Still curled up on the couch, Vivi squeaks out a “what?”
I glare at her. The girl has no room to talk. “We only did that because you were between us and having a bad dream, right?”
Avery shrugs her little shoulders.
This girl. Regardless of her motives, I’m not mad about it. I’d happily sleep with these two in my bed every night. God, it’d be a damn dream come true.
“We should go,” Adeline says, probably ready to put a stop to Avery’s off-the-cuff comments.
“Wait,” my daughter yells.
“What’s the matter?” Adeline says, always patient with her.
“You didn’t say I love you.” Her voice is so small, so sad. Fuck. I swear if I could pull my heart out of my chest and hand it to her, I would.
Adeline drops down again and takes her hands. “I love you always. And I’ll call you tonight. With your daddy.”
Beaming, Avery throws her arms around her.
I’m done for.
Before I can get my wits about me, Adeline strides out the door. She insists we take separate cars, saying she has to make a stop, though she’s vague about where and why I can’t come with her.
Maybe it’s for the best anyway. The solo drive, with only music for company, should settle me.
And it should help me wrap my head around what I need to do to make what just happened in that house more of a reality. Avery and Adeline and me.
If we could find a way to be together, would she really want that?
I get so lost in my thoughts that I miss the exit for the airport. When I realize, I take my time, continuing in the wrong direction for several more minutes before circling back. By the time I pull into the reserved parking lot, Adeline’s car is parked and she’s nowhere in sight.
Bag in hand, I head for the private terminal where the reporters traveling with the team have congregated. I spot Bobby first. He’s sporting sunglasses inside—clearly feeling like shit after all those shots last night. Then Bray, who is leaning in really close, probably giving him an earful. I take a step in their direction so I can witness the smack down, but I pull up short when Adeline’s voice rings out behind me.
“Why, Savannah? Why here?”
I whip around, finding Savannah hovering around Adeline, fixing her makeup.
And my girl looks absolutely miserable.
“Because he was going to be late, and you can’t waste this gorgeous outfit.” Savannah motions to Adeline’s hot as fuck suit.
“I’m at work, Sav. I need these guys to respect me, not look at me like I’m a contestant onThe Bachelorette.”
Her redheaded friend snaps a hand to her hip. “You’re the damn lead, not a contestant. Own it.”
Adeline whines. “You know what I mean.”
“Smile,” Savannah commands. “It’ll be over in a few. Oh, look. Thecontestantis here.”
I frown. The contestant?
“Adeline.” The sound of her name—my fucking name—on someone else’s lips makes anger flare to life in my veins.
“Scott,” she says to the man she went on a date with two nights ago.
I glare at him. He’s dressed in a navy suit, his brownhair slicked back, and I swear to god he’s wearing blush. He’s also got a bouquet of roses. Red ones.
My lips tip up in a smirk without my permission.
