Love to Hate You (Hope Valley #9) - Jessica Prince Page 0,65

asked, “So how long has this been going on?”

Once again, I was cut off before I could answer. “I’d say since that weekend in Richmond a little over a month ago.” Micah’s eyes came to me then, the green glinting with amusement. “Right, Red?”

Had it really been just over a month since I met this man? It felt like so much longer. “Uh huh,” I replied, unable to form a full sentence for fear of bursting into laughter.

Alex’s mouth gaped open. “I didn’t—I wasn’t . . .” Tugging at the collar of his shirt, he cleared his throat awkwardly. “I, uh, wasn’t aware you were seeing anyone.”

I wiped the humor from my face and looked back to him. “Yeah, well . . . now you are. And you guys probably need to get on the road, huh? Ivy hasn’t had dinner yet.”

Micah turned his attention to my daughter. “All right, Monster. Time to go. Put one there.” He pointed at his cheek and Ivy gave it a smacking kiss before he put her down. I crouched down, dislodging Micah’s hold so I could give my baby girl a hug and kiss. “Love you, honey. Be good, and I’ll see you in a couple days.” As soon as I rose back up, Micah reclaimed me.

“Bye!” She waved enthusiastically as she skipped to the car and yanked the back door open.

“Hayden,” Alex said, pulling my attention from my daughter. “Can I have a quick word?” He cut his eyes to Micah for a split second. “Alone?”

“Not a chance,” my new man answered on my behalf, and the only reason I didn’t throw attitude was because he’d said exactly what I’d already planned on saying.

My ex bristled, and in that moment I couldn’t help but compare the two men standing there. It was no surprise that Alex came up short by miles. “I wasn’t speaking to you, thank you very much. I was talking to my wife.”

“No,” Micah gritted out instantly, “you were talkin’ to my woman.”

“She knows what I mean.”

I heard the whir of the automatic window seconds before Krista’s voice sounded. “Alex, sweetie? What’s taking so long?”

Things were deteriorating fast, and while I wasn’t thrilled Ivy would be leaving with them, I wanted Alex and Krista as far away from my home as possible. “Alex, it’s time for you to go.”

“Alex, come on,” Krista said in a whiny, nasally voice. “I’m hungry.”

He clenched his jaw while pulling a sharp breath in through his nose. “Just a second,” he said before looking back to me. “I’m going, but you and I need to talk. I’ll bring Ivy back a little early on Sunday so you and I have some time to sit down together.” At that, I felt Micah’s entire body spring so tight I thought he might snap.

“Alex!” Krista snapped, but he acted like he couldn’t hear her.

“If you want to bring her back early, that’s totally fine with me, but unless it directly involves Ivy, you and I have nothing to talk about. And if whatever you have to say does directly affect our daughter, you can tell me over the phone or through email.”

“Hady Cakes—”

“What did I tell you about calling me that?”

His whole frame rocked back. He was so used to me being the one to jump through hoops to make him happy that he was taken aback by my tone.

“Get in your car and go,” Micah rumbled under his voice. “You make me say it again, you aren’t gonna like what happens.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“Clue in, asshole. You’re standin’ on my woman’s property in my town, and I’m the one wearin’ a badge. How do you think this is gonna play out for you?”

I was officially done with this whole thing. Stepping out of Micah’s grasp, I moved to the back door of the car and pulled it open, leaning in to buckle Ivy into her booster. “Have the best weekend ever, love bug.”

“’Kay, Mommy. Love you.”

“And I love you.” I gave her one last kiss before closing the door and moving away. I didn’t bother giving Alex another look as I started up the cobblestones toward my house. Micah’s footfalls sounded on the path as he followed after me. A few seconds later, I heard a car door open and slam shut. Alex’s car was gone by the time I walked into my living room and stared out the front window.

Micah came through the front door after me, closing it behind him. I could see him