Mimicking her, Adeline presses her hand to her heart. “And I’ll keep you right here.”
Avery nods. “I like that. Oh, and remember, sleep with my daddy tonight. I don’t want him to be lonely.”
I bark out a laugh. Adeline chuckles too, and Vivi is giggling in the background of the call.
“What’s so funny?” Avery asks, her little face scrunched in confusion.
I shake my head, smiling so wide my cheeks hurt. “Nothing, Avey girl. Go make your phone calls. I love you.”
“I love you too. Bye, Addie.”
“Bye, Avey.”
The screen goes blank, and for a long moment, we’re both silent, just staring at the device.
Interacting with Adeline isn’t awkward, but I know if I speak now, she’ll say she should go. And I’m not ready for that. It’s nice to just sit by her side, even if only for a few seconds. Like this, I can pretend a little longer that life could ever be that easy. The two of us, together, raising Avery.
When she blows out a breath, I decide I can’t ignore her any longer just for the sake of keeping her here.
I turn, the bed creaking beneath me. “What’s the heavy sigh for?”
She gives me a wary look, studying my features. “I’m just waiting for you to ask.”
Confused, I frown. “Ask what?”
“What my plan is.”
“Oh.” I lean back on my hands. “I’m not pushing.”
Her face contorts in response, making my stomach twist. Fuck. She’s not happy.
“But you gave me an ultimatum.”
The twisting sharpens as regret seeps in. “That was shitty of me.”
She blows out a breath, her body relaxing a little. “Yeah, it was.”
“Listen, I know you don’t trust me, and I know that’s my fault?—”
“JJ—”
I force an uneasy smile. “Just let me finish, please.”
She nods
“I love you.”
Eyes widening, she sucks in a harsh breath.
“I don’t want to wait and tell you that when I’m deep inside you because I don’t want you to think I use the words lightly. I don’t want you to think my love is contingent on getting yours in return or any kind of commitment from you.I love you.That’s it. And that’s what I should have told you four years ago. You were right. I shouldn’t have pushed back then. I should have given you space to figure out how you felt.” Head lowered, I close my eyes and inhale deeply. “And if you were sure you didn’t want to be a stepmom, then I should have taken friendship. I’m not going to make that mistake again. I love you and you deserve my support. It’s that simple. So I trust you to do what’s best for you.”
Her eyes well and her lip quivers. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Just tell me we can be friends, Adeline. Tell me you trust that I have your back.”
Looking away, she swipes at her tears with the back of her hand. “I’m trying to. I really am.”
With a deep sigh, I nod. That’s the most I can ask. “I have a lot to prove when it comes to you, but I’ve never been afraid of putting in the work. Especially with something so precious. And that’s what you are to me. The most precious person.”
