and nod in agreement. “She’ll have a field day.”
“So, Ashley’s the one?”
“She is,” I answer without hesitation. “I’m back for her, and when it’s time, I’ll tell Mom and Dad everything because they deserve to know the truth.”
I wish I could’ve said something to them early on. Between my dad’s health, helping out at his company, and then starting our own, there never seemed to be a good time to tell them anything. By the time I could, it was too late. Dad was healthy again, and Mom was able to breathe. I didn’t want to give them another blow and stick them with the news of a grandchild. It didn’t seem fair or right.
“You love her?”
“More than my next breath,” I respond.
“Well, hell. You need to make sure everything goes as planned. Do you think she’s starting to like you again?”
Ashley holds her reservations about me leaving her and destroying us. I destroyed her. I remind her of the life we could’ve had. In her mind, she wants a fairy tale. She wants a Prince Charming and a love story to tell her grandchildren. That’s what I want for her. I want to be the author of her fairy tale and give her the vision of a love story she wants. “I’ll be and do whatever she needs me to be.”
Nolan nods and clinks his glass with mine.
Chapter 21
Ashley
“Mom, I have a question?” I look at Alex from across the dinner table while he takes a healthy spoonful of macaroni and cheese and lifts it to his mouth.
“Please don’t talk with your mouth full.”
I’m exhausted. I worked sixteen-hour days for the past three days, and today, since leaving work and coming home, Alex is on a kick talking about Clayton and how cool he is and how he wants Clayton to come over more. I’m going through a mix of emotions. There’s part of me that’s excited Alex is happy about meeting Clayton and getting to know him. Then there’s part of me that’s jealous of how much Alex is starting to adore Clayton.
I’ll admit I’m proud of him and want to hear more about how he and Nolan came to run a business. It hurts knowing he needed to be there for his family.
I get it.
“I know. You always remind me of things I already know.”
I smile. “Get used to it. What’s your question?”
“Since you’re working overnight on Saturday, can Dad come over and spend the night with me?”
The spoon is in midair, and I don’t know how to answer his question. As much as I would love for that to happen, the idea of Clayton at my house when I’m not here doesn’t sit well with me. Then again, I’m not entirely surprised he wants to spend more time with his dad.
Since the first time Clayton met Alex, he’s been over three times for dinner and will stay to watch a movie then put Alex to bed. I chuckle at watching Clayton watch Disney movies. It only shows he’ll do anything for him, and his devotion is clear. I can’t fault him for that either.
As soon as Alex was placed in my arms when I came out of my coma, I cried and pressed my lips against his head. I whispered how much I loved him and how much I wanted him to be okay. He had me wrapped around his finger.
After he’s in bed, Clayton sticks around for another hour, and we make small talk. He’s told me about his time back with his family and starting this company, and I vent about my day at work.
I’m nervous to admit and accept this is turning into something. I don’t know if I can trust myself to believe something will happen between us. He hasn’t brought up the past or the future. But he watches me the way he used to when we were younger. If I’m doing the dishes, I can sense him staring, and I’ve caught him a few times. My body isn’t the same as it used to.
After having Alex, I developed a horrible image of my body and became anorexic. I wasn’t able to produce milk, so he was fed with formula. Leigh stepped in and got me the help I needed, and since then, I’ve gained close to thirty pounds. This was the heaviest I’d been, and it bothered me. I kept my workout schedule as best I could, but my desire to work out disappeared after working a sixteen-hour shift.
“Well, I