Page 24 of Undeniable

“No.”

She nods. “It is his choice if and when he does tell you. Just know that there are things in his past that make it hard for him to take that step with someone.”

“Well, I am not looking for anything permanent or complicated honestly.”

“Why is that?” Ashlynn asks, her lips pursed.

“I don’t have room for it in my life.”

“You don’t have room in your life for permanence?”

I nod but choose not to say anything more. She makes a little noise in the back of her throat but nods after a few moments.

“Well, if anything ever does happen, just give him some time. He is a really good man, and he deserves to be happy.”

I give her a smile before I shift uncomfortably and scoot over on the bench.

“Ew, I think I sat in some spilled soda or something,” I say as I lift up one soaked jean clad leg.

“Nope. I believe that would be me. My water just broke,” Ashlynn says calmly, with only a hint of alarm in her eyes.

I leap to my feet and stand in front of her. “Are you okay? What do you need? We need to get to the hospital, right?”

She nods. “Yes. If you could get the guys to grab the kids and the car that would be awesome.”

I nod frantically and rush over to where the men are standing off to the side watching the kids and us. They instantly look to me alert as I approach them.

“Is everything okay, miss?” one asks.

“Nope. Ashlynn’s water just broke. Can one of you get the car and the other get the kids. I am going to help her out to the front.”

Their eyes widen and they both spring into action. I turn back and hurry over to Ashlynn.

“Okay. They are taking care of things. Let’s get you out to the front.”

She nods and stands up while I loop my arm around her waist as she takes careful steps. She only makes it two steps before she squeezes my shoulder tightly and pinches her eyes shut. Her face is twisted with pain, and I don’t have to be a doctor to know that she is having a nasty contraction. Well, this day just got interesting.

Chapter Ten

Tasha

It takes us a little while, but we finally make it out to the already running car where the kids are buckled into their seats.

“Mama?” Seraphina asks nervously.

Alessandro reaches over and holds Seraphina’s hand. “It’s okay. It is okay, right Aunt Ashlynn?”

“Yes, sweetie. Little Antonio seems to be coming a little early, that’s all.”

The car takes off as soon as we are settled. I sit next to Ashlynn and rub her back soothingly while she takes measured breaths. She reaches into her purse and hands me her phone.

“Can you call Luca for me? They are out of town so I don’t know how long it will take them to get here.”

I nod as I go to her contacts and click on Luca. It only rings twice before a deep voice rumbles through the phone.

“Ciao angelo mio,” he says.

“Uh, hey there.”

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