“And for all we know he still is,” Bob says, clearly on a roll and not intending to stop anytime soon. “And I don’t want my baby granddaughter growing up in a house with a man—”
“Get out.” My voice rumbles like thunder through the kitchen, low and ominous, vibrating the paintings on the wall.
I close the door carefully behind me, barely resisting the urge to slam it with the full force of my arm.
I can’t start slamming things. If I do, I have a feeling it won’t be long before I’m slamming a fist into Bob March’s face.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Nash
“Get. Out.” I point a finger at the front door. “Now.”
“Nash, wait.” Aria’s eyes go wide as she positions herself between us. “He didn’t mean that. He’s angry and he always says stupid shit when he’s angry.”
“Don’t tell me what I do and don’t mean.” Bob tries to circle around her, but she grabs his arm and holds on tight, her expression growing progressively frantic as Felicity starts wailing in the other room.
“I’m going to go get the baby,” I say, speaking directly to Aria, refusing to look Bob in his red face. “When I get back, I need him out of the house. For both of our sakes.”
Aria nods too fast. I hate seeing her so upset, but I can’t comfort her now. All I can do is remove myself from the situation before I pop Bob March in his mean little mouth.
I hurry down the hall to Felicity’s room, ignoring Bob’s shouted order not to touch his granddaughter and open the door just as the baby’s tears hit the crescendo point. As soon as Felicity sees me, she sucks in a breath and reaches out, the relief on her face making me feel like a hero as I cross the room to scoop her into my arms.
This is who I want to be, this little girl’s hero, not a suspicious jerk who spies on my wife.
“It’s okay,” I say, swaying back and forth as Felicity wraps her pudgy arms around my neck and buries her face in my sweat-stained running shirt, not seeming to mind the stink. “Being left in your bed is the worst, huh, Skeeter?”
Felicity snuffles in what sounds like agreement, her sobs already beginning to subside as I rub her back in slow circles.
“I’m sorry,” I say, relieved to hear the front door close and Bob and Aria’s voices move outside. “Mama and I were distracted by a mean guy, but he should be gone soon, and then we can go get your milk.”
“Mik?” Felicity pulls her head from my chest, but keeps her hands fisted in my shirt, as if to make sure I can’t get away. “Mik?”
“Milk.” I grin, realizing Felicity’s added a new word to her repertoire.
“Mik,” she repeats again with a grin.
I laugh. “That’s right. You’re the smartest girl I know.” I give her a squeeze and kiss her pudgy cheek.
Felicity leans in, granting me one of her slobbery, open-mouthed versions of a kiss on my chin in return, breaking my heart in the process. I would never hurt this little girl. I would never hurt any child, and the fact that Bob March dared to say…
That he would even think that I’m the kind of man…
I can’t finish the thought. It’s too repulsive and depraved to let it swim around in my head even for a second.
I take a deep breath, forcing my rage away as I carry Felicity to the changing table for a fresh diaper.
“All right, let’s go get that milk,” I say when we’re done, scooping her back into my arms. “I bet it’s safe out there now.”
I start down the hall and am nearly to the living room when I hear a car start out in the driveway. A second later, Aria slams back inside, making no effort to be gentle with the door closing.
“That man is impossible,” she says through gritted teeth, forcing a tight smile when she sees Felicity. “Good morning, sugar, did you sleep well?”
Felicity holds up a hand and lets forth a stream of babble that sounds so much like conversation, Aria and I both laugh.
“Is that right?” Aria asks, shaking her head. “Well, I’m so sorry about that. We won’t keep you waiting next time.”
“No, we won’t.” Our eyes meet over Felicity’s head, and a silent apology passes between us. But I know we still have to talk later. I have more to apologize for.
“Well, let’s see if milk can still make everything better.” Aria starts toward the kitchen, but stops when Felicity shouts—
“Mik! Mik!”
Aria spins, joy lighting her eyes. “What’s this? A new word?”
“New word,” I confirm. “I told Skeeter she’s the smartest baby ever.”
“Well, she obviously gets it from me.” Aria rolls her eyes. “You won’t believe what my ex has been up to. I mean, I knew he was stupid, but you’re not going to believe—”