Page 60 of The Art of Deception

Tomi exhales. “Yeah, I agree. Wecando this. All of us, together.”

My cheeks hurt from the grin on my face. “Together.”

I lean in, pressing my lips to hers, at the same time pulling her over me as I fall back on the sofa. She giggles as she collapses on top of me, smothering me in her as we kiss like long-lost lovers finally reuniting.

I knew she would find her way back to me because she alwayswasmy girl.

No matter how hard she fought it, I never lost sight of that fact.

Chapter Seventeen

TOMI

Xander’s making us something to eat. He said he needs our baby to be well-fed, even though I ate before I came. I can already tell he’s going to be a doting father, and I can’t say his reaction hasn’t warmed my heart. I know trust is going to be a big thing between us—he’s going to have to earn it—but so far, he’s going out of his way to prove to me that he knows he did the wrong thing and he was trying so hard to tell me the whole time we were dating. He wanted to, so bad, it was just finding the right time and the right way.

But I guess there never is a right way to tell the woman you’re seeing that you’re the man she despises. So, I do understand his side. I don’t like it, but I get it. I don’t condone it, but I see where he was coming from. I just hope that when we tell Levi this news when he gets home from school, he’s not too overwhelmed. I want him to be happy Xander will be back in our lives and that he’ll be okay with him moving in.

As for a baby, I have no idea how he’ll take that news.

Screaming children are not generally high on his approved list of things he can tolerate. So this will be an interesting stage in our lives. I know Xander is working on a quiet room for Levi. He’s going to plan it out for him. That will help a lot.

Xander walks in carrying a tray full of fruit and sandwiches. I smile as he brings it over to the coffee table, placing the tray in front of me. “I told you to lay back and put your feet up.”

I bubble up with laughter. “I’m pregnant, not injured, Xander.”

He sinks into the sofa beside me, running his hand up my thigh. “I know, I simply want you to be as comfortable aspossible.”

I smirk. “You’re not going to bethat guywho’s constantly making me take baths, helping me walk everywhere, and watching what I eat during this pregnancy, are you?”

He stiffens a little like he’s been caught. “Do you want me to be?”

I laugh. “No, Xander, I’m a strong, independent woman. I can walk. I know what I can eat. I got this.”

He nods, a little put-out. “I do wanna help you, though, Tomi. This is my baby, too, and I want you both to be comfortable.”

I sink a little at his words, my hand coming up to caress his face.

God, I’ve missed doing that.

“And you’re amazing for wanting to do this for us… if I need anything, I’ll ask. How’s that?”

He nods. “As long as I can spoil you every now and then… you, Levi, and the baby.”

I lean in, pressing my lips to his tenderly. “I forgot how kind you are. I was so wrapped up in how evil Alex was that it slipped my mind how amazing Xander is.”

He weakly smiles, taking my hands in his and gazing deep into my eyes. “I can never begin to apologize enough to you, Tomi. Sorry, it doesn’t cut it, I know that. All I can do is let you know that I’ll never, ever, lie about anything to you ever again. I know the trust between us is fractured, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make sure you’re in my life…” he gulps, his expression completely sincere, “… because…” he takes a deep breath, “… I love you.”

My heart leaps into my throat as my bottom lip trembles. The reason I’ve been so cut up about all of this is because the Xander I knew, the Xander I had fallen for, meant so much to me. Now I understand why I’ve been so cut up.

Because…

I hate Alex Scott.

But I love Just Xander.

“I love you, too. That’s why this hurt so damn much.”

He grimaces as he tightens his grip on my hands, his expression pain-filled. “Just know I’m going to spend the rest of forever making this up to you by being the best partner and father I can be.”

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