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“I only work a half day today. Will you meet me here this afternoon at two?”
He liked the sound of that. “I’ll be here. I’ve got some stuff to finish up around the house.”
“Great. I’ll bring everything for dinner.”
“And some stuff to leave here for you and Eliza.” Hepicked up his little girl, smiling at her disheveled hair. “Morning, baby girl.”
“Hi.” She put her head on his shoulder and stared at her mom.
“I’ll bring some essentials.”
He wanted her to bring everything and move in, but he didn’t want to push things.
“Will you feed her breakfast while I shower? I need to get her to daycare so I can head into work a bit early.”
“No problem.”
Shelby came close, kissed Eliza on the cheek, then went up on tiptoe and kissed him softly. “I like this.” She fell back on her flat feet and smiled up at him.
“Then stay,” he blurted out. He meant forever.
Her eyes went wide for a second. Then she turned and headed toward the bedroom, calling over her shoulder, “Maybe we will.”
He stared at her until she disappeared from his view, hoping she meant it and that he wouldn’t spend another night without her.
“Pancakes,” Eliza said, breaking the silence.
“Okay. Let’s make breakfast.” Just like they did yesterday. Just like he hoped to do every morning with her.
He and Eliza were a good team, which meant she followed his instructions well, even if she made a small mess in the process. He cut up strawberries to go with the pancakes and placed his and Eliza’s plates on the table.
He settled Eliza in her chair and secured the booster seat strap. “Start eating. I’m going to take Mama a cup of coffee.”
Eliza dug into her food.
He poured Shelby’s coffee, checked to be sure Elizawas working on her breakfast, and headed back to his bedroom. Shelby walked out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel. His gaze locked on the swell of her breasts.
Shelby smiled at him.
He stilled and stared at the marks on her arm. In the dim light last night, he hadn’t been able to see her so clearly. “Shelby. I...”
Her eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong?”
“Your arm.”
She brushed her fingers over the black-and-blue bruises. “It’s not as bad as it looks.”
“It looks pretty fucking bad.” His hand shook, and he nearly spilled the hot coffee.
Shelby took the mug from him, set it on the dresser, then cupped his face and made him look her in the eye. “I’m fine. We already talked about this. You didn’t mean to do it.”
He couldn’t stand that he’d hurt her. “I’m so sorry.”
“I know you are. It’s okay.”
It wasn’t okay at all. But he tried not to get sucked into self-loathing and trap himself in negative self-destructive thoughts, not when they’d had such a great night and everything seemed so promising this morning.
He wished he could say this would never happen again. But the reality was that his mind hadn’t healed yet. And it scared him to think he could hurt her again. “I have my call with Dr. Porter later this morning. I’ll get the meds. They’ll even out my mood swings and help me sleep better. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure this never happens again.” He took her hand and leaned down. With featherlight brushes of his lips, he kissed the marks he’d left on her arm to show her andhimself that he could be gentle. “I wish I could take this back.”
