Page 121 of Sloane

“Of course she’s going to forgive you. She said so herself, you were the love of her life. You might have to grovel like you’ve never groveled before, but she’ll come around. Eventually. Maybe.”

I’d never groveled in my life. Of course, I’d never been in love before, either.

Or been a dad.

Not that I expected Ashley to still be in love with me. Hell, didn’t Stu and Crash say she was dating a doctor? That was good. A doctor could provide her and the baby with a lot better life than I could.

“Maybe I should just let it be. If I don’t get involved, then when she gets married, her husband can eventually adopt Millie.”

Ryan eyed me from where he stood at the window looking at the Pacific Ocean.

“Tell you what. Just meet your daughter. For ten minutes. If you still think not being involved is best, then I will be on the phone with Travis begging him to find you a different placement, and I’ll never mention Ashley or Millie again.”

Piece of cake.

“Okay. I can do that. But based on how Ashley reacted to seeing me, I’m not sure she’ll even allow me ten minutes.”

Chapter Forty-Five

Ashley

“I have to go downstairs and help the guys fix dinner,” I said to Tammy.

“Do you need me to do anything while you’re down there?”

“No. She shouldn’t be hungry for another hour. Are you sure you don’t mind staying?”

“I can stay as long as you need me to. I assumed you’d need me at least until the guys went to bed.”

“That’d be perfect. I appreciate you.”

“I’m here for you, babe.”

“And I love you for that.” I took a big inhale and let it out slowly. “Okay, I’m going to go be the most professional PTA there ever was!”

Tammy snorted. “Good luck with that. And tell Ryan I said hi if he’s still here.”

“He’s still here. None of the cameras went off.”

I hesitated at the door leading to the stairs to the main house.

My BFF winked at me. “You got this. You’re a fucking badass mama, now.”

“I am a badass mama,” I reminded myself and opened the door. But as I descended the stairs, another thought crept into my brain. I’m a mama because of the man who’d just moved in.

The one who didn’t want anything to do with me or my daughter.

So, fuck him. He wasn’t anything but a patient now, and I had a job to do.

I was glad to see someone had picked up the grocery bags and items from the floor and put the contents on the counter.

“Hey,” I called to Crash and Stu who were sitting on the couch playing a video game. “Who’s helping me with dinner tonight?”

“Are you still going to make a cheesecake?” Stu asked, his eyes remaining on his game.

“Yeah, I can, if one of you works on dinner.”

“What if I help with dinner?” a voice called from the doorway of Scotty’s old room.

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