Wicked as Lies (Wicked & Devoted #3) - Shayla Black Page 0,46

have to see this from my perspective. You ran out on me when I needed you most. At a time when I was terrified of giving birth. After you knew I’d lost my mother. Hell, when I couldn’t even bend down well enough to shave my own legs. I had to drive myself to the hospital in the middle of the night while having contractions because you didn’t think you could ‘handle’ all this and I looked too big for you to want anymore. Despite being younger than you, I came home with a baby I didn’t know how to take care of, handled every sleepless night by myself, and supported the two of us without any help because you left me no choice. And you did it as my dad and I had a massive falling-out. I’ve been utterly alone. How am I supposed to overlook that and trust you again?”

He frowned, the grooves between his brows deepening as if every word she said was a blow. “I-I didn’t know. I should have thought or realized or…been less selfish. I know saying I’m sorry doesn’t make up for everything I’ve done to you, but it’s all I have to offer. Well, that and my promise—as a man, as a father. I’ll never leave you high and dry again. I want to be a part of Hallie’s life. And I know you have no reason to believe me. Just give me a chance. Let me take you two to dinner.”

Did he understand what he was asking? “Cash, she’ll be six months old tomorrow.”

“Yeah.”

Tessa tried not to roll her eyes. “You don’t know anything about babies, do you?”

He had the good grace to grimace. “No.”

“She doesn’t eat solid food yet.”

“Oh. Do you, um”—he pointed vaguely at her breasts—“feed her yourself?”

“She’s on bottles now.” Another fact that crushed Tessa. But with so much stress, not to mention the upheaval in her schedule with Hallie going to daycare, it was no surprise. She couldn’t lay the blame for that at Cash’s feet, but his absence surely hadn’t helped.

“Got it.” His expression said he wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or disappointed.

“I doubt she’ll sit quietly at a restaurant long enough for us to eat a meal and talk. She’s getting active. She likes to get on her hands and knees and rock back and forth.”

“Why?”

Was he that clueless? “She’s going to start crawling any day, and she wants the freedom to roll and stretch. She’s sitting up by herself, too. She’s made a lot of progress in the last few weeks.”

“Because she’s smart like her mommy.”

Tessa didn’t correct him. He might not grasp that Hallie’s newfound abilities were a statement of her motor skills, not her intelligence. But he was trying to be nice—and grovel—so she let it slide.

“I just don’t think dinner is going to work.”

“A walk. A trip to the park. Something.” He grabbed her shoulders. “Anything. I just want to spend time with you two. Please.”

Before she could answer, Hallie began to fuss, which quickly spiraled into a wail.

“This is perfect. She’s awake!”

She was, and Tessa had run out of excuses. The truth was, she’d been wishing for an active father figure in Hallie’s life, and Cash stood right here, saying he’d be true-blue. Even if she had good reason to doubt him, maybe she should let him try. It wasn’t as if she and Zy were going to get together anytime soon.

“I’ll need to change her and warm her a bottle and—”

“I’ll help.”

“I got this.” Tessa backed away. She didn’t want him in her house, not until she was at least halfway sure she could trust him. “Why don’t you head around back and sit under the patio cover?”

He looked appalled. “It’s August. It’s hotter than f—”

“I know. I’ve got a ceiling fan out there. You’ll find the switch next to the back porch light. If you want to meet Hallie, I’ll bring her out back to feed her.” And if he wanted to avoid the heat more than he wanted to meet his daughter…well, that would tell her something, too.

“All right. I’ll wait out back. Thank you.”

With a nod, Tessa shut the front door, hoping like hell she didn’t regret this. On her way to Hallie’s room, she passed the chair she’d been sitting in and swiped her phone. Vaguely, she thought of texting Zy to tell him that Cash had returned. Once upon a time, he would have cared. He would have come over right away and