Page 25 of Nolan

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Nolan

"She'swhat?" I grip the phone tighter, my knuckles turning white as Colt's words register.

"I'm looking at them right now from the hardware store window," my best friend repeats. "Lisa's got Annabelle and Ashlynn cornered outside the dance studio, and it doesn't look friendly. Thought you'd want to know."

"Fuck." I grab my keys from my desk, already heading for the door. "I'm on my way."

I end the call and barrel past my crew, muttering something about a family emergency. The drive that should take fifteen minutes I make in eight, my mind racing faster than my truck.

Lisa showing up three days ago threw me completely off balance. Years of nothing, no calls, no visits, not even a birthday card for our daughter, and suddenly she's back, claiming she's changed, that she wants to be a family again. As if she can just erase walking out on a baby.

And then there's Annabelle. Beautiful, kind Annabelle who came into our lives when we most needed it, and slowly, without me even realizing it, became essential to both of us. The woman whose kiss and caresses I can't stop thinking about, even as I'm kicking myself for crossing that line.

I screech into the parking lot of Miss Laurie's Dance Academy just in time to see Lisa's silver Audi pulling away. Annabelle stands by her car, helping Ashlynn into her car seat. Even from here, I can see the tension in her shoulders, the careful way she's holding herself together.

I park haphazardly and jog over to them. Ashlynn sees me first, her face lighting up through the car window.

"Daddy."

Annabelle turns, surprise flickering across her face. "Nolan? What are you doing here?"

"Colt called me. Said Lisa was giving you trouble." I peer at her face, trying to read what happened. "Are you okay? Is Ashlynn okay?"

"We're fine," she says, but I can tell she's not. There's a tightness around her eyes, a forced quality to her smile. "Lisa was just... being Lisa."

"What did she say to you?" The protective surge I feel surprises me with its intensity.

Annabelle glances at Ashlynn. "We can talk about it later."

I nod, understanding. "Why don't I take you both home? We can pick up your car later."

"I promised Ashlynn ice cream," Annabelle says.

"Even better. Ice cream first, then home."

Twenty minutes later, we're sitting at a picnic table outside the Frozen Cow, Ashlynn happily occupied with a chocolate cone that's dripping faster than she can lick it. Annabelle nibbles at her vanilla scoop, her eyes downcast.

"She told me to look for a new job," she finally says quietly. "Said when she moves back to town, I won't be needed anymore."

Anger flares hot in my chest. "She has no right to say that to you."

"Doesn't she? She's Ashlynn's mother."

"Who walked out. Who hasn't fucking been here." I reach across the table without thinking, taking her hand. "You have been. Every day."

Her eyes meet mine, filled with an uncertainty that makes my chest ache. "Nolan, about the other night,"

"I'm sorry," I blurt out, the same words I've been repeating for days. "I shouldn't have,"

"Stop apologizing," she interrupts, surprising me. "Unless... unless you regret it. Is that it? Do you regret kissing me?"

The question hangs between us, weighted with everything unspoken. Ashlynn giggles nearby, oblivious to the moment unfolding.

"No," I admit finally, the truth breaking free. "I don't regret it. I regret that you passed out, and then I ran away like a coward."

A hint of a smile touches her lips. "You were kind of a coward."

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