I walk over to Bee to pick her up, and Miles stops me.
“I’ve got her,” he whispers. “She’s lighter for me. You can get Gizmo,” he grins.
“Thanks, I’m honored,” I mumble.
Miles laughs softly as I gently remove my daughter’s arm from the snoring dog and scoop him up. His tongue laps my cheek, and I smile at his goofy demeanor. He definitely grows on you and becomes cuter in his own Gizmo way.
I watch Miles gently pick up my daughter, and her little arms immediately wrap around his neck. She snuggles against his shoulder, and my heart flutters at the sight. He lightly rubs her back, and seeing her little body against this big guy covered in tattoos as he gently puts her back to sleep, does something deep inside of me.
“Miles…” she says sleepily. I’m shocked she knows exactly who’s holding her when they only met today.
He just smiles, though, and runs his hand down her soft brunette curls.
“Yes, little bee?” My heart hammers in my chest as I swallow past the lump in my throat. It’s the same nickname I use for her.
“Make sure to cuddle with Gizmo tonight. It makes him feel safe and helps him sleep.”
“I’ll be sure to do that, sweetheart,” he says softly.
“Good,” she says, drifting off to sleep again.
His eyes meet mine, and so many questions and feelings hang in the air. It would be as easy as breathing to fall for him. I can’t let myself do that so easily, though. Not until I know for sure he’s ready to have both of us in his life. He’s used to the party life and being able to do what he wants when he wants. I know we have this insane physical attraction and like each other, but it’s not enough for me. Not anymore.
I deserve someone who can give their whole heart to me, and not just when it’s convenient for them to do so. I won’t settle for anything less.
For me or for Bee.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
MILES
How can something so small squeeze your heart so tightly? Her little breaths fan my skin as I walk to their jeep parked outside. She knew exactly who was holding her. I don’t know how, but we’ve already formed this connection, and I feel it in the depths of my soul. It’s a deep knowing that we were supposed to meet. I felt it when I met Olivia, and I feel it now with Bee.
I gently put her in the car seat and secure her before sliding behind the wheel. Gizmo happily sits on Olivia’s lap as she strokes his fur.
Lucky little bastard.
He cocks his head at me as if he can read my mind.
“Where to?” I ask, breaking the silence and turning the ignition.
She gives me the instructions, and I recognize the neighborhood. It’s close to where Ryder and Eve live.
It’s silent in the car as we drive through town, both of us lost in our thoughts. I glance over at her, and she’s gazing out the window with a faraway look in her eyes. I wish I knew what the hell she was thinking. I don’t miss the way she looks at mewhenever I’m near her daughter. There’s a longing and a sadness there that breaks my heart to see. I also see the fear. A huge part of me is afraid she’ll never let me in. She’s settled in this nice, safe cocoon of hers that she’s wrapped her and Bee in, and I’m not sure she’s ready to let anyone else in.
I pull into her driveway and start to smile at the cute yellow house with flowers planted all along the front porch and various pots overflowing with blooms. It looks just like the two of them, and I can easily picture them side by side as Olivia helps Bee put the flowers in the containers.
I get out and carefully lift Bee out of her car seat before following Olivia up the stairs. The inside is just as cute and homey as I take in the pictures of the two of them scattered about and various artworks made by Bee hanging on the fridge.
She sets down Gizmo, and he happily walks around like he owns the place before sprawling on the rug with his legs in the air. Laughing softly, she leads me down a short hallway and stops in front of one of the doors. A mermaid sign hangs on the door withBee’s Roomwritten on the tail.
It’s the most adorable room I’ve ever seen. The white walls have pink mermaids with various pink coral and shells strategically placed on each wall. The ceiling is pale blue, and her little nightlight shines on it, giving the illusion of being underwater as the soft light dances around the room.
Olivia pulls back the pink bedding, and I gently lay her down before pulling the covers over her. She snuggles down on her side, clutching the worn puppy to her chest. I hesitate briefly before brushing back her soft curls and kissing her forehead.
I turn and see Olivia standing in the doorway. Her eyes meet mine, and I can tell she’s fighting back tears as she rapidly tries to blink them away before she turns and quickly walks away.
Leaving the door slightly ajar, I head back out into the kitchen and spot her blonde hair blowing in the breeze outside. She’s sitting on a swing under the big oak in her yard.
