Misconception (Coming Home)

“If I would have gotten that letter” I swallow past the lump in my throat. “I would have been on the next plane home. I would have been here, Riley. Please tell me you know that. I would have been here for every second of your pregnancy.”

“I know that now.”

“Fuck,” I mutter, running my hands through my hair. “We missed so much because I fucking left. I should have stayed. I should have fought for you. I should have told you what that night meant to me.”

“You’re here now. I know you missed the pregnancy and his birth, but you’re here. He’s never going to remember a time when you weren’t here.”

I can’t take it anymore. I need her in my arms. I need both of them in my arms.

In a few long strides, I’m standing in front of her. I snake my arm around her waist and pull them both toward me. It feels as though I’m holding my heart in my arms. That’s what these two are to me. I never want to be without either of them again.

“I love you so fucking much. Both of you.” I pause. “I’m not asking again because I know you’re going to tell me -no, but I’m warning you, Riley, it’s coming. I’m going to drop to one knee and ask you to marry me.”

“I’m warning you. I might say yes.”

The pounding in my heart kicks up, and I know she can feel it. I want her to feel it. I need her to understand that the love I have for her is out of my control. My heart knows no one but her.

CHAPTER 25

Riley

“Riley, how’s that man of yours?” Miss Betty asks.

I’m in the middle of rolling her hair for a perm. “Hayes is growing like a weed.” I bite my cheek, trying not to laugh. I know she was referring to Hudson.

“And his daddy?” She wags her bushy eyebrows.

“He’s missing his girl, so is Hayes.” I turn at the sound of Hudson’s voice. He’s standing a few feet behind me with the car seat hanging off his arm. He takes the few last steps to close the distance between us and kisses me softly. “Missed you,” he says huskily.

“Gah. You do realize it’s like watching my brother and my sister make out when you do that, right?” Raven asks.

“Rave, can you do me a favor?” Hudson asks her.

“Sure, what’s up?”

“Picture how we made this little guy,” he says with an evil laugh. Margaret, who is in Raven’s chair, and Miss Betty think he’s hilarious, as does Hudson.

I smack at his arm playfully. “Stop torturing her.”

“She needs to stop calling you my sister. You’re going to be my wife.” His voice is all growly and sexy.

“What?” Margaret shrieks. “You’re engaged?”

“How did I miss this revelation?” Miss Betty asks me, meeting my eyes in the mirror.

“We are not engaged,” I say adamantly. Honestly, I don’t know why I keep telling him no at this point. I think it’s just out of pure orneriness.

“She’s playing hard to get,” Hudson teases.

I ignore him and bend down to talk to my son, who is wide awake and taking it all in. “Hey, handsome. Did Daddy bring you to see Mommy at work?” I ask him as if he can actually answer me. It’s an issue that I have, but I don’t care that it makes me look crazy.

“We did, and you have an appointment at noon, right?”

“I do.”

“We thought we would go with you.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I know, but I want to. I thought we could grab lunch too.”

“Well, I have about an hour or so before I’m finished here.”

“I know that too. But-” he turns his gaze to Raven“my sister-in-law had a cancelation and needed her Hayes fix.”

“I see how it is. Making plans without me.”

“Never.” He leans in and kisses me. “You do what you need to do, baby. We’ll be in the back just chilling.”

I smile up at him. “Behave.”

“Always.” He winks and saunters to the back of the salon in the small break lounge area.

“You better let that one put a ring on it.” Miss Betty points at me in the mirror.

“Miss Betty.” I laugh. “Look at you being all hip and whatnot,” I tease.

“Laugh it up, girly. They don’t make them like him anymore.”

“I know,” I assure her. “I’m very lucky.”

“I’ll say.” Margaret fans her face with her hands.

“You’re all set,” Raven tells her.

“Thanks, Raven. Let’s get you paid so you can get your baby snuggles.” They make their way to the register, and I meet Miss Betty’s eyes again.

“What are you afraid of?”

“What?” I ask, confused.

“Why are you not saying yes? Any fool can see he loves you.”

“You know, Miss Betty, I’m not sure. At first, it was because I didn’t want him to think that he had to marry me because of the baby, but now, I don’t really know. He’s been here every step of the way since he found out that Hayes was his son.”