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Elena snorts. “No wonder he’s so grumpy all the time.”
Smartass.
“He hasn’t been so grumpy lately.” Noah side-eyes Elena before she continues. “He’s nicer when you’re around.”
“You think so?”
Noah nods. “He likes when you’re around. I can tell.”
I catch the smile that blooms on Elena’s face before she bites the inside of her cheek to hide it.
Yeah, I like when she’s around. More than I’d like to admit.
And after what we did this afternoon?Fuck me.I don’t know how to act around her now because all I want to do is pull her close and kiss her.
“I like it when you’re around too,” Noah adds.
Elena sets the knife on the counter and turns to face Noah. “I like being around you, kid.”
“It feels nice having another girl around the house.” Noah shrugs. “It feels like I’m not so alone.”
Alone? Why hasn’t she told me she feels alone? And why does she feel alone when she has me?
“You are never alone. Your father loves you more than life itself, and you always have me.” Elena stops the music on her phone. “What’s going on? Did something happen?”
Noah picks at her fingernail. “Hannah got her period yesterday.”
“Ah.” Elena nods like she understands something I don’t. “And you haven’t gotten yours yet?”
She shakes her head. “I’ve been worried about it because I don’t have a mom to go to. Hannah was with her mom all day, and she told me the things she said and…”
“And your dad won’t be able to have that conversation with you.”
Noah wipes her nose with the back of her hand. “Certain things are just awkward with him.”
“That’s normal. I wouldn’t have wanted to talk about my dad with any of those things either.” Elena cups Noah’s face. “Would you like to talk about it with me?”
Noah nods. “You would do that?”
“Of course I will.” Elena grabs Noah’s shoulders and pulls her into a hug. “Lord knows your dad can’t handle hearing about tampons and ovaries.”
A laugh bursts from Noah’s throat and she hugs Elena harder.
Tightness in my chest makes it hard to suck in my next breath. Watching them together like this, something settles deep in my bones. It’s more than the fact that Elena is good with kids. More than the fact that she’s hot as hell and made me come in my pants like a teenager.
It’s more than anything I’ve ever felt.
Watching someone love your child makes your heart crack wide open. Elena doesn’t have to love Noah. She doesn’t have to help her or be there for her. Noah’s own mother relinquished those rights. But Elena is here, day in and day out, choosing to be here for my daughter without getting anything in return.
It’s special.
It means something.
For over a decade, Noah has been all I’ve needed.
But for the first time, I’ve found something that I want.
I just don’t know if I can have both.
