She cuts me off again. “Maisley and her mommy, Clarissa, were living without a daddy,” she says, breaking my damn heart.
“Hey, whose story is this, mine or yours?”
“I’m helping. I’m so, so good at it,” she says.
“Okay, go on,” I say, even though I’m not sure my heart can take it. Not where this little girl is concerned.
“Maisley and her mommy didn’t have a daddy. One day, Maisley meets,” she stops. “What whimes with East?”
“Beast?” I ask, seeing the Beauty and the Beast poster on her wall.
“Yeah!” she says like it’s the best idea she’s ever heard. “One day, Maisley meets Beast, and he becomes her friend.”
“This story sounds awfully familiar,” I say, tapping the end of her nose.
“East, I’m telling a story. You’re ’posta stay quiet.”
“Sorry, carry on.” I hold my hands up in surrender.
“They play catch together, and take naps. Maisley loves her new friend so, so much, the end,” she says proudly.
Leaning in, I brush her hair back from her eyes. “Can I tell you a secret?”
Her eyes grow wide and she nods. “I love you, too,” I say, kissing the tip of her nose.
Her little arms fly around my neck and she squeezes me with all her might. “You’re my best friend,” she whispers.
I hold her a little tighter than I should with her size, but I need a minute for the emotions, the happiness, the love, the want, to flow through me. “All right you,” I say once I’ve composed myself. “It’s nap time. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
Standing outside Paisley’s room, I wipe the tears that I can’t keep from falling. He’s so good with her, and she loves him. Hearing their story is like someone reached inside my chest and is squeezing my heart. I want to give her that. A family, a man she can confide in, a man she can lean on. Until Easton, there has been no one. At least not that she’s met. I’ve had a few dates here and there, but nothing and no one I would consider bringing into her life. Why did I do it with him? I’ve asked myself this question more times than I count, but it’s not until now that I can give myself an honest answer. Easton Monroe is a gift to us. He’s loving and kind. He makes our lives better by just being a part of them.
“Hey,” he says, stepping out into the hall. I don’t have time to turn and hide my tears before his big hands are cupping my cheeks. “What’s wrong?”
“She loves you.”
“The feeling’s mutual. She’s a great kid.”
“What are we doing, Easton? The more time you spend with her, the harder she falls for you. Her story—” My voice trails off and I shake my head.
“I can’t tell you what you’re doing, but I can tell you what I’m doing.” He pauses, waiting for me to look at him. When my eyes are locked on his, he moves on. “I met this woman… she’s gorgeous. I mean ‘take my breath away’ gorgeous. She’s also smart as hell, hard-working, and somehow balancing working and school. She’s cast a spell on me, so much so that I can’t get her out of my head. A spell so profound that I don’t even want to. Then, one day I find out she has a kid. A little girl, who resembles her momma in so many ways. A little girl who is living, breathing proof of how amazing this woman is. She’s raised her with little help, supports both of them, and never once have I heard her complain about being tired or being ready to give up. Instead, I get this woman, who makes me want to be a better man, for her and her daughter.”
Tears fall silently down my cheeks. I can feel them as they slide over his fingers that are still holding my face.
“I’m not playing games with you or with her. I know my lifestyle can be a pain in the ass, and it’s not for everyone, but I’m asking you, Larissa. Please, let me in. Let’s make us official. I want to be able to call you mine. I want to know that I can stop by to see the two of you whenever I want. I want you to do the same at my place, even if I’m not there. Take P swimming or just be there, in my space. I want our lives so entwined that none of us will be able to remember what life was like before we met.”
I stand there, my mind racing to process his words. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and release the worry and the fear. This man is standing before me, pouring his heart out. He wants to be here, or he wouldn’t be before me now. I know that. He’s great with my daughter, and if the day comes where this doesn’t work, she will know the love of a good man. Something she’s never experienced. I know in my heart that’s what he is: a good man.
“What do you say, Ris? Can we make this thing between us official?”
Slowly, I open my eyes. He’s watching me, waiting for my answer. I can’t seem to find the words, and a lame head nod doesn’t seem to be fitting for this moment. It needs more. So I stand on my tiptoes and press my lips to his. Before I realize what’s happening, Easton grips my ass and lifts me into the air. On instinct, I wrap my legs around his waist, and lock my arms around his neck, holding on for the ride. He doesn’t stop until we’re in my room across the hall. Easton breaks the kiss and sits me on the bed. I watch him as he walks back out the bedroom door. I can hear his footsteps throughout the house. I’m just about to go look for him to see what he’s doing when he appears in my doorway. Quietly, he closes the door and turns the lock.
“What did you do?”
“I locked the front door and moved the couch in front of the hallway.”
“O-kay,” I say slowly. “I get the front door. Why the couch?”
“Because I’m going to devour you and if we happen to not hear Paisley wake up, I don’t want her to get burned in the kitchen, or get cut, or sneak out the front door or anything else curious little girls can get into.”