Page 61 of His Surrender

“You sure?”

“Mmhmm.”

I take a sip of coffee that burns my tongue. Maybe it’ll wake me up enough to stop acting like an idiot.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch her studying me.

She’s too observant.

“I was thinking …” she begins. “Since it’s supposed to be nice today, maybe this afternoon, I could take Liana downstairs and walk around the courtyard for a little while.”

I don’t even think before answering, “I’ve got her. It’s your day off.” The words come out clipped—possibly too clipped.

Aubrey blinks. “Oh … okay.”

I hate the disappointment that flashes across her face.

She tries to hide it almost immediately, but I already saw it. This is exactly why I shouldn’t have let things get as comfortable as they did.

I clear my throat. “I’m going to take her with me today. He’s been begging to see her again.”

Her expression brightens again. “I bet he’ll love that.”

“He will.”

Another pause settles between us.

I glance down at Liana, who’s happily chewing on her fist, completely oblivious to the tension hanging in the room.

“I should get her diaper bag packed.”

“Okay.”

I nod once before heading toward the nursery. As soon as I’m out of Aubrey’s sight, I let out a slow breath.

That was awful … but it was necessary. She deserves clear boundaries. Not mixed signals from a man who’s old enough to know better.

I gather diapers, wipes, bottles, and an extra sleeper and put them into the diaper bag with more force than necessary.

I sling the diaper bag over my shoulder.

“I think you and I need a little road trip, Peanut.” I smile despite myself. “Grandpa’s been asking when he gets his granddaughter back.”

Maybe a few hours away from the apartment is exactly what I need. A reminder that my life doesn’t revolve around the woman taking up all the space in my mind that I have.

Because if one weekend has me restructuring my entire routine just to avoid her … I’m already in much deeper than I ever intended to be.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

AUBREY

Ishouldn’t care.

I repeat that to myself for the hundredth time as I click Submit Application on yet another job posting.

I feel nothing though. No magical feeling of accomplishment or any sense of hope. Just another résumé floating around somewhere in cyberspace with the thousands of others.

I close my laptop and let out a long sigh. At least I have a temporary job that keeps me distracted.