Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56217 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56217 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Plus, it wasn’t like I didn’t have any feelings for her. I thought she was sweet and kind. I enjoyed spending time with her. When I wasn’t with her, I thought of her often. The idea of not having that closeness with her anymore was making me crazy.
I reached her office and knocked on the door. When there was no answer, I opened the door. My heart filled with emotion at the sight of Lily curled up against Bella as they both slept on the couch. For a moment, I just watched them, their breathing slow and steady, in sync with each other. Their faces looking so serene. It was a beautiful sight. A part of me was envious. Lily clearly had Bella’s heart just as Bella had Lily’s. I was the third wheel in this triangle.
I moved to them and squatted down. “Lilybug,” I whispered as I gently caressed her cheek.
Her eyes fluttered open. “Daddy.” Her smile was so sweet.
I thought about letting Bella sleep, knowing she would need her rest. But I didn’t want her to wake and find Lily gone. She might worry that Lily had wandered off.
“Bella.” I had an urge to kiss her like Prince Charming did to Snow White. Or was it Sleeping Beauty? Maybe it was both. But I resisted and instead gently took Lily from her. Still tired, Lily dropped her head on my shoulder.
Bella’s eyes popped open and she jerked as if startled.
“I’m sorry I scared you. It’s time to go.”
She rubbed her eyes and looked a little disoriented. Then she checked her watch. “I’m sorry I fell asleep.”
“It’s fine. You’re going to feel tired.” I didn’t mention that I knew about the fatigue of pregnancy because of Joanna’s experience.
She nodded as she sat up. She looked at me holding Lily who wasn’t asleep but rested her head on my shoulder. Bella’s expression turned sad. I wondered if she felt like the third wheel now.
“We can wait and I’ll walk down with you,” I said standing to give her room.
“That’s okay. I don’t want to hold you up.”
I frowned. Was she going to try and avoid me from now on? “I’ll wait.”
She nodded and got up to get her bag and together we walked to the elevator to leave.
“We need to talk, Bella.”
“I know, but we have time, right?”
My jaw clenched in annoyance. “I want to be involved now. I have rights.” I glanced at Lily. I wasn’t ready for her to know about the baby, but I really needed to make Bella understand my intentions.
She looked at me. “Is that how you feel really? Or is it out of obligation?”
“What does it matter? I plan to be involved and don’t appreciate being ignored. I get that you don’t want to be with me, and I’ll respect that, but I won’t be left out.”
She inhaled deeply and turned to look at the elevator door. “I know. And I will. It’s just all so new. I’m still processing.”
“You don’t need to do it alone.”
Her lips quivered and it reminded me just how alone she was.
“Bella.” I reached out and touched her shoulder. “Really. You won’t do this alone.”
She sniffed and gave a short nod. The doors opened and we headed out through the lobby to the street.
“Let us give you a ride home,” I said.
“You don’t—”
“Jesus, Bella, are you going to fight me on everything?”
“I want Bella to come with us,” Lilly said lifting her head.
With another breath, Bella agreed. I tried not to show my frustration that she’d only come with us because Lily asked and not me.
In the car, Lily carried most of the conversation until we reached Bella’s apartment. As I looked at the building and remembered the size of her place, I realized she’d need more room. Maybe I could ask her to come live with us. At the very least, I’d need to help her get a place with a doorman. I didn’t bring it up now knowing she’d balk.
As we pulled away from dropping Bella off, Lily moved to the seat next to me and looked out the window. “Why can’t she come home with us?”
“Because she lives here.” I reached over and pulled her from the window. “You need to sit.”
“But she’s all by herself. Won’t she get lonely?” Lily sat in her seat, her sweet little face looking up at me.
“She seems to like being alone.”
It bothered me that she was by herself in the world, but maybe she did like it like that. It wasn’t as if she didn’t have the social skills and resources to get out and meet people. She’d need help now, but apparently, she didn’t want it from me. Well too bad.
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
Lily’s face scrunched up into thought. It made me smile because it was adorable.
“We could be her family, Daddy.”