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“I was … hurt. The things that Chloe said cut real deep, and I wasn’t ready to hear them.”
He tilted her head back, and his thumb ran across her lips. “All this time you’ve thought I stepped out on you.”
“You did.”
“Only after you told me no. Every single time you told me we didn’t have a chance, and that you didn’t want anything to do with me, then I’d go with someone else.” He sighed. “I’m not a cheater, Mol. I’ve only ever wanted you.”
Tears filled her eyes as she thought about the time that had been wasted between them, all because of her.
He leaned in close. “I’m not going to waste another moment with you. You’re mine, Molly Tatum. You have been since the first moment I asked you out, and you know what?”
“What?”
“I’ve been yours as well. You may not see it yet, but you own me. I’m not going anywhere.” He slammed his lips down on hers, and she wrapped her arms around him, needing him close. Heat filled her body as the hand on her stomach moved up, cupping one of her breasts. He pinched her nipple, and she teased the hair at the base of his neck. “Fuck me, you make me want to take you right here and now.” He pulled away from the kiss moving down to her ear where he whispered the words. “Are you wet for me right now?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want my dick?”
She closed her eyes. “Yes.” She was so wet and ready for him.
Only when she heard the excited squeal of their kids did they both pull away, and Dale looked at her with a groan. “This is going to be torture.” He kissed her one final time. “Drawer where the knives and forks are.”
Her voice wouldn’t work, so she pointed it out as she grabbed the bread from the oven.
He hadn’t been with Chloe.
It had all been lies.
So much wasted time, and now she felt like a fool.
Even before Chloe had told her what had happened, Molly had been aware of her hatred of her. She’d never understood it. All she’d been was a member of the cheering squad. She didn’t care for the parties, so when she’d been able to, she always made her excuses. Her studies had meant a great deal to her. Then of course when it came to Dale, he’d been her biggest weakness. She’d wanted him, and so had Chloe.
Carrying the lasagna into the dining room, she saw Dale already had Sasha and Luke sitting at the table. Her son licked his lips, making her chuckle.
They sat down to eat like a real family, and she found herself touched to finally be able to call themselves that. As they finished their food, she excused herself to head into the kitchen to compose herself. She’d always wanted to be a family.
Everything that she’d done and that had brought them to this moment had all been for the best of them, but now she was starting to doubt that. Chloe had hurt her in high school, and because of that, Molly had turned Dale down. From that moment, it had changed the course of both of their lives. From the discussion she’d heard where he said he didn’t want kids, to now. So much time lost. Six years that they would never get back, and even as she mourned that time, she knew there was no way to change the past, but they could change their future.
She took a deep breath and gasped as Dale placed his hands on her shoulders.
“It’s okay.” He pressed a kiss to her neck.
Spinning in his arms, she hugged him tightly. “You can move in,” she said. He’d been wanting to do that for some time, but she always held back.
“What?”
“If you still want to move in, you can.” She pulled away, cupping his face. “Are you ready for that?”
“I’m more than ready. I’ve been ready for a long time.” He stroked her cheek. “I’ve got a few conditions though.”
She rolled her eyes teasingly. “I figured you would.”
“I’m not taking the couch or the spare bedroom. I sleep in your bed, nowhere else.”
“Okay. What else?”
“Trey and June have offered to take the kids so that we can have a short vacation together. I want you to consider it.”
She was aware of what June and Trey had offered. “I’ve never been away from them.”
“You and I have never really had the chance to get to know one another. I want that without any children interrupting us. I love them, Molly. I love you as well, and I feel that our chance has been lost. I don’t want to lose another moment.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
“Is that an okay you’ll think about it, or an okay you’ll do it?”
“It’s an okay I’ll do it. It will have to be after this weekend though. June’s arranged for Aria to come in and practice. I think she’s hoping to take over when June’s pregnant,” she said.
For the first time in a long time, she actually had some hope.
****
Trey and June had both agreed to have Sasha and Luke for one week. That was all Molly wanted. She didn’t want to be away from them for any length of time. The truth was, neither did he. He spent the rest of the week moving his stuff into her home, and she’d gotten him a key made. His nights were now spent looking forward to going home, and she’d included him in their favorite meal night. So on Thursday they had steaks. Sasha let him know that at any time he changed his mind, Mommy also allowed that.
To him it felt strange to be a father. He’d watched her around town. First when she was pregnant, then when Sasha came along, and he’d wondered what it would be like to be the father of her baby. He knew he was, but to actually be acknowledged, now that was another thing.
Of course, a lot of people in town were still pissed at him, and often ignored him now to speak to Molly. He didn’t mind. Even though Molly was constantly telling them that Dale had tried to do the right thing, he’d told her to stop. The people wanted to believe what they believed, and if they wanted to paint him as the bad guy, he didn’t care. All that mattered was what Molly and his kids thought.
“What are we all staring at?” he asked as he joined Max and Trey outside the tattoo parlor, staring across the street toward the bakery. He caught sight of Molly, Sasha, and Luke, and he was about to wander over there when Max grabbed his arm.
“Aria’s in there,” Max said.
“So? My family is in there.”
“Yeah, well, June has given us orders not to go inside. She doesn’t want Aria distracted.”
“Then why is the shop still open?” he asked, watching as Molly served a customer. She still wore the ring that he’d given her, and even though he’d been tempted to ask her to marry him, he’d also known that would be a huge mistake.
Baby steps.
They’d made big ones the past week. He’d moved in, and his nights were now spent with her in his arms.
“June’s orders, but we’re not allowed to interfere,” Trey said. “I was the one to tell her she needed to get a new baker in. She wanted to keep on going through her pregnancy. I had to get the doctor to warn her of the risks of lifting heavy ingredients. It’s not like she uses small bags of flour. Nope, she lifts big ones.” Trey showed them with his arms how large they were.
Dale tried not to laugh. His friend had fallen hard and fast for June. It had been a struggle seeing as they all had a history of not being very nice to her.
Max kept staring across the street, and he nudged him. “You want to say hi to Aria? Apologize to her?”
“I’m good. Do you think her hair is natural?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t pay enough attention to her when I was in high school,” Trey said. “I’m heading back inside.” Trey entered the parlor, while Dale and Max stood staring across the street.
“I’m happy for you and Molly,” Max said. “I know I’m an asshole, but she really deserves some happiness. You both do.”
“Thanks, man.”
Max slapped him on the back. “You’re welcome.”
“You like Aria, don’t you?”
“I don’t know her, man. I’ve got to head out for a bit.” M
ax turned in the opposite direction and left.
Rubbing his chin, Dale frowned. This was the first time that Max had ever left a possible challenge. Something was going on between him and Aria. He didn’t know what it was, but he was going to find out.
Moving across the street, he entered the bakery. His stomach began to growl the moment he inhaled the sweet and savory scents of baking.
