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“How are you holding up?”
“Like a guy who got his ass pushed down the stairs. I can’t believe I didn’t see it coming. I let my guard down for one second and now look at me.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. Nobody would expect that.” Meanwhile, Aspen stands beside him, her head lowered a little.
What is she thinking?
I open my mouth, prepared to ask how she is, but she’s too quick for me. “Here. You should really sit down.” He grumbles and rolls his eyes but doesn’t fight too hard against her leading him to the sofa. She grabs a few throw pillows and makes him prop his sprained ankle on them. Though I know I had nothing to do with the person she grew up to be, I can’t help the flash of fatherly pride that stirs at the sight of her taking care of him.
But there’s only so much she can do, only so long she can avoid me. She turns my way, her eyes pointed at the floor.
“Hi,” she murmurs.
“Hi. How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay. I’m a little worried.”
“We’re going to find out who’s behind this,” I assure her.
I don’t know what to do. How to be.
I’m willing to let her lead the way; that much I know for sure. I won’t ruin this by forcing something she doesn’t want.
I see her chin quiver an instant before she throws herself at me, arms around my waist, her face pressed against my chest.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for everything I said.”
“You don’t have to be.” Can this be happening? I can’t let go of the idea that I don’t deserve this.
“But I am. It wasn’t fair.”
“I wasn’t fair, either. I’m sorry, too.”
She’s sniffling when she lifts her head, but she’s smiling through it. “And by the way, I love you. I really do.”
I take her face in my hands, fighting back the emotion threatening to choke me. “I love you, too.” It’s becoming easier to use those words. I can thank Delilah for that, along with so many other things.
Aspen grins, disentangling herself from me and crossing the room to where Delilah’s lingering in the doorway to the bedroom.
“Hey, you.” She gets the same tight hug I did, which I can tell means the world by the way her face lights up. I know how it feels. “I heard you’re pretty rich now, huh?”
Delilah shakes her head, but her lips have a teasing smile. “Yeah, I can actually go shopping in real stores. It’s kind of fun. I can show you pictures of the new apartment if you want.”
Aspen nods enthusiastically.
It comes as no surprise when Xander barges in without knocking.
“It didn’t take you long at all to get here.” I notice how his attention drifts over to where Delilah and Aspen are standing before snapping back to me. Smart man. He wants to play nice for the sake of keeping everyone safe? He needs to learn to speak carefully.
“Your call lit a fire under me.” And I’m glad we wasted no time getting here. Aspen’s forgiveness is a gift I never expected.
He looks around the room. “Where’s Brittney?”
“I expected her to be here by now. Whatever it is seems serious.”
Xander looks to his son, then Aspen. “Do either of you have any idea what this is about?”
Aspen’s head swings back and forth. “She didn’t say anything to me.”
