“I went after you,” he says, a lot calmer than before. “Because I knew what the fuck I wanted the moment I saw you. You may not like the way I did it, but I will not apologize for that. Ever.”
The room is silent for a moment. The tears that swelled up in my eyes slowly track down my face. I cannot get this man to understand that although he thinks there was no other way to win me over, there was. And because he chose to lie, manipulate, and coerce every decision I made to be with him, I can’t trust him.
“Well,” I finally say, roughly swiping a hand over my cheek. “I guess we have nothing else to talk about.”
I walk past him to head back into the bathroom. He grabs my arm and halts my movement. I don’t immediately turn to look at him.
“I’m sorry for yelling at you.” His voice is less harsh than before. “That is never acceptable. Will you forgive me?”
Finally, turning to face him, I let out a deep breath. Honestly, I was tired of arguing with him. I wasn’t over the reason I was mad, but it was draining me to be so pissed all the time. Plus, I started this argument.
“Yeah. I forgive you for yelling.”
He let go of my arm.
“Despite how it turned out, I didn’t come in here to argue. I just wanted you to know that I gave Ms. Rose the day off. Noah and I are hanging together today.”
It’s in moments like this that I remember the man I married. The love he has for his son is beautiful. He has always been a very involved father. Up for the late-night feedings and the early morning ones. Nico has never shied away from dirty diapers or spit-up.
“Are you sure? I figured with the hotel being dried and cleaned you’d be swamped.”
It broke my heart to find out four days ago someone purposely damaged North River. All the hard work that everyone put into getting that hotel up and running was wasted. The news said that it was a random attack, probably by delinquent kids. Now, Nico had to push the grand opening of the hotel back five months.
“The renovation crew is still drying the hotel out. There is nothing else I can do.” The way he looks away from me and runs his hand through his hair tells me this hotel thing is bothering him.
Even with all we have going on, I hate to see him upset.
“Okay, I’ll get Noah dressed for his day with Daddy.”
I head toward the bathroom to finish getting ready.
“I can dress my son.”
Stopping in my tracks, I turn to face him with one hand on my hip. Usually, this would be the start of a new argument, but I didn’t have the energy or the desire.
“Need I remind you of the backwards shirt incident?” My voice is teasing.
He tosses his hands up in the air. “One time, Tiff.”
“Once is enough. I’ll dress him.” I chuckle as I turn and walk into the bathroom, leaving my husband in the bedroom. His laughter trailing me.
Today I was heading to Ezra’s new home for the walkthrough. Jake stops the G-Wagon in front of the large French-style mansion.
“Want me to go in with you?” He asks, looking through the rearview mirror at me.
Gathering my things, I shake my head. “Relax, Jake. I told your boss I would not run again. I don’t need a bodyguard to walk a house.”
Jake doesn’t comment. When I look up at him in the mirror, his gaze is set on the house. He’s looking around as if he’s scared I’m going to get kidnapped. I roll my eyes.
“I’m sure Saint isn’t going to jump out of the bushes and grab me. Especially considering he’s home with our son.” I push open the back door and climb out.
I walk up the stone driveway to the front door. Before I reach the glass front door, it opens and Ezra appears. Today he’s wearing a simple blue shirt and light-wash jeans. His feet are bare.
“Ms. Best. I meant, Basille,” he says jokingly before I can correct him.
“Hello, Mr. Blackwell.”
“Please.” He places a hand on his chest. “Call me Ezra. Mr. Blackwell is my father.”
