Her smile sets my fucking soul on fire, and I can’t look away.
I set her in the truck and buckle her seatbelt before taking my place in the driver’s seat.
“What is it you wanted to talk about?” she asks.
“Did you talk to Tyler?”
She throws her head back and lets out a ragged sigh. “No, but I might’ve left a less-than-stellar voicemail the last time he didn’t answer.”
“So, he knows?”
“Probably. There’s a chance he hasn’t checked it, but if I know Tyler, he has.”
“No good, piece of shit, mother fucking cock weasel,” I mutter through gritted teeth.
Her soft hand lands on my thigh. The touch instantly soothes. “It’s fine. I’m over it.”
At the next red light, I glance over at her, my brow furrowed, before turning my attention back to the road and flicking the turn signal.
“Just like that?” I ask.
She pulls her hand back, and it takes all of my self-control not to reach for her again. Any amount of distance between us feels wrong. “I don’t know if you noticed, but I’ve been a bit busy lately. Between work and throwing up every hour like clockwork, I don’t have any leftover energy to put into hating Tyler.”
“The morning sickness isn’t getting any better? Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Why would I? There’s nothing you can do about it.”
“Maybe not, but I check in every day asking how you’re feeling. You never thought to mention it?”
“Honestly? I wasn’t sure you’d care.”
I pull onto the side of the road and put the truck in park, whirling around to face her. I need her eyes. “Of course I care.”
“Why?”
“Because I care about you, Angel. I’ve always fucking cared. I stood on the sidelines for years, silently waiting for the day you might need me. I left you alone because I thought that’s what you wanted, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t care.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. Oh. Is that answer enough for you?”
She nods.
“Good. When I check in, I expect you to tell me the truth. I want to know when you’re not feeling well, or when you need something, anything at all.” I palm her belly and gentle my voice. “Let me take care of you. Both of you.”
She places her hand over mine. “Are you sure about this?”
“Never been more sure of anything in my life, baby girl.”
A tender smile blooms across her face. “Ok.”
I glide my thumb once over her stomach before pulling my hand back. I could sit here for hours just looking at her, stroking her belly, but we have somewhere to be.
I put the truck in drive and guide us back onto the road. “What should we tell my family about us?”
“Everything?” she says tentatively.
I try not to seem too eager, but the idea of claiming Angie and the baby as mine has me doing a mental backflip. “Yeah? Baby and all?”
