“Hello.”
“Just come back to mine. We can visit them in the morning,” Holden says.
“Rylee.” August’s voice comes through the phone. It’s so weird to hear him say my name. I’m not sure I will ever get used to it.
I push Holden off and step back from his mouth. “What is it? Is Winter okay?” I ask, my voice rising.
“She asked for you. She was a little upset, so I told her we would call you.” August’s voice is annoyed, not with Winter, but the bite in his voice is directed at me.
“I’ll call back in five minutes. Let me get to my car.”
“Mom, can you come here? Please?” Winter’s voice sounds teary in the background.
“She wants her mother,” he says.
“I’m coming.” I hang up, look at Holden and smile. “I have to go. Thanks for dinner, Holden.”
Holden’s smile drops and he nods. “Call me later this week?” he asks.
I nod and climb into my car and drive straight to August’s. When I arrive, I get out of the car and head straight to the door and softly knock. I hear August’s voice telling me to come in, and when I do I find him on the couch with Winter curled up on his lap, asleep.
“She fell asleep?” I ask, glancing down at her as I step in a little closer to them.
“She did.” I notice his forest green gaze tracing my outfit. It’s a short, red dress that I matched with some black heels, and it makes my cleavage look amazing.
“Is she okay?” I ask, leaning down and kissing her cheek, which in turn puts me close to him. So close that I can smell him. Everywhere. I suck in a breath and pull away, knowing full well he is married, and I would never be the person to break that up. Not ever.
“Yes, she’s fine. You can leave if you like.”
“I have to get to Rhianna’s anyway. Are you sure you don’t want me to take her?” He looks down at her sleeping form, and when he talks next, he doesn’t meet my eyes until the last word leaves his lips. “She sleeps exactly like you.”
“I should go,” I say, straightening and making my way to the door. When I look back, August is still in the same spot with her cradled in his arms.
“She’s quite literally perfect. How was she when she was a baby?” he asks.
I answer from my spot at the door, not daring to go near him again. “She was a great sleeper, as long as she slept next to me. She was breastfed until she was six months, and I went back to work. She isn’t a fussy eater, and she loves almost everyone she meets.”
“So, she’s perfect,” he says.
“I like to think she is … yes.”
“I’m sorry, Rylee. I’m sorry for leaving. If I knew…” He looks over his shoulder to where I stand at the door.
I shake my head at him. “It was meant to be this way. I had you for a moment, so I could have her for a lifetime,” I tell him, then walk out the door, shutting it gently behind me. I get in the car and sit there for a moment, looking at his house and wondering if it could have worked if he’d stayed.
Probably not, but the thought is nice.
Chapter 17
August
I never thought I would be a father. It was never something I dreamed about being. Considering I never had one, I wasn’t sure of the right way to go about raising a child since I never had a good example. But when I saw her, I knew without a shadow of a doubt she was mine. It was like something inside of me clicked, and I needed her. I wanted to be in her life, no matter the cost. And believe me, there is a cost.
“Mommy is here,” Winter says, jumping from the table when her mother knocks on the front door. Winter opens the door and flies straight into Rylee’s arms. I love them together. In the small amount of time I’ve seen them together, I know their love is unbreakable. It’s a love Rylee has always deserved, and I couldn’t give to her, but some part of me did.
“Hey, sorry, I’m early.” She pushes back her dark hair and steps in. She’s in shorts that showcase her long, toned legs and a shirt that falls just above her belly. She looks good. Then again, when doesn’t she?
“It’s no issue. I was hoping you would be. Mary is on her way. You’re welcome to stay…”
“No, I think I may get going. We have a barbecue today at my mother’s.” Winter runs up the stairs and comes back down with her bag in hand, and Rylee places her hand on her hip as she looks toward me in the kitchen.