Page 6 of If You Love Me

Summer gasped. “Oh my gosh! I would love you forever.”

I smiled. “Well, you’re gonna be stuck with me forever very soon.”

I really couldn’t wait to be Mrs. Tyrion Lewis. I loved that man so much. The first time I saw him, I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Standing six feet three, 230 pounds, the man was a walking sex symbol. His smooth umber skin was blemish free. Those deep brown eyes and full lashes captivated me, and those thick, juicy lips and the panty wetting smile stole my heart.

He walked into the office to sign some papers at the same time as I went over to the time clock. I’d seen him a few times, but I could never figure out whose parent he was. Our eyes met briefly, and he smiled. I damn near tripped over my feet, staring so hard at him.

“Watch your step, girl,” said Tonya, the school nurse. “I know that man is fine, but don’t fall on your face trying to look at him.”

I smirked. “Maybe he’ll catch me.”

“Hmm, I wouldn’t mind letting him catch me. A man that fine was handcrafted by God himself. He took his time with that one.”

“Yes, He did.”

She left the office, and I walked behind the desk to my mailbox. As I sifted through my mail, I glanced back at him. I knew I should have been minding my business, but I just couldn’t help myself. I didn’t see a ring on his finger or an indent where a ring would have been.

“All right, Mr. Lewis,” Myra, the secretary, said. “I’ll get Summer Rose’s file updated.”

My ears perked up. “Wait, Summer Rose is your daughter?”

“Yeah,” he answered slowly.

“I’m sorry. I’m all in your business. Summer is such a beautiful, bright, and sweet little girl. You’re doing such a great job with her.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry, what’s your name? I don’t think we’ve met before.”

I extended my hand. “Iona Cambridge. I’m a counselor here.”

“Tyrion Lewis. Nice to meet you.”

That was the start of it all. I signed up for drop-off duty that day. For weeks, every morning he dropped Summer off, I waited outside to greet her and the other students. We had a few flirty exchanges. I could tell I made him slightly nervous, so I made the first move in asking for his number.

We were encouraged not to get involved with a student’s parent, but every woman with eyes at that school knew how fine that man was. It didn’t help that Summer Rose was absolutely the sweetest little girl. The love he had for her was so beautiful, and it showed all through her. Anybody would jump at a chance to be her stepmother.

Luckily for me, the attraction was mutual. Given the tragic demise of his wife, it took a little more work than I was used to in getting him to open up, but when he did, I got to know the most beautiful soul. I knew there was still a lot of pain dwelling within him over the loss of his wife, but it never hindered him from loving me.

I could admit that part of me felt a little insecure when I first walked into their home. I could feel her presence still there. Not like her spirit, but like it was still her home. Tyrion told me that his grandfather gifted them their home as a graduation present and that they did all the renovations themselves. Every piece of the place still had her special touch, and it felt like he was waiting for her to come home.

Many times, in the beginning of our relationship, I wondered if I was in over my head. What would become of trying to love a man who had technically promised his heart to another? Wouldhe decide he didn’t want me? Would I end up heartbroken? Those thoughts haunted me for months.

But I was still here. Tyrion loved me, and he made that clear by asking me to be his wife. This time next year, we’d be celebrating our nuptials, and I couldn’t be happier.

“Are you and my daddy gonna have other kids?” Summer Rose asked, interrupting my thoughts.

“Hopefully. Why? Do you want to be a big sister?”

She nodded. “I think it would be fun. They could be like my little dolls.”

I giggled. “Just don’t dress them in your doll clothes. I think you’d be a great big sister.”

She was quiet for a moment, and I could tell something was on her mind.

“What’s wrong, pud?”

“You think my mommy misses me?”

I reached out and grabbed her hand. “I think she misses you very much. But you do such a good job telling her about your days. I bet she feels like she’s right here with you. I know I didn’t know her, but I know she had to have loved you very much. You know why?”

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