Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
“It did?” I ask, intrigued by what’s so funny.
“Eddie doesn’t need the scholarship anymore. Please don’t take it personally, but she’s returned it to the university.”
“What happened? Did she win the lottery or something? She’s not dropped out?” I know that would be devastating to Eira.
“No, she’s still studying for her degree. When my uncle died, Eddie, Dylan and I…we finally got our inheritance.”
“Congratulations,” I say. “You must be thrilled. I mean, I know it’s sad your uncle died—”
“It’s not sad. It means everything’s resolved now. But things started to fit together before then. And you helped me with that. You helped me to see that I saw my value in the world as being dependent on helping others. I hadn’t realized that before. And then when my uncle died, everything crystalized and it was as if I’d been set free from my past.”
“Because of your inheritance?” I ask. “Does that mean you wouldn’t have come back if your uncle hadn’t died?” My heart clenches at the idea of Eira and I being so fragile.
“I needed to have a little space from you so I knew our relationship wasn’t about my need to mother people. And then spending time with Eddie after she’d emancipated herself—financially I mean. It’s different. Our relationship is evolving, and it gave me hope that I could be more to someone than a caregiver.
“Coming back to you isn’t about the money. It’s about being freed by the resolution of my past. I’m not an adjunct to anyone. Not my parents or to Dylan and Eddie. My uncle’s death just speeded up all those feelings. Like I was on the precipice of feeling that freedom. His death just gave me a little shove.” She laughs, and I feel it in my core. She’s really happy.
“I want you to let me take care of you,” I say, sweeping my thumb across her wrist. “And I want you to take care of me—but I don’t need mothering. That’s not…not what attracts me to you.”
Our gazes lock, and I wish we were at home so I could pull her onto my lap and hold her against me.
“Good to know,” she whispers.
There’s a beat of silence, then another, and I feel as if we’re making up for lost time, like the bond between us is deepening, just by being here, holding hands.
“I know you’re a new father and you have a new nanny—”
“You’re not having your job back, by the way.”
She gives me a look of feigned shock. “You’ve found someone better. I knew you would.”
“Never,” I say. “But I don’t want you to be my employee.”
“Good,” she says with a decisive nod. “Because something I’ve learned about myself is that I can’t sleep with my boss.”
“Who else can’t you sleep with?” I ask. “Because I need to make sure I don’t fall into any of those categories.”
She laughs. “It’s going to be tough. I can’t sleep with guys without a D in their name.”
“Tick. What else?”
“Guys who don’t love their daughters.”
“Tick, tick. What else?”
“Guys without a dimple on their left cheek.”
“Shit,” I say. “Can I get a dimple implant?”
“What?” She pulls forward in her seat and releases my hand before reaching for my cheek. “You have one right here.”
I catch her hand and kiss the inside of her wrist. “If you say so.”
“What about you?” She looks up at me from under her lashes. “Priorities shift and change after becoming a parent. What do you want?”
Isn’t it obvious? Doesn’t she know?
“You,” I say.
I enjoy the blush spreading across her throat.
“You,” I say again. “It’s that simple.”
“Does that mean we’re officially dating?” she asks.
“That means if I thought you wouldn’t freak out and leave for another six weeks, I’d ask you to marry me.”
She sucks in a breath, her eyelashes fluttering as she takes in what I’ve said. “Dax.” Her voice is breathless.
“I’m not asking. But I will. In the meantime, we’ll eat steak. Take Guinevere to the park. Decorate the house. Hang out with your brother and sister, my brothers, my parents. I’ll go to work and try to change the world, you’ll figure out what you’re going to do, and we’ll live our lives together. Just like we’re married.”
She laughs. “That sounds like a great plan, but there’s one wrinkle in it.”
I shake my head. I’m not worried. I started the evening off nervous, but seeing Eira, being with her, watching her watch me—I know. We are inextricably connected. There’s no doubt we’ll be together forever. “Tell me,” I say.
“It may take a while to figure out what I want. I’ve decided I’m going to start at the beginning.”
“Back to university?” I ask.
She nods. “Yup. I’m doing some night school, figuring out what’s interesting, and then I’ll apply. I don’t have a plan beyond that. I hadn’t thought past tonight and trying to win you back.”