Page 71 of Solid Ground

His brows twitch. “Can you do that?”

I hold up my palms. “I know I don’t have the best track record, but the past few months have been amazing, and I’d already decided to make changes in my life before she fell pregnant. I’m retired from movies, and I just want to settle down with Zoe and our child.”

He swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

“I also know I don’t need your blessing, but I’d like it.”

“I’m not sure I can give it—not yet anyway. I hope you can respect that.”

Shit. That’s a blow, but not an unexpected one. “Then I hope I can prove I’m worthy of it.”

Brian shakes his head. “Look, Declan. I don’t know if I’d approve ofanyman that Zoe ended up with. She’s thatspecial to me. But I’m prepared to try if you will. I’ll let you know when you have my blessing.”

“That’s all I can ask for.”

After we’ve finished talking, I head inside and to Zoe’s room where she’s been napping. She sits on the end of the bed and looks up as I walk in.

“Everything okay?” Her brow is furrowed in concern, and I love her for it. It’s clear it means a lot to her that I get on with her parents, and while there are a ton of reasons for them not to want me anywhere near her, they’ve been nothing but fair to me. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like part of any family.

“Everything is great.” I sit beside her and slide my arm around her waist. “Are you okay? Have you enjoyed your stay here?”

“It’s always good to be back home.” She sighs. “But then this isn’t home anymore. If you know what I mean.”

I chuckle. “I think so. But to me, anywhere you are is home.”

Her lips twitch. “That’s so cheesy, but I get it. I feel the same way about you.”

“Do you … want to go back home to the States?”

She beams her brilliant smile at me. “I would love to go home with you, Mr O’Leary.”

I run my hand across her belly. “I’m glad you’re feeling better. Now all that’s left to do is to wait for this one to arrive.”

“I can’t wait.”

I pull her toward me and kiss her temple. “Neither can I, sweetheart. Neither can I.”

TWENTY-TWO

ZOE

I’m notsure what’s going on.

We’ve been back a few days, and Declan has been on his phone for what feels like hours at a time. And he’s not talking to me.

I know he’s spoken to Josh—I’ve heard his name come up once or twice as he’s walked into the kitchen to make more coffee.

It’s bugging me that he’s being so secretive about it.

“We need to talk.”

My stomach sinks when he walks toward me, a cautious smile on his face and his hands clasped together.

Is this it? Has he decided that his career is the most important thing after all? What will happen to me? Us?

“What’s going on?”

He reaches for me, taking my hand in his. “Josh Carter’s offered me a movie role. A big one.”

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