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“Fine.” I sipped my wine. “But there will be no one night stands. I’m not staying out all night. I can’t even fathom being away from her all night at this point.”
“Well, I just want you to have the option.”
“Not happening,” I repeated.
Krista laughed. “Come on,” she said, shooing me toward my bedroom. “Let’s go get ready. Kyle bought us both new dresses too.”
“What about Dante? Don’t you want to get ready with him?” I asked, feeling guilty for keeping her from her boyfriend.
“Please, this is like a gift to him—a makeup break from me. Besides, we’ll meet him at the club, no big deal,” Krista said.
Her offer was so tempting, and they clearly worked together to make this happen. I was planning on going back to work on Monday anyway but still…
“Wait,” I said, stopping and turning around to face them both. “I don’t know guys. What about Lily?”
“She’s in the best care possible, Emma. You know that. I left you alone this week because I knew you needed time, but times up.”
“It’s just one evening, honey,” Mom added. “You’re an incredible mom, but you need breaks sometimes.”
“I guess a couple hours won’t hurt, right?” I asked, fearing I wouldn’t be able to stay away from her.
“Yes,” Krista said with a smile. “Sometimes you need just a few hours to yourself.”
“Right, hon,” Mom added. “You know I’ll call you if anything happens—”
“Like what?” I interrupted.
“Nothing will happen, Emma,” Mom said firmly. “Look at her.”
Lily was dancing around, holding her baby doll in her arms, singing some unknown song to them both. She was better than fine. She was thriving.
“You’re giving her the best life,” Krista said.
I didn’t want to get teary eyed, but there I was with an eye full of tears. “This is just hard, being a single mom. I don’t even want her to feel like she’s missing out.”
“And she’s not,” Krista assured me. “She is so loved by all of us.”
“You’re right,” I said with a nod, wiping away tears. “I just wish I found her a better dad.”
“Well—” Krista pulled me into a hug. “Wait till you see the dress I picked out for you. I bet you’ll be able to find her a new dad tonight. And a daddy for you, too.”
Chapter 15
Kyle
Oneweek.
I hadn’t seen Emma in one week and I felt like I was losing my fucking mind.
Jerry filled me in on her absence in the sparest of details, and out of respect for employee privacy, I didn’t push for more.
I could’ve investigated Emma’s files and easily seen what the excuse was, but I had to stop myself, more than once from doing that.
Lily came first. I knew that.
And not only did I know that, that was how I wanted it to be.
Even if I hadn’t met her yet.
