Roman’s gaze bounced from his brother to me before he offered a soft smile.
“I know Ben told you how sorry I am, but I need to tell you myself. There are many things I’ve done I regret, but not stopping to listen to you that day hits the top of the list. It’s something I can never make right. I’ll always hate how I spoke to you and where that led.”
“Thank you, Roman.” I sucked in a shaky breath. “Let’s put it behind us, all right? Like you said, it’s not something we can change or make right. Dwelling on it will get us nowhere.”
Ben made a disgruntled sound. “You’re making me look bad with all this maturity and forgiveness.”
I slipped my arm around him to rub his back. “It’s a little easier for me. I’ve had Katty with me this whole time. You’ll get there when you get there.”
He groaned. “See? There you go again. You’re really making me look bad.”
Roman chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’m not expecting maturity out of you.”
Ben flipped him off. “Did your wife not remind you you’re on thin ice?”
Before anyone could answer, little feet pounded down the hall and Jonah launched himself at Roman’s legs. “Daddy!”
Roman scooped him up, nuzzling his cheek. “Hey, buddy. You smell like muffins.”
Katty stood to the side, tiny hands on her hips. “Jonah, that’s not your daddy—that’s mine—” She turned to Ben, then back to Roman, confusion melting into distress. Her bottom lip poked out, trembling.
I knew what was coming. “Katty, honey, this is Uncle Roman. He’s your dad’s twin. They look just alike.”
Her eyes filled instantly. “But…but…where’s my dad?”
This time, Ben didn’t panic at the sight of his crying daughter. Instead, he got down on his knees, allowing her to see him, and pulled her into his arms.
“Right here, sweetheart. I’m right here.”
He told her there was nothing to be afraid of. He was here and always would be. And he let her have her big feelings while he held her through them.
I rubbed my chest and looked away, finding Roman watching them. He must’ve felt my gaze, because he looked up and gave me a wobbly smile. Then he swiped at his eyes with the back of his hand.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
I gestured toward my daughter and her father. “Look at them. There’s nothing to be sorry about.”
And I meant it.
We couldn’t change how we’d gotten to this moment, but we were here, right where we were supposed to be.
Chapter Twenty-three
Ben
Mazzybentdownandkissed Katty’s head. “Be good, okay?”
“I will.” She leaned into my side, barely taking her eyes off the TV. I liked that she wasn’t concerned in the least her mom was about to leave her alone with me.Iwas nervous about doing bedtime on my own, but I was pretty sure I could handle it.
If Kat refused to go to sleep, however, I’d probably cave—especially if she brought on the waterworks. All my girl had to do was stick her bottom lip out, and I was a goner.
Mazzy began to straighten, and I caught her wrist. “What about me?”
She cocked her head. “You?”
“Aren’t you going to tell me to be good?”
She chuffed. “It would be a waste of breath.”
