Page 144 of The Wrong Groom

“You promise?”

“I promise.” There’s a creaking sound as he shifts in his chair. “We just need to take extra good care of her.”

The thought of being taken care of, after the hellish past several weeks, is enough to make my heart ache with longing. But the ache is tangled with uncertainty. With fear. If I let myself slide back into that comfortable place, where I’m not constantly bracing myself for the next disaster, where I feel loved, then I’m risking everything. I’m risking the ground beneath my feet. It’s already fallen away from me once, and I don’t think I can handle that pain again.

Gabriel and Peyton are still talking quietly. She’s rambling on about wanting to draw me a picture to make me feel better.

“—me, and Pepper, and Alexis. And we’re gonna be on a boat.”

“Why are you on a boat?” Gabriel sounds fondly amused. His tone almost tugs the corner of my mouth into an involuntary smile. Almost.

“You remember when we went on Uncle Beckett’s boat? I saw dolphins,” Peyton says. “I think Pepper and Alexis should get to come next time.”

“Well, Pepper is certainly staying home,” Gabriel says dryly. “Kittens aren’t allowed out of the house.”

“But what about Alexis?”

Gabriel doesn’t respond right away. His silence feels heavy, like he’s carefully considering his next words.

“Is Alexis going to come back and live with us now?” Peyton’s question is tentative, cautious.

Gabriel draws a long breath, then says, “I’m not sure, Bug.”

“Why not?” I can hear the frown in Peyton’s voice.

“Because I made a mistake,” Gabriel says. He hesitates, then adds, “I did something to help her, but it hurt her too.”

I turn my head to avoid the lights, finally blinking my eyes open. I don’t really want to be fully awake, but it feels wrong to keep listening to this conversation while Gabriel doesn’t know I can hear him. Like I’m eavesdropping or something.

The second he realizes I’m awake, Gabriel is out of his chair and at my side. “Hey. How are you feeling?”

“I feel better.” My voice is raspy, but the words are true. The dizziness has subsided, and my vision is back to normal, albeit sensitive. It’s reassuring. I was worried about the baby.

Gabriel exhales, and I can see my relief echoed on his face. “Good.”

My gaze drops to Peyton, who lingers behind her father’s legs. She shifts nervously from one foot to the other, clutching her plush cat to her chest.

“Hey, Pey,” I say, smiling at her. “Long time no see.”

“Are you really okay?” she whispers.

I nod. “I’m really okay. I promise.”

She bites her lip, then turns to set her plushie down on the plastic chair. She digs in her pocket and produces a crumpled, half-empty bag of Skittles. “I saved you some,” she says solemnly.

“Thank you. That’s very sweet,” I tell her, my heart swelling with affection. It’s much easier to interact with Peyton than it is to talk to Gabriel. There isn’t as much baggage with the little girl. Our connection feels simpler, and that kind of uncomplicated bond is exactly what I need right now, when everything else in my life feels like a chaotic mess. “How’s Pepper doing?”

“She’s good,” Peyton says, her eyes lighting up at the mention of her cat. “She sleeps on my bed now. And she loves cuddles.”

“Sounds like you two are perfect for each other.”

Peyton nods vigorously, beaming. “She said to tell you something.”

“Oh, yeah?”

I lean in close to hear the message, and Peyton whispers in my ear, “Meow.”

Well, I’m not sure what I was expecting. I snort a laugh, and Peyton giggles.