts of child support, maintained good health insurance, and co-parented like a boss.

I opened the door just as Paisley launched herself at me. I lifted her, her curls falling around my face. “I missed you, baby girl.”

She lifted to see my face, a huge smile spreading over her face. “It’s been like two days.”

“That’s two days too long.” And that was the reason I’d wanted to marry Naomi, so I’d never have to be separated from her. I hated it, but I didn’t have a choice. We made it work and kept the upheaval to Paisley’s life minimal.

I let Paisley down, and she ran into the house, probably to turn on the TV for cartoons. She was used to me and her mother taking this time to discuss any issues that arose during the week.

“I wanted to talk to you about something,” Naomi said as I closed the door to the house and stepped onto the front porch. I sensed this was something she didn’t want to talk about in front of Paisley.

Naomi smiled. “Chris asked me to marry him.”

I had a feeling they’d be getting married soon. They’d been dating for several years. “That’s great. I’m happy for you.”

“I know how you feel about marriage,” Naomi said carefully, as if she were walking through a verbal minefield.

I shrugged as if it was no big deal. “I asked you to marry me.”

Naomi shot me a disbelieving look. “We both know that was out of a misguided sense of obligation.”

“You don’t know that,” I said stubbornly, even though it was partially true.

“Don’t I? I know what happened with your parents and you not believing in love.”

“That doesn’t mean it doesn’t work out for other people,” I said, the words falling like ash from my mouth. “I’m happy for you and Chris. I want the best for you guys.”

If Naomi was happy, that meant Paisley was too.

Then Naomi cringed. “I want to make sure you’re nothing but positive about it in front of Paisley.”

I bristled at that. “I wouldn’t say anything bad about you.”

She held up her hands. “I didn’t say you would. I just worry you’ll relay your negative feelings about love and relationships to her, maybe not even meaning to.”

“I don’t talk about that stuff in front of her.” It was rare for one of us to criticize the other. We respected each other’s parenting styles, but we kept the same schedule and discussed everything from discipline to food choices.

“I hoped you didn’t. I just—I don’t want our daughter growing up believing that love isn’t possible. It would be sad.”

“You think I’m sad?” At her uncomfortable expression, I dropped my head back.

She threw up her hands. “Are you dating anyone seriously?”

“No.” For the first time, I felt uncomfortable admitting that. Something fluttered in my chest, and my mind flashed to the moment with Aria in the hallway of the summerhouse. I’d felt something, but it wasn’t anything serious.

“I’m not going to ask if you’ve changed your mind about relationships because I’m sure you haven’t, and I don’t blame you. I just don’t want that relayed to Paisley.”

“I won’t.”

“Thank you.” Then Naomi relaxed and said, “We’re going to have a wedding, and I want her to be the flower girl.”

“You don’t need to clear it with me. Whatever you need, we’ll be there for you.”

“I guess a part of me wanted to make sure you’re okay with me and Chris. You did ask me to marry you once upon a time.” She smiled to soften her words.

“We both know it wouldn’t have worked out.”

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