My throat tightens. “I know you want to, but?—”
“No buts. That kid of ours is smart. She’s beautiful and funny and kind, and she’ll understand.”
“I know. It’s so hard to think of her growing up. She was a baby five minutes ago.”
“I wish I’d seen that.”
I raise my fist to my mouth and bite down a sob.
Patrick takes hold of my hand and gives it a gentle rub. “Don’t. Please. I know I’ve missed out, but I’m so in love with you, Cassie Warren. I want us to build a life.” He pauses. “You, me, and Sophie. Together.”
I meet his gaze. There’s so much love in his eyes that I just want to cry. “I’d like that. I’m not sure how, but I’d like that.”
“We start with telling our daughter the truth.”
Nodding, I swipe the tears from my cheeks with my index finger. “That sounds like a good place to start to me.”
He grasps my chin and raises my face to his.
Dropping his hand, he leans closer. My heart pounds so hard, blood rushes in my ears.
He starts soft, his lips caressing mine before I open up and he takes advantage of the situation. His kiss is warm and slow—we haven’t been together for so long, but the taste of his lips is familiar—comforting.
The kiss deepens, and I’m swept away in emotion.
I love this man.
I want this man.
Fate brought us back together, and I’m never letting him go again.
When the kiss ends, my cheeks burn with excitement.
And I already know what my future brings.
Patrick’s lips twitch. “Was that okay?”
“You know it was more than okay.”
“I hoped it was. I’m a bit rusty.”
I roll my eyes. “Liar. I know you’ve had girlfriends.”
“Not for a long time. And I’ve not seen anyone else since the day I first ran into you at the hospital. I knew then what I wanted, and that’s never going to change.”
“Patrick.”
I pull away from him as Sophie’s voice comes from the hall doorway.
Her gaze flicks between us, and the smile falls from her face.
“Hey, Soph.” Patrick doesn’t drop his arm from around me, and I swallow hard.
“What’s going on? Mum?”
“I …” I swallow hard. “We were just taking about the past. But there is something we need to tell you.”
Sophie glances between us. “What is it?” she asks.
