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She shrugged, not quite meeting my eyes. “I thought maybe she’d be punished, and I didn’t want to interfere.”
“Oh.” I shook my head. “Make her favorite, and that chocolate cake she likes for dessert, if you have time.”
“I have the batter waiting in the fridge,” she confessed with a hint of guilt.
“Excellent.” I left the two women and the apartment a moment later. The elevator ride was fast, and I was soon standing beside Bill as I awaited the arrival of my daughter and…her nanny? That didn’t sound right, but what did?
“I heard the good news, sir. I’m glad Miss Elle is returning to us safe and sound.”
I nodded at Bill, marveling at how quickly word must have spread around the building. “Thank you. You have no idea how relieved I am too.”
“I can imagine. My youngest took off once, but quickly changed his mind when he realized he’d forgotten his teddy bear.”
More to fill the time than anything, I said, “I didn’t know you were a family man.”
“Oh, yes, sir. They’re grown these days, but the wife and I still see them a lot.”
“How long have you been married?”
“Almost forty years.”
I looked at him. “How in the world did you manage that?”
He shrugged. “It’s a lot of work sometimes, but I couldn’t imagine anyone else I want by my side during the journey of life. Once you find the right one, you don’t let go of her. It’s worth the fight.”
I nodded, his words percolating in my brain as we waited for the right cab to draw up. Was Bill right? He certainly seemed to know what he was talking about with forty years of marriage to back him up.
I hadn’t fought for Ashe, but I’d stopped loving her the way I had in the beginning long before discovering her addiction. She hadn’t been worth fighting for, and I was positive she’d felt the same way about me. We were toxic together and happier apart than we’d ever been when married.
Lindsay was different. I knew it in my heart. She was dangerous to my heart and to the path I’d set for myself—one I intended to walk alone.
That course no longer seemed so appealing, especially when the cab drew up, and she exited a few minutes later with Elle’s hand in hers.
I rushed to the curb, reaching for my daughter despite the way she held back. I forced myself to stop at the last minute and shoot a questioning look at Lindsay.
“Elle is afraid she’s in trouble.”
I immediately swooped forward and lifted her into my arms. She remained stiff in my arms for a moment before hers crept around my neck, and she hugged me back.
“I’m so happy you’re home, baby.” I buried my face against her fine blonde hair and inhaled the scent of man
goes. “Please don’t ever do this again.”
She lifted her head, which forced me to move mine so I could look into her eyes. “I’m sorry, Daddy.”
I nodded. “We’ll talk in a bit. Let’s get you cleaned up and fed. Margot’s making your favorite dinner.”
Her eyes sparkled. “Brie en Croûte and salmon cakes?”
I nodded. “With chocolate cake for dessert.”
Chapter 16
Lindsay
Watching them interact throughout dinner left a lump in my throat. There was a new tenderness in Ben’s actions, and Elle was the most open I’d seen in a long while. She even reached out to hold his hand at one point, and he clung to it like a lifeline.
It was beautiful, but also underscored my status as an outsider. Sitting there with the family, though not part of the family, was demoralizing no matter how heartwarming their reunion. I was quiet, trying to remain unobtrusive to allow them the time they needed.
