Payton adjusts herself and pulls Gabby into a seated position in her lap. “And what was that, Mr. Cole?”
“That this thing between us is real. And I don’t want to keep it hidden anymore. I want to tell everyone that you are mine. That there are no secret boyfriends or random hookups that everyone assumes is going on with us.”
“You realized all of that just yesterday? Man, no wonder you fell right to sleep last night when you got home.”
I mock her, earning a pillow to the face.
When I toss the pillow to the floor, I lock eyes with Payton and see the unshed tears glazing over her eyes.
“Come here, baby.” I open my arms, and she carefully scoots over with Gabby in her arms, settling the little wiggle worm between us.
“Do you really mean it?” she whispers against me.
“Absolutely. I’ve never meant anything more in my life.”
Pay snuggles into my chest, and I press a kiss to her forehead.
“You know things might explode when we tell everyone, right? I’m scared,” she admits honestly.
“I know. It’s why I took the day off. I want to give us one more day of peace before the shit might hit the fan. But I want to make one thing clear.” I tip her chin up to face me. “No matter what happens, I refuse to give you up.”
“Rhyland, I can’t ask that of you.”
I place my forefinger over her lips. “You’re not listening. I. Will. Not. Give. You. Up. That is how serious I am in this with you. Do you understand?”
“I refuse to give you up, too.” She smiles and brings her lips to meet mine, sealing our intentions with a kiss. I thread my fingers into her hair, holding her mouth to mine. But before I can take the kiss any further, a hand smacks my face.
I pull back and look down to find Gabby giving me a gummy smile. Grabbing her hand, I pretend to eat it. That only makes her giggle more.
“You, missy, just love to cockblock, don’t you?”
“Rhyland,” Payton shrieks.
“What?” I twist on my side and balance my head on my fist. “Where is the lie?” I joke.
Payton’s cheeks flush, and she shakes her head. I tap the end of her nose. “See, exactly. Remember your first night here?”
“How could I forget? I was so nervous about moving in here.”
I reach for her hand with my free hand and link her fingers.
“There was nothing to be nervous about.” I bring our joined hands to my lips and press a small kiss on her knuckles. “But do you remember the moment we shared where I almost kissed you and this little princess unleashed fury from her bottom?”
We share a laugh because that moment is definitely one that you can look back on now and laugh—back then, not so much.
“Oh my God.” Payton pulls her hand from mine to cover her face. “I had wondered if you were going to kiss me, and I was driving myself bonkers thinking that I just made it up in my head. I mean, you’re you, Rhyland Cole, and I’m me.”
“You’re you? You mean, you’re gorgeous, funny, creative, strong, independent, and a wonderful mom? Why wouldn’t I fall for you?”
She opens her mouth, but I shush her again. I know she would try to refute what I said, but I won’t let her.
“Now, how about I whip us up from breakfast and we just have a family day together here?”
“That sounds perfect.”Yeah, it does.
Chapter 29
Payton
