Page 83 of If You Love Me
“I know, love. Just think on it. No pressure.”
I nodded as I sat back with a smile on my face. If I could get out of my head, this would be an amazing opportunity.
26
Tyrion
The last two weeks had been nothing short of a renewal in my life.
Things between Evenie and me were getting much better. The awkwardness that had been plaguing us since she got home was no longer. We were slowly working the intimacy back into our relationship. She allowed me to hug or kiss her or hold her hand. A few times, she and Summer Rose had spent the night during the week. While she had yet to sleep next to me, she was comfortable cuddling on the couch.
I would take that.
It felt like we were back in the beginning stages of our marriage. It wasn’t a bad thing. The beginning stages had been the best because we were still getting used to being husband and wife. We openly flirted with each other, and Summer found it cute. Every time we hugged or kissed, she had the biggest smile on her face. Sometimes she would stare at us with dreamy eyes, like she’d been waiting her whole life for this moment.
Today was Friday, and they were spending the whole weekend with me. While I was ready for them to come back home full time, I would take what I could get right now. The last thing I wanted was to pressure her when she wasn’t ready. I’d fucked up her confidence in me, and I had to be patient with her.
I pulled into the pickup line at Summer’s school and waited as it slowly moved. As I neared the front, I could see her waiting with Iona. Every day for the last two weeks, Iona had been on pickup duty. Most of the time, Summer wasn’t with the group that Iona waited with. When she was, she never said anything to me, just looked at me like I’d hurt her soul.
I pulled up to the loading area where she stood with Summer. The smile on her face dropped as she opened my passenger door to let my baby in. Our eyes met, and hers were cold and hard.
“Hi, Daddy!” Summer said, leaning over to kiss my cheek.
“Hey, princess. You had a good day?”
“Yes, sir.” She turned back to Iona. “Bye, Ms. Iona.”
“Bye, baby. Here, let me strap you in.”
She reached into the car and grabbed the seat belt to lock her in securely. When she was done, she kissed Summer’s forehead and gave her a small smile.
“I miss you so much,” she said, cupping her face. “Don’t forget about me, okay?”
“Iona,” I said firmly.
She ignored me. “I love you, Summer. Always remember that. Nobody can ever stop me from loving you.” She looked at me when she said that. “I’ll always watch over you.”
“Iona, close the door,” I said, firmer.
“Just give me a second!” she snapped. “You can’t just cut me out of her life all together, Tyrion. I was the only mother she knew for four—”
“Let me stop you right there. Summer has always had a mother. You were great with her. I appreciate that, and I willnever forget it, but we are not doing this in front of my child. Close. The. Door.”
She glared at me for a moment before easing out of the car and slamming the door shut. I sighed heavily as I pulled off. I could feel Summer’s eyes on me as I drove.
“What is it, baby?” I asked.
“Ms. Iona is really sad that you two aren’t getting married anymore.”
“I know, baby.”
“Are you two going to be friends?”
I thought for a moment about how I could explain that in a way she would understand.
“I don’t think so, baby. Sometimes, when you hurt people, even if it’s not intentional, there is no coming back from it. That’s where I am with Ms. Iona. I hurt her, and she hurt me. There is no way we could be friends after that. It doesn’t mean I don’t wish her well. I want her to be happy, but I’m not the person that can make her happy. My obligation is to you and mommy. That’s where I need to be. You understand that?”
She nodded. “I hope she finds happiness. Is it okay that I still love her?”
