Page 26 of Nolan

"I'm terrified," I confess. "The last time I felt something for someone, she left me with a baby and a broken heart. And you... you're important to us, Annabelle. To Ashlynn. To me. I was afraid of messing that up."

"And now?"

I look at my daughter, chocolate smeared across her cheeks as she chatters to a nearby sparrow. Then back at Annabelle, this woman who came into our lives to care for my child and somehow found her way into my heart too.

"Now Lisa's back, threatening what we've built, and all I can think is that I don't want to lose you." The words come out raw, honest. "Whatever that means, whatever comes next, I just know I don't want you to go."

She squeezes my hand, and I see tears shimmer in her eyes. "I don't want to go either."

We're quiet for a moment, the weight of the confession settling between us. "What do we do about Lisa?" she finally asks.

"I'll handle Lisa," I say firmly. "She can't just waltz back into our lives and make demands. She has visitation rights, yes, but that's it. You're not going anywhere unless you want to."

"I don't," Annabelle whispers. "Want to go, I mean."

"Good." The relief I feel is palpable. I reach across the table and stroke the palm of her hand.

After finishing our ice cream, we head home, Ashlynn falling asleep in her car seat. The house is quiet as I carry my daughter to her room, Annabelle following behind to help get her changed into pajamas for her nap.

Once Ashlynn is settled, we find ourselves in the hallway, the air between us charged with possibility.

"Thank you for coming today," Annabelle says softly.

"I should be thanking you. For everything you do for us."

She takes a step closer. "Is that all this is? Gratitude?"

"No," I answer honestly. "It's a lot more than that."

This time, when I lean in, there's no hesitation. My lips find hers, and unlike our other kisses, there's nothing tentative about it. Her arms wind around my neck as I pull her closer, deepening the kiss, years of loneliness and months of longing pouring into this moment.

She makes a small sound against my mouth that drives me crazy, her body soft and warm against mine. I back her gently against the wall, my hands at her waist, hers in my hair.

"Nolan," she breathes when we break apart for air, and my name has never sounded better.

I'm about to kiss her again when we hear it, the creak of Ashlynn's bedroom door opening down the hall. We spring apart just as my daughter appears, rubbing her eyes, her favorite stuffed bunny dragging behind her.

"Daddy? Anna? I'm thirsty."

I clear my throat, trying to compose myself, aware of Annabelle doing the same beside me, her cheeks flushed.

"Coming, sweet pea," I say, my voice rougher than normal.

As I move to help Ashlynn, I catch Annabelle's eye. The look we share, equal parts promise and frustration, tells me one thing for certain: whatever this is between us, it's just beginning.

And this time, I'm not running away.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Annabelle

The morning light filters through the blinds as I prepare breakfast, my mind still caught in the memory of our slight make out session in the hallway. My lips tingle with the phantom pressure of Nolan's, and I have to force myself to focus on the pancake batter I'm stirring.

"Good morning, sweet girl," I call out as I hear Ashlynn's little feet padding down the hallway. Usually, she races in with a burst of energy that lights up the room, but today, she drags herself to the kitchen table, her stuffed bunny clutched tightly against her chest.

"Morning," she mumbles, her voice lacking its usual sunshine. I set down the bowl and cross over to her, crouching to eye level.

"What's the matter, honey? Didn't you sleep well?" I brush her curls away from her forehead, studying her face. Her cheeks aren't flushed, but her eyes seem duller than normal.

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