“That’s what nice guys do.”
“Okay, what about knocking up my roommate? Is that what nice guys do too?”
“Considering I came to your apartment that night to tell you how much I loved you—”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“You came to my apartment to tell me you loved me, but ended up getting my roommate pregnant? How did that happen, Caleb? Did you fall and your dick just happened to slip into her—”
“She was in your bed. I thought she was you.”
My heart began pounding against my chest. “In my bed? What was she doing in my bed?”
“Tell me, Evie.” He folded his arms over his chest. “Did you ever inform Tessa of who my family was?”
“I … I … I don’t remember, but why does it matter if I did?”
“Because she—”
“Evie!” Ariel shouted down the hallway, running into my room with Ethan behind her. “I don’t want to do piano today. Can we go to the island instead?” She halted her steps when she realized her father was on my bed. “Daddy, what are you doing in here?” She giggled in the cutest sound.
My head was once again full of questions I couldn’t ask him with his children around.
Because she what?
Resisting the urge to ask, I answered Ariel. “He’s in here so I can help him plan all the fun things we have in store for you two.”
“Fun things?” Ethan questioned, looking at him. “You’re not going to work?”
“Not this time, bud.”
“You mean you’re going to stay here with us?”
I could hear the hesitation in his voice, making me sad for all of them.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
To my surprise, Ethan glanced over at me with the same expression that was on his sister’s face. Both of them stared at me like lost puppies, waiting for my reaction.
Or maybe it was my approval?
I smiled, nodding in reassurance.
“Baby girl.” Caleb smiled at her. “I think going to the island is the best idea.”
“Really, Daddy?” She beamed.
“Of course, and you have me all to yourself.”
“Ethan! Did you hear what Daddy said?”
“You swear, Dad?”
“I promise.” He nodded. “This trip is the first of many to come.”
Shifting his gaze to meet my eyes, he added, “As a family.”
Rendering me speechless.
Caleb
I was going to tell her everything.
I just needed to find the right time without getting interrupted by two little people, demanding my time as well.
“Dad, go long!” Ethan yelled while we were playing football on the private island.
We’d been on the island for most of the day. Evie and Ariel were sitting in the loungers under the umbrellas, eating lunch and laughing. I loved hearing them laugh. It was the greatest sound in the world.
The way my kids took to her as if she was what they’d been waiting for all their lives was exactly the reason I fell for her in the first place. She had this power to bring out the best in people.
Her contagious laugh.
Her carefree personality.
The way she loved with all of her heart and soul.
It was all addicting.
She was addicting.
Being there with her and my children was a dream I’d been fantasizing about for as long as I could remember. From the moment Tessa told me she was pregnant—this was what I wanted.
Then.
Now.
Always.
With Evie.
For the first time in I don’t know how long, I enjoyed the fresh air and sun, soaking up all the happiness and excitement that was pouring out of my kids in a way I’d never seen before.
I ran over to Ethan, catching him by surprise. He didn’t expect me to throw him over my shoulder and toss him into the water. From the expression on his face, he was startled I was being so playful, but he quickly pushed it away and jumped onto my back. Ariel didn’t waste any time as she darted down the beach with her little legs, making me laugh at her adorableness.
“Ethan! Let’s get Daddy!”
We all wrestled around in the water while Evie laughed her ass off at the sight of us, loving the lightheartedness that was happening in front of her.
I couldn’t help but want to include her in the fun.
“Oh, you think you’re safe from getting wet?”
“Caleb,” she warned as I treaded toward her, determined to get what I wanted.
Wet Evie pressed against my body was always my favorite.
She put her hands out. “Don’t you dare!”
“But you used to love when I’d get you all wet for me.”
“Caleb, I’m not playing!”
I didn’t listen to a word she said. She was about to get away, but she wasn’t fast enough. Gripping onto her hand, I threw her over my shoulder with her ass now near my face.
“Caleb!” She thrashed around. “Put me down!”
“Where would the fun be in that?”
“Yay! Daddy!” Ariel excitingly exclaimed. “Let’s get her!”
“Yeah, Dad! Throw her in!”
“Hey!” Evie laughed. “You two are supposed to be on my side, not his!”