knowing I’m not ready to take that step just yet. “Give it some time, okay?”
“Okay.” He nods, being a hell of a lot more patient and understanding than I would be if I were in his shoes. Leaning forward, he traps my chin between his thumb and index finger, turning my face up. “If you get lonely later, you know where to find me.” He winks, a smile gracing his lips.
“I wouldn’t count on it. Pretty sure I’m going to sleep like the dead tonight. Thank God I don’t have to work. I barely got any sleep today… Thanks to someone.”
“Not gonna apologize. Best day I’ve had in a very long time.”
“Me too.” I hate to agree with him, but what else can I do? It’s the truth.
“Tomorrow then?” He sweeps his lips across mine.
“Maybe.” I smile, wrapping my arms around his neck as he moves to deepen the kiss.
“I can deal with maybe,” he murmurs against my lips before pulling away. “I’ll see you later.”
“Okay.”
I watch him head toward the back door, tugging it open seconds later. Turning, he pauses in the doorway. He doesn’t say anything. He just stands there staring at me like he can’t believe I’m actually here. Funny, I know exactly how he feels.
After what feels like minutes have passed, but is likely only seconds, he turns and exits the house.
Chapter Twenty-Two
OAKLEY
* * *
I’m not sure what I’m doing. I’ve talked myself in and out of this for the last hour and after I finally settled against it, I completely changed my mind.
I make my way toward the door of the garage apartment, a million butterflies flapping around wildly in my stomach.
I had always hoped the day would come when Ellie would get to meet her father. And not the strung-out junkie he had become, but her real father. And now that the moment is here, I feel twisted in knots, still unsure if I’m doing the right thing.
“Mama.” Ellie tugs on my hand. “Da car is dis way.”
“I know, baby.” I smile down at her, tugging on the ends of one of her braided pigtails. “But I thought maybe a friend of mine could go to the park with us today. Would that be okay?”
“Aunt Kiki?” she asks hopeful.
“No, not Aunt Kiki. It’s my friend, Jace.”
“Wace,” she repeats.
“No, baby. Jace,” I correct, pronouncing his name again.
“Wace,” she repeats like she said it right the first time and doesn’t know what my problem is.
“Right.” I laugh, shaking my head at her. “He’s staying in the garage apartment for a while. I thought it might be nice for him to get outside and enjoy the nice day.”
“Okay.” She shrugs, leaning down to pluck a small white flower out of the grass before twirling the stem between her little fingers.
I watch her for a moment before crossing the remaining distance to the door. I hesitate, looking back at my daughter and then again to the door.
She may not realize the magnitude of this moment but I sure as hell do.
I take a deep breath in and blow it out slowly before lifting my fist and knocking.
The door swings open seconds later and Jace appears, looking too good to be true in black athletic shorts and a white tee.
“Hey.” He smiles. “What are you…” His words die on his lips when Ellie comes skipping up next to me.
“Hi, Wace.” She holds out the flower she picked.
His eyes instantly water over as he stares down at her. It’s like he can’t believe what he’s seeing. I’ve honestly felt that way since the moment she was born. She’s perfect, in every facet of the word.
“For me?” he questions, his voice thick.
“Yep.” She rocks back on her heels, letting him take the flower from her hand.
“Thank you. I love it.”
“Mama, can we go now?” She once again tugs on my hand impatiently.
“One second, baby,” I speak directly to her before turning my attention back to Jace. “Ellie and I were going to play at the park down the street. We thought maybe you’d like to join us.”
“Seriously?” He seems surprised but it doesn’t mask his excitement either.
“Seriously.”
“I would love to. Let me get some shoes on.”
“Okay.” I watch him from the open doorway. He stops at the kitchen counter, laying the flower Ellie gave him next to the sink before taking a seat on the bed to slip on his shoes.
“Ready.” His smile is so big I swear it’s nearly splitting his face in half. I haven’t seen him smile like