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Her mouth dropped open. “Tanner Malone!”
“Yes, baby?”
“You can’t tell me to shut up or threaten to spank my ass for wanting to pay for groceries I’m going to use.”
“Are you?” he asked seriously.
“Am I what?”
“Going to use them.”
“Well, yeah.” She frowned, not liking where this was going.
“Are you eating, baby?” He rubbed his hand up and down her back.
“Yes,” she told him.
“Three meals a day? Snacks?”
She pressed her fingers together. “I’m doing the best I can.”
Shit.
She hadn’t meant to say that. Or in that tone. It was a mix of longing and sadness. Of regret.
God. She had so many regrets that she didn’t even know what to do with them all.
“Shh, baby. I know you are. Shh.” He pressed her face against his chest and rocked her back and forth.
The front door opened, and Opal stepped in. “Sorry, Kye needs a bottle. Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Everything is good.” She climbed off Tanner’s lap, surprised that he let her. She walked over to Opal and gave her a gentle hug, before taking hold of Kye. “I’ll get the bottle for him.” Then she glanced at the clock. “Shit! I’ve got to get to Dirty Delights. I’m going to be late.”
How could she have forgotten about work?
Idiot.
She handed Kye back to Opal and rushed to her suitcase by the sofa.
“Whoa. Wait.” Tanner reached for her, but she shook his hand off. “Lilac, I think you should call in sick.”
“I can’t call in sick. I’m not ill!”
“You don’t look that great to me, babe,” Opal said as she made Kye a bottle. He was really starting to fuss. She should help with Kye. But she had to go to work. She likely only had one job left and she had to keep it.
“Lilac, I don’t want you going to work tonight.” Tanner took hold of her shoulders, holding her still.
Panic started to eat at her insides. “I have to go. And you can’t stop me.”
He eyed her for a long moment. “Fine. You can go.”
So gracious of him to allow her to go to her job.
“But I’m going as well. I’ll be there all night, making sure you don’t push yourself too hard.”
She sighed but didn’t argue, knowing this was the best compromise she would get.
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