I’d do absolutely anything for her if she asked.Anything.
There is nothing Nina can say to me that I haven’t already heard or thought about myself. Her words might have hurt me before, but I know the steps I’m taking to make myself a better person.
We get Skye inside, and I take her out of the pram before removing her coat, hat, and gloves. She makes a hiccuping sound, and I tremble at the way she looks up at me. I hold her to my chest as I rock her from side to side.
Maya approaches me. “Shall I put her down?”
“In a bit.” She peeks her head over my arm to look at Skye. “She definitely loves being held by you.”
“That’s good,” I exhale with fulfillment in my soul.
After a few minutes, I place Skye in her crib and enter the living room at the same time Nina leaves her bedroom with a suitcase. My brows pinch together at the sight as Maya clocks on.
“Where are you going?” Maya asks.
“To Danielle’s,” she murmurs. “I can’t stay here, as I’ve been asked to work from home more often now the office is having refurbishments, and it’s too much with you and Skye and everything else.”
Hurt slashes across Maya’s face as if she’s the problem.
“Nina—”
“No.” She raises a hand and huffs out a sigh. “It’s for the best. You stay here, and you can help pay the rent. That way I’ll be outof your hair, and we won’t ruin our relationship any more than it already is.”
“B-but I can’t afford the rent.” Maya’s voice sounds strangled. “Not on my own.”
Nina shrugs. “Not my problem. You want somewhere to live, then you contribute.”
“Wait, Nina—” she steps forward as she wheels her suitcase across the living room. “Let’s just talk this out.”
“I can’t do this, Maya.” Nina runs a hand through her hair. “I can’t. And maybe this is what you need, some time with Skye. Alone. I’ll text you if anything changes.”
Then she’s gone, and the silence around us is deafening.
“Fuck,” Maya heaves as she presses her fingers to her forehead. “Oh fuck, fuck, fuck.”
I walk towards her slowly and rest a hand on her shoulder. “It’s gonna be okay.”
“How?” she exclaims, turning to me with red eyes. “I can’t afford the rent, Finn. I can’t afford to do anything.”
“I’ll help,” I say without hesitation.
“I can’t ask that of you.”
“Well, when you go back to university to start studying, I’ll be here a lot more, and I’ll contribute because that’s what a father should do. It’s the bare minimum.”
“But—”
“No. Do not fight me on this. Do not even dare.”
She blinks at me with fear in her eyes. “Everything is falling apart.”
“No,” I whisper and tug her towards me instinctively, how I would any time she’s overwhelmed or upset. “I know it’s the last thing you want to hear, but you have me. I’m gonna be here.”
Maya’s fingers curl into the back of my hoodie, and she sinks her face deep into my chest, inhaling as if she’s trying to commit my scent to memory. I close my eyes and enjoy her warmth,having her this close; it might be the only time I do. Regardless of what she says, I know in my heart there will never be anyone else.
There never was from the day I met her.
Maya pulls away from me and wipes her eyes.
