It takes our group a good fifteen minutes to say goodbye before I’m loading Madeline and Wren up and heading toward their place.
“How was your night?” I ask once we’re on the road.
“Good. It was a lot of fun.”
“I’m glad you went.”
“Me too.”
We fall into easy conversation about girls’ night at Sawyer and Royce’s place, her work, and she even mentions that she’s still thinking about the sunset at the lake. I want to ask her if it’s because she watched it with me, but I decide to hold my tongue. It’s a beautiful sunset, one we both commented on. However, in my mind, the company had something to do with it as well.
“Thanks for the ride,” she says when I pull into her apartment complex.
“I’ll walk you up.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I’m walking you up,” I tell her. Once I’m out of the car, I grab Madeline and her seat and motion for Wren to lead the way. This time she doesn’t try to stop me. She just hikes the diaper bag upon her shoulder and we begin the long trek up the stairs to her place.
“Thanks again,” she says when we finally reach her floor. She unlocks the door and pushes it open. She drops the diaper bag just inside and reaches for Madeline. I don’t have an excuse to hold her any longer, so I relinquish her to her mother, seat and all.
“Lock up behind me.”
“I always do.”
Without thinking, my hand cradles her cheek in my palm. “Goodnight, Wren.”
She visibly swallows. “Goodnight, Marshall.”
There’s a pause, and I want to kiss her. I think she wants me too as well. In fact, I know she does, but I drop my hand, killing the moment. Leaning over, I look into the seat and see Madeline watching us.
“Good night, baby girl.” Lifting her tiny hand, I kiss her knuckles. “I’ll wait until you’re inside.”
“Marshall, I’m a grown woman who has been living on her own just fine.”
“I know that, Wren, but I’m not that man. I won’t leave until I know you’re locked safely inside. I know you’re smart and you’ve been living on your own, but I’m here. I would never forgive myself if something happened to either of you and it was because I didn’t make sure you were locked inside safe and sound.”
“You’re an enigma, Marshall Riggins.”
A small laugh escapes my lips. Leaning in, I press my lips to her forehead. “You have no idea,” I tell her. Stepping back, I wait for her to close the door, and I don’t walk away until the lock clicks into place.
Chapter 12
Wren
A few minutes after eight, my cell phone rings. Glancing at the screen, I see Carrie’s name appear. I’m close on minutes so I wait for the phone to stop before firing off a text.
Me: Low on minutes
Carrie: On my way
Me: K
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen her so I was expecting a drop-in at some point. My guess is that she just got off work and she’ll be bringing breakfast. That’s how my best friend rolls. Dropping my phone to the floor, I roll over, the ache in my back present from sleeping on the lumpy couch. From down the hall, I hear Madeline cooing in her bed, and I know I need to get up and change her and get her fed.
The issue is that I’m exhausted. I barely slept a wink last night after Marshall dropped us off. A mountain of emotions kept me tossing and turning. The first was acceptance. I’m attracted to him and I can’t deny it any longer. Not even to myself.
Another was guilt. Travis hasn’t even been gone two years, and I’m already letting myself admit that I’m attracted to another man. The guilt grows deeper when I admit to myself that Travis and I never should have married. We were best friends, and I know he loved me, but I didn’t love him that way. We worked. I have no doubt that if he were still here, walking this earth, we would be happy together. However, since spending time with the Riggins family, I see the love and passion each couple shares, and we didn’t have that.
I want that.
The problem other than the guilt?
Two words.
Marshall Riggins.
One minute I’m barely getting by. I have Carrie in my corner and am fighting every day to make ends meet. I’m still fighting each day and I still have Carrie, but my circle has widened. I have Sawyer, Layla, Aurora, Aspen, and Sam. By association with these incredible ladies, I get their husbands, their kids, and their in-laws. A chance encounter with the kindhearted Marshall Riggins led to these new friendships. Sure, Aspen didn’t know who I was that day, but then again, maybe she did. I make a mental note to ask her. Regardless, it feels as though it’s fate, and it all started with Marshall.