His jaw tightens. “I couldn’t be anywhere else.”
“And thanks for your pizza suggestion—even if you didn’t run it past me first.” I raise an eyebrow, and Patrick’s lips curl into a smile.
“Yeah. Sorry about that. All I could think about was giving you a break. You must be exhausted.”
Why does he have to be so good to me?
I think I’d have preferred it if he’d walked away.
27
PATRICK
Today was one of the toughest days of my life.
Mark had my life—the one I dreamed of. He lived with and loved the woman I loved and raised a girl I suspect might be mine.
Or is that wishful thinking?
I’ve not asked outright how old Sophie is, but she’s a blend of Cassie and me in looks—and we just clicked from day one.
But Mark was also a decent man—a wonderful partner to Cassie and father to Sophie. The world’s a much darker place without him in it.
His life being cut short the way it has been is nothing short of cruel.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
Sophie’s voice shakes me out of my thoughts, and I beam a fond smile at the girl. I should be so lucky to have adaughter like her—maybe in time, even if she’s not biologically mine, I could win her mother back and have that.
Cassie will need time, but I have plenty of that.
“Me too, kiddo. How are you doing?”
She shrugs. “I’m okay. Sad, but Dad would have loved the attention.”
I smile. “You’re right. He would have.”
“I worry about Mum. She’s so sad.”
I nod. “She will be. But it’ll get better. I promise.”
“You should come back for my birthday. It’s in September.”
I smile. “Three more months, huh?”
“Yeah. Mum’s stressing about a group of teenagers in the house, but maybe you could help keep her sane.”
I chuckle. “How old will you be?”
“Thirteen.” She flicks her ponytail over her shoulder—just like her mother used to do. She’s so much like Cassie, but with dark hair and blue eyes.
Could she be mine?
I can’t push this—not yet. Cassie’s still raw after Mark’s death and she will be for some time. But that doesn’t stop me from being there for her, and for Sophie. And even if Sophie’s not mine, I really like the kid.
Being with them is the easiest thing in the world.
There are still so many questions I want answers to.
