He studies me a moment before giving me a short, sharp nod. “Sounds good.”
Sophie’s not with Mark when I get back into the kitchen, and he meets my gaze and nods toward the hallway. “She’s gone to bed.”
“I’m just going to head there now.”
He studies my expression. “I’ll join you after I’ve locked up.”
I’m so on edge that I’m not quiet as I stamp my way to the bedroom and close the door. After stripping off, I pull a nightgown over my head and slide into bed.
I don’t know what Mark is thinking, but I wish he’d just talk to me.
He joins me a few minutes later, gently closing the door behind him and undressing.
“What is he doing here?” Anger builds inside me—the first opportunity to let it since Patrick got here.
Mark holds up his palms in surrender. He pauses a moment before climbing into bed with me.
I cross my arms and stare at the wall, ignoring him.
“You two have unfinished business,” he says.
“Maybe, but it was up to me to make that decision, not you.”
He tugs on my arm, and I slowly unfold them—still angry, still not looking at him. I’m afraid if I do, I’ll really lose the plot.
“Come on, Cassie, love,” he says softly.
I let out a sigh. There’s no way I can stay angry at him forever, not when we don’t have much time left.
Letting him pull me into the bed, I slide down beside him.
He cups my cheek, gazing into my eyes. “I love you, Cassie. You’re the love of my life. But I’ve known the whole time that I’m not yours.”
I search his eyes. “That’s not?—”
“It is. I think it’s possible to love more than one person, and you do because you have the biggest heart I’ve ever had the fortune to meet. And whether you like it or not, like I said before, you two have unfinished business.”
I drop my gaze. Mark has always been honest to a fault, and usually it doesn’t hurt the way it does now. “I’m just not sure how to deal with all of this.”
“None of us do. I’m trying to make the best of an opportunity that I saw open. Just the way I did when I first laid eyes on you.” He chuckles softly. “The minute I saw you, I thought, I’ll have me some of that.”
I laugh, despite feeling like I’m dying inside.
“And then I was lucky enough that you let me in. You let me be the father to that beautiful girl and the partner of the most wonderful woman in the world. But I can’t stop what’s happening, and I can either fight what’s inevitable afterward or make sure that the two women I love more than anything on this planet are taken care of when I’m gone.”
Tears well in my eyes. “Who said it’s inevitable?”
“I saw the way he looked at you. And I don’t blame him because that’s the wayIlook at you. And if I can give you that after I’m gone, and give Sophie her dad, then I’ll have made sure that you’re okay.”
I sniff. “I should have told him a long time ago.”
He nods. “Yes, you should have. But I understand why you didn’t, and I understand whythislife became so importantto you. Because we’ve been happy, maybe happier than I ever deserved to be.”
“I love you,” I choke out.
“I know you do, love. So please respect what I’m asking you and give the man a chance. You don’t have to tell him about Sophie yet. I think he’s smart enough to work that one out for himself. But let him spend time with us, so he can get to know his daughter and be the strength for you that I can’t be.”
He wraps his arms around me, and we lie in silence for a while.
