yeah.”
He chuckled. “I can guarantee you Aspen will never set foot in this
house.”
Chloe tipped her chin in an I know you love me kind of way. “You
smiled funny at Allie. I’ve never seen you look at someone like that
before.”
“I did?”
“Yeah. I think she makes you happy.”
“She did.”
Chloe pulled her shoulders up to her ears. “Did she leave because of
me?”
“No, darlin’.” She left for you. For us—to protect us. And in the process
made me fall in love with her. Allie had given up everything and asked
nothing of him in return. Mark sucked in through his teeth as if he’d stuck
his hand in the hot oven without an oven mitt.
He’d fallen in love with Allie.
She’d put Chloe before herself, once again showing the depth of her
character. If he was going to deserve her, he needed to lay all that he had on
the table. Gaining custody of Chloe was of the upmost importance. He’d
give up all that he had to have her and Allie in his life—including his acting
career, if that’s what it took.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Three months later
Allie leaned back into the leather sofa in the VIP box of the Atlanta
Braves stadium. Beyond the glass, the humidity stuck T-shirts to backs and
shorts to bottoms as the fans watched Anthony Green climb out of the dugout.
“Ant-ney!” cheered José his arms raised high in the air.
Leticia caught Allie’s eye and they exchanged smiles. This was José’s third home game, and each time Anthony came to bat, he acted like it was the bottom of the ninth in the seventh game of the World Series.
Thanks to Leticia’s tutoring, Allie now knew how important that moment was in baseball. Though the memories from her fairy-tale weekend with Mark still made her ache with longing, Allie was thankful that she’d made friends with Leticia and Anthony. Not only had she shared in the joy of baby Julissajoining the family; Allie now managed Leticia’s premier bath boutique in downtown. Selina worked there full time, her schedule flexible to accommodate José’s medical needs.
A wail pierced the air. Leticia cooed as she scooped baby Julissa out of the car seat and bounced her lightly.
