Always with You - Part One(11)

Sophie's eyes widen. Obviously she does know Cash well enough to know when she's pushed him too far.

"No, I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that … I know how you used to be and … and … "

"I married Olivia because I can't live without her. I wasn't the marrying type until I met her. Now, I'm happier than I've ever been. Ever. And we will be having kids. We've got all the time in the world, though, so we're waiting until our house finished. Waiting until everything is perfect. As perfect as she is," he says, turning to smile down into my face and coming to my rescue in the most amazing way possible.

I lean up to place a quick kiss on his chin before I turn to walk away.

"Thank you, Olivia. And I'm sorry," Sophie calls out behind me.

My step stutters slightly. I want to turn around and snarl at her, to sneer that I'm sorry, too. Sorry that Cash ever knew her. Sorry that she found us. Sorry that he might've had a child with another woman. But I don't do any of that. I pull myself together and throw my brightest smile over my shoulder. "I just hope you know how to bartend."

And, with that, I leave her behind.

At least for the moment.





CHAPTER NINE



Cash



When I find Olivia, she is standing in the doorway of the office, staring at the sleeping girl on the couch. I stop behind her, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her into my chest. She doesn't turn, but rests her head against my shoulder and continues staring at Isabella.

"I don't like that she calls her Izzy," she says in a whisper.

I smile. "I don't either. She doesn't look like an Izzy. She looks like an Isabella."

"Exactly," she agrees. After a full two minutes of silence, she speaks again. "She really is a beautiful child."

I don't argue with her because I can't. Isabella is a beautiful child. But what I do tell my wife is the truth as I see it. "No human will be as beautiful as our child will be, though. Her dazzling green eyes will confound scientists. Her creamy skin will entrance artists. And her brilliant smile will be the envy of the stars."



       
         
       
        

"God I love the way your mind works," she replies, a hitch in her voice.

I release her only enough to turn her toward me. Her emerald eyes are shiny with unshed tears. "I'm right, you know. There will be no comparison to what we create together."

She nods, but doesn't speak for a few seconds. "But still, she's beautiful," she says, tipping her head back toward Isabella. "And you'll love her, too. Because that's just who you are."

Even though her heart is breaking right inside her eyes, she's trying to make the best of this. To think the best of me. It makes me love her that much more.

"I'm the best me when I'm with you. I'm the best me because of you."

As I watch, fear skates in across Olivia's features, draining all the color from her face. "Cash, I'm scared."

I pull her hard against me, burying my nose in her neck and bending to lift her off her feet. "Don't be scared. You've got me. All of me. You had me from the second you took my shirt off. You stripped me that night. More than you'll ever know. No one could ever take me away from you, or from the family we're going to have. No one. I swear it."

I feel the shudder that trembles through her slight body and I squeeze her tighter, wishing I could absorb her hurt. Take it away. Make all of this better. Because it seems to be getting worse. Now not only do I possibly have a daughter, but my ex is staying in my apartment and working in my bar. With my wife. And while Sophie always had a good heart, she's devious and determined. If she thinks she can get me back, she won't think twice about doing whatever she thinks she needs to in order to get Olivia out of the way. That's why I'm going to have to set her straight as soon as I can get her alone. And keep an eye out for anything suspicious. I still care about Sophie, but I can't say I'm glad to see her again. She was trouble before. I get the feeling she's gotten even worse with age.

But still, she is an old friend. An old family friend. And my mom loved her. And more than any of that, she might be the mother of my first child. The results of that paternity test will set us on a path forward. Until then … I just have to bide my time.

"I love you," Olivia mumbles as she turns her face toward my ear.

My favorite words.

"I love you more," I tell her.

"Not. Possible."

"Quite. Possible."

"Never."

"Always."

I feel her lips spread against my skin and I know she's smiling. That's become sort of our thing.