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“I haven’t.” She smiles up and shakes her head.
“You should fix that.”
“And you have a suggestion on how to do this?” she asks sarcastically.
“I’m already helping you with the store. Why not this too? Let’s call it my road to redemption.”
“Because the way to my forgiveness is bribery?”
“No. the way to your heart is regained trust and reminding you how well we fit together.”
“That was then—.”
“I know you can feel the connection.” She shakes her head. “Shh. It’s okay.” I run my thumb across her bottom lip, pulling it from between her teeth. “You don’t trust it anymore. I get it, but I won’t stop until you feel safe enough, and we both know when I want something, I don’t stop until I get it.”
“New.” Her breathing increases.
“Get ready because I’m coming for you Daphne. I want everything we should’ve had back.”
“What does that mean?”
I smile. “Deep down, you already know Daph. I don’t need to put it into words. Besides, I’ve always been a man of action. You’ll find out firsthand soon enough.”
Her stomach growls, and I chuckle. “Don’t worry, I’m starving too. I skipped dinner to get here to help Mom and talk to Brax. I think I have what I need to run some numbers and create a digital walk-through to show you what everything will look like when I’m done.”
“Good. So, we’ll meet again after I talk to your Mom?”
“Sounds good.” I grab her hand. “Now, let’s go so I can get you fed.”
“I can –.”
“I know you can. The point is you no longer have to. It’s just two old friends catching up and burying the hatchet.” I place a hand on the small of her back. Her stiffness melts away as I coax her away from the wall. Daphne’s body knows what her mind has yet to accept. Her place is at my side.
FIVE
“I’m starting to think Godmother is a catchall title for spouse fill-in.”
“Exactly. You picked that up quickly.” Fey pulls out the red wagon and opens it, snapping it down. “Why do you think we pick them so carefully.”
“I thought it was my lifetime of loyalty.” I mock offense while Ethan and Owen exit the car.
“That helped. Your habit of being responsible, love for kids, and financial security didn’t help.”
I laugh. “Shut up. I was broke when you first asked me.”
She grinned. “As if there was ever another choice.”
“You’re damn right. I claimed those crotch goblins long before they were created.”
As I lay the insert flat, we cackle, and she closes the trunk.
“Alright, boys. We told Brax we’d meet him and his Dad by the welcome sign where you take photos every year.” They shoot out a little ways ahead, and we bring up the rear.
“I heard it from the grapevine you had dinner the other night with New.”
“I did. We were in Pages talking about how I’d change it if I bought her out.”
“Are you really going to do it?”
