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“But you weren’t! Did I do something wrong? Is that why you’re staying away from me?” Aspen’s voice broke with another sob.
Pippa’s heart broke. “No, of course not. You didn’t do anything, sweetheart.”
“Then why haven’t I seen you in weeks? Did Dad do something again?”
Pippa sighed. Her mind swirled as she tried to figure out how to explain this appropriately. “The truth is, I haven’t been at the bookstore in the afternoons because I haven’t been feeling well.”
“Are you okay?” Aspen sat up to look her in the eyes.
Pippa grabbed a tissue from her bag and wiped her tears. “I will be. But you need to understand that I love you and that will never change. And even if your dad and I aren’t . . . friends anymore, I’m still here for you. Always.” She touched the charm on her necklace, drawing Aspen’s gaze to it.
Aspen reached under her shirt, pulled out her own half of the heart, and squeezed it in her hand.
Pippa swallowed the ball of emotion welling in her throat and grabbed a pen and paper from her bag. She wrote her number before handing it to Aspen. “This is my cell. You can call me anytime you need, day or night, as long as your dad is okay with it.”
“What happened between my dad and you?” Aspen probed.
Pippa sighed. “Your dad loves you and wants the best for you.”
Aspen clung to her neck again. “I love you too. You’re the closest thing I’ve ever had to a mom. I can’t remember mine, but I’d like to think she was as cool as you. You’d be a great mother.”
The girl’s words were like a spear to Pippa’s heart. Tears blurred her own eyes. “Are you in pain?”
Aspen pulled away and adjusted the heating pad. “Yeah, I was, but you being here made it better.”
Pippa wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Sometimes that can happen. Lie down, and I’ll read to you.”
Aspen got comfortable as Pippa picked up the newest edition of Selfie. She read until Aspen’s eyelashes fluttered closed and then she just stared at the girl. Her heart was bursting with love and breaking all in the same moment. This is why he ended things with me. Mason was willing to do anything to protect his child. Even if it meant giving up what he wanted. She couldn’t fault him for that.
But now, he may have another child. If he would hear her out, maybe he’d realize that there was a lot more to this choice than he realized.
