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I take in the bouquet of lilies and think back to our conversation last night. I told him lilies were my favorite flower. He told me his was whatever made me smell so good. I blushed like crazy. Who knew there was a sweet talker underneath the power suits and all that sexiness he alludes to?
I can’t believe he sent me flowers.
I’ve never received flowers before. Not outside of a birthday or holiday. Travis and I were always living on a budget while he was in school. This is… nice. Any chance I had of my heart slowing its rhythm is long gone. It feels as though it could beat right out of my chest.
“Thanks, Beth.” I grab the flowers and rush out the front door. Suddenly my nerves are gone, and I can’t wait to see him.
I spot him standing outside a black SUV, and I wonder how many vehicles he owns. He’s leaning against the vehicle, with his arms crossed over his chest and his legs crossed at the ankles. “I see you got my flowers.”
“Just now actually. Thank you. They’re beautiful but not necessary.”
“Just now? Hell, I could have delivered them myself faster than that,” he grumbles.
“I got them. That’s all that matters.”
“How was your day?” he asks, opening the passenger side door for me. “I’ll take those.” He takes the flowers from my hands and presses a kiss on my cheek. Stepping back, he waits for me to relax into the seat before closing the door.
“It was long,” I admit once he’s settled beside me behind the wheel.
“So it wasn’t just me?”
“Just you what?”
“Just me who couldn’t stop thinking about tonight.”
“No,” I confess. “It wasn’t just you.”
“Good.” He reaches over and places his hand on my thigh. “Now, point me in the direction of Maddie’s day care.”
I do just that, giving him directions to the small day care center just down the block from my work. “You walk to work every day?” he asks.
“Yeah.” I shrug. “It’s not too far, and it’s good exercise.” He opens his mouth to reply, but I open my door and climb out of the SUV. I make my way to the front door, and I’m surprised when Marshall reaches around me to open the door.
“I should see the process, you know, just in case I ever get to pick her up.”
It’s not lost on me that he says if he gets to pick her up, not if he has to pick her up. I’m not sure Marshall Riggins is a real man. Is it possible he’s an alien in a man’s body? Oh, maybe he’s a robot in a man’s body, and a woman programmed him to the sweetest caring man she’s ever met. He certainly fits that description for me.
“Hi, Ms. Betty,” I greet the manager of the day care. “How was Madeline today?”
“She’s such a joy.” Betty beams. “Let me go get her.” She scurries off to the locked room that parents are not allowed to enter. At first, not being allowed in the center upset me, but Ms. Betty explained that it’s for the children’s safety. There are cameras everywhere, and the screen in the main room shows a view from every single angle of each age group of kids.
“Good security,” Marshall comments.
“Yeah. It’s expensive, taking half of my check each week, but it’s worth it to know that she’s safe and well taken care of. I’m fine with making sacrifices to ensure her safety.”
His hand rests on the small of my back and he leans in close. “You’re an amazing mother, Wren.”
I feel his lips press to my temple, and it takes everything I have not to melt into his touch. He said he wants to see more of me. I agreed to that, but we didn’t really discuss us more than that. I can’t let myself depend on him. Not yet.
“There’s Mommy,” Betty says. She hands Madeline to me and I snuggle her to my chest.
“Mommy missed you,” I whisper, placing a kiss on her soft cheek.
“Hey, baby girl,” Marshall says softly. At the sound of his voice, my daughter turns to where he stands behind me and holds out her arms. She’s reaching for him. “Come here, you.” He plucks her from my arms and tosses her gently into the air.
“Here are her things.” Betty hands me the diaper bag and infant car seat.
“Thank you, Betty.”
“All right, baby girl. Let’s get you strapped him. We’ve got dinner to make,” Marshall tells Madeline. She babbles up at him as if he’s the most magnificent thing she’s ever seen.
I know the feeling.
Marshall gets her strapped in and lifts her in her seat with ease. “Ready?” he asks.
I nod, and just like that, we’re leaving the day care. “I made sure I had the base this morning before I left the house.”
