Page 62 of Bittersweet Redemption

“I know that.” Of course he knows. Everyone knows I lied, but no one knows why.

I wrap my arms tighter around him so I can get this over with. “It was. . . It was Nick. He’s the one who robbed the store. Him and Jake. I was, I was the lookout. And when I heard the police coming, I panicked. They asked me what I saw, and my eyes instantly landed on you. I don’t know why. I’ve regretted it every day since. But after my mom died, Nick took me in. He was all I had. If he had gone to jail, I would’ve been alone again. And that terrified me more than anything. He told me we needed to steal so we could have money for a better life. I’m so sorry, Kai. Not a day goes by that I don’t wish I could take it all back. I don’t deserve you, and I know it.”

My tears are dripping onto his chest, but he doesn’t seem to care. When I think he’s going to push me away, he surprises me by pulling me closer.

“I had a feeling it was him,” he says calmly.

“You did?” I ask in-between sobs. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I wanted to hear it from you, Willa. I wanted you to tell me when you were ready. When you trusted me.”

“I know I should’ve told you sooner. I was scared, I don’t know, that you’d tell the police or have my son taken away or hate me even more than you already did.”

He pulls just enough away from me to tip my chin up to look at him. “I hate that you ever felt like you were alone. I would never do anything to hurt you, Willa. I may not have known that a few months ago, but now it’s so clear to me. You and I were always meant to be. Everything we’ve been through is what brought us here. I’m head over heels in love with you, Willa.” I suck in a breath at his words. “If you’ll let me, I’ll spend the rest of my life showing you and Roman what it’s like to be loved. You guys are my family now, and I’m so damn lucky.”

His thumb runs under my eye to wipe away my tears. “I love you so much, Kai. I don’t deserve you, but I’m so damn happy you gave us a chance.”

He kisses me, and it feels like the first time all over again. The butterflies erupt in my stomach when his tongue slips past my lips. I can’t believe this man is mine, and I am his. After Nick, I didn’t think I’d ever find anyone. Kai is more than I ever could’ve imagined.

He pulls his lips away like it physically pains him to do so, and I know he’s trying his hardest to be respectful. I’ve been through a lot today, and I’m exhausted. But I’m happy to just be here in his arms.

“Get some sleep, babe,” he whispers as he rubs his nose against mine.

I let out a happy sigh and quickly drift off to sleep in his arms.

* * *

The scent of maple syrup and bacon wakes me from a dreamless sleep. After Kai insisted on waking me up every three hours last night to check on me, I couldn’t fall into my normal deep sleep. I turn over and see that Kai’s side of the bed is empty. I sit up slowly, mindful of my concussion, and slip out of bed. I tip-toe down the hall and see Roman’s door open and bed empty. Then I hear the laughter coming from the kitchen.

I turn the corner and find Roman covered in flour with a shirtless Kai standing at the stove. They’re smiling at each other like they’re having the time of their life, and it makes me tear up a little. I love that they love each other. It’s more than I ever dreamed of.

Roman spots me first. He runs over and hugs me with his flour-covered arms. “Hi, Mommy.”

“Hey, baby.” I wrap my arms around him. “What did you get all over you?”

“We made you pancakes.”

“Roman got a little too excited with the pancake mix,” Kai explains.

I laugh. “I see that.”

“Sit down, Mommy. We’ve got this.” Roman pulls me to the table, and I sit and watch them finish breakfast. Roman works on flipping the pancakes while Kai handles the bacon.

They plate it up and bring it to the table. Roman sits next to me, and Kai leans down and kisses me.

Roman scrunches up his face. “Are you guys getting married?” I nearly spit out the coffee Kai handed me. Kai doesn’t act as shocked as I am.

“Uh. . .” I can’t seem to find the right words, and I’m not sure if it’s because of the concussion or because I never thought about how I would tell my son that I have a boyfriend. Kai and I have talked about being together, but we haven’t talked about the future—about getting married, living together, or having more kids. But here we are, talking about marriage because of a question from a six-year-old.

“I hope one day she’ll marry me, kid. You think that will be ok?” I look over at him with wide eyes, but he keeps his gaze on Roman and waits for an answer. He wants to marry me? Me!

Roman chews his giant bite of syrup-covered pancake and says, “Yeah, I think that would be cool. You make Mommy smile, and I like that.” My heart warms at his words.

“Yeah. I like that too,” Kai agrees. “Your mom makes me happy, too.”

“I know. She’s pretty cool.” I let out a small laugh and relish that my child still thinks I’m cool. Who knows how long that’ll last? “And I like you too, Mr. Kai. You’re fun and nice, and I like that.”

“Well, you’re my favorite kid in the whole world. Did you know that?” Kai says before taking a sip of his coffee.