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“Why didn’t she answer?”
“I don’t know, Grayson. Maybe she needs a minute? Did you think of that? You broke her heart, tore it to shreds when you ended things. Maybe she just wants a day with her best friend to not think about the pain?”
“I love her.”
“Then prove it.”
“I’m trying to. She’s not answering her phone.”
“Look, I’m sorry for all that you’ve been through. But this isn’t the same thing. She’s okay. I’m sure her phone just died.”
“What studio?”
“What?”
“What studio?”
“I don’t know, and I wouldn’t tell you if I did. You’re just going to have to wait until she gets home.”
“Lenora.” My voice sounds haunted even to my own ears.
“Grayson, you owe her today. Let her get away from the pain.”
“I can’t lose her.”
“Then you have to fight for her.”
I nod, defeated. “Can I stay?”
“Here?”
“Yes, here. I want to be here when she gets back.”
“That’s not until later this afternoon.”
“I know, but fuck, I don’t know what else to do, Leni. The last week has been pure hell. The guilt,” I confess. Then I find myself talking. I tell Lenora everything. From the girls being sick, to their request for Laken to be their mommy, the fight at the station, the letter, and even this morning with my parents and Holly’s arriving at my place, telling me to come and get my girl.
“She loves you. She loves your daughters.”
“I know she does.”
“So, tell me, Grayson. If your girls were standing here asking you if Laken could be their new mommy, how would you answer them?”
“I’d tell them that they have to ask her. It’s not my choice. It’s Laken’s. Does she want to be that person for them? I’d like to think so, but that’s not my choice.”
“You know my sister well enough to know she’s going to deflect that question for you to answer.”
“I do.” I nod. “That’s when I’ll ask her to love us forever. I’d ask her to marry me.” That’s when it hits me. I have a few hours to burn, and I know exactly how I’m going to do it. I look up to find Lenora watching me closely. “I’m going to ask her to marry me.”
Her slow smile tells me she approves.
“If she comes back before I do, call me. Please.”
“I will.” She’s quick to agree.
“Thank you!” I rush out of the store and to my truck and point it toward Billings. I need a ring and one big-ass apology.
I’m on the outskirts of town when another idea hits me. I call my mom. “Hey, Mom, I need a favor.” I go on to tell her my plan, and she agrees. She and my dad, as well as Christine and Marty, will make it happen. They want this for me and the girls as much as we want it.
We want Laken. Forever.
Chapter 27
Laken
It’s just after four when I get back to the store. My heart sputters when I see Grayson’s truck parked behind my building. Grabbing my purse and keys, I make my way inside. As soon as I push open the door, I spot Grayson sitting in a chair. He looks up, and the relief I see on his face startles me. His shoulders drop, and he expels a breath.
Before I can say hello, he’s on his feet and has me in his arms. It’s the perfect embrace, something that he’s good at.
“I was worried,” he whispers, not letting me go.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t think, I-I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m the one who’s sorry. As far as the worry, I’m afraid that’s never going to go away. You and the girls are just going to have to get used to it. That comes with me loving you.”
Tears instantly fill my eyes. “I have to get used to it, huh?”
“I hope so. Laken, baby, I’m so sorry.” He cradles my cheeks. “I was letting the guilt get to me, and that’s on me. I let fear rule my heart, and I know it was wrong. Can you forgive me?”
“I love you, Grayson. Of course, I forgive you.” The words are barely out of my mouth when he crushes me to his chest once more.
“Daddy?”
“Is it time?” The girls’ voices reach us.
“You brought the girls?” I ask, wiping at my tears. “I know you don’t want me to replace Holly, but, Grayson, I love them. I love the three of you, and I promise I’ll never let them forget her. I just want the chance to love them. To love all three of you.”
“Girls,” Grayson calls out before placing a kiss on my lips.
“Waken!” They come running to me, and I drop to my knees to accept their hugs. “We missed you.”
“I missed you too. So very much.”
“We gots you pwesents,” Harlow says, holding up a small gift bag with the number two on it.
