Page 110 of Inspiring Izzy

"Ah," Steve leans against the door frame. "I see I will be sleeping under the same roof as your lover-slash-boss."

"You're observant," I give him a fake smile as I bend and grab Brady's shirt off the floor. I hand it to him and he quickly puts it back on.

"What does our daughter think about this little arrangement?" Steve motions between Brady and me.

"She's three," I remind him. "She probably doesn't give it much thought."

Brady stands next to me, his hand finding my lower back. I glance at him and give him a tight smile letting him know I can handle this on my own.

"I'll be downstairs if you need me," he says into my say.

"I'll be down shortly," I tell him as Steve steps out of the doorway and lets Brady through.

"That was awkward," Steve throws his thumb over his shoulder.

"Then maybe try making it less awkward by not calling Brady my lover-slash-boss."

"Isn't that what he is?" Steve challenges.

"I don't get it," I shake my head. "You didn't care what I was doing while I was married to you, but you suddenly care now?"

"You're bringing him around my daughter," Steve lets out a frustrated breath.

And it all clicks for me.

"You're worried Brianna's going to prefer Brady to you," I state.

"I wasn't around for her," Steve admits. "Then, you move on like it's a piece of cake. She spends more time with you, Iz. If you guys are serious, then that means she'll spend more time around him."

"You're her dad and no one is trying to take your place," I make clear. "I would never let that happen. I watched my own dad struggle with Ava and her stepdad. I know it's hard, Steve, and I know it's bound to bring up some unwanted emotions."

"How well do you even know this guy?" Steve huffs.

"He was..." I trail off. I don't want to talk to my ex-husband about my first and current love, but I need him to know that Brady's not some fling I'm going to get tired of. "Brady was my first love, Steve. He's the reason I went to San Diego."

Steve gapes at me. "Wh-why did you leave?"

"He was engaged to someone else," I shrug. "It was very complicated and I need you to not do the thing you do where you make a big deal out of nothing."

"He cheated on his fiance with you?"

"They were broken up when I met him," I explain.

"You never told me," Steve frowns.

"I—"

"No," he shakes his head. "I didn't mean that the way it came out. I meant it as you never told me about him because he was...you kept it hidden inside."

"It was too painful," I admit. "And I didn't want anyone to pity me."

"Are you happy?"

I smile. "Yeah."

"What happens if he hurts you again?"

"He won't," I defend Brady. "He's not the same person he was a decade ago."

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