She huffs, her cheeks pinking up. “Kylie.”
“Oh, sorry.” He smiles. “I’m on a date with my wife.”
“Wife?” Her cheeks darken and she flicks a glance at me. “I’m so sorry. I never would have come over if I knew.”
“But you knew I was on a date.” Caleb’s smile doesn’t waver.
“It was nice seeing you again.” She waves and almost runs in her eagerness to get away.
Caleb chuckles. But despite his hand on mine, and the way he ran her off, insecurity floods my system.
What if he’s caught up in nostalgia?
I’ve got nothing on her.
“Emma.” He gives my hand another squeeze. “I’ve lost you.”
I blink rapidly. “Sorry?”
“You’re inside your head again. How do I bring you back to me?”
“I …” I’m not sure what I can say. I know I drift off when I remember things or when I’m shrinking inside.
“I want you. Not anyone else on this planet. I didn’t marry you just to support you against your father. There’s such a strong connection between us, and I know you feel it too.”
Nodding, I grasp his hand back. “I do. I just don’t know whether this is going to work.”
“Why not?” His eyes search mine.
“Because you’ve clearly spent time with women like Kylie. And I’m …”
“You’re beautiful. You always have been. We lost so much time, but I’m determined that we never waste another moment.”
“But what if you change your mind?”
I’m not sure what it is that possesses me to finally voice my concern, but Caleb’s brows knit.
“You’re my girl, Emma. That’s never going to change. I’m not sure it ever did—even when we were apart.”
He’s saying all the right things. It’s unfair of me to doubt him. But I’ve spent years being run down, and I need to grow confident within myself before I can believe it.
“Please? Have faith in me. I won’t let you down.”
I let out a long breath and nod.
“You think you’re not beautiful to me?”
I shrug. “I’m obviously older than the women you’ve been dating.”
“You’re my age.” He pulls his chair closer to me. “I happen to love women my age. Or, one of them at least.”
I smile, despite myself. “It’s just … It’s been so long, and I’ve had babies.”
“You have, and one of them was mine. Do you have any idea how that makes me feel?”
I gaze into his eyes and shake my head.
“There’s such a big part of me that wishes they were all mine—hell, I think they are now.”
