Page 127 of Mended Hearts

“And I love that about her. So get the fuck over it. There are few people I’d want with me in a dogfight, and Leighton Rhodes is one of them.”

That caught me off guard. My eyes must’ve gone wide, because he just grinned.

“She’s young, yeah. But she’s sharp. Protective. Loyal as hell. Bigger balls than most men I know. She’ll make you work for it, but she’s worth every step.”

“What do I do?”

“Own it,” he said simply. “Own the panic. Own the mess. That whole proposal thing? That was a grasp for control if I’ve ever seen one.”

“I don’t want to control Leighton.”

“Bullshit. You were trying to anchor yourself to something—anything—you could actually hold onto. I get it. Kid on the way before you had a chance to properly lock it down. Her heart history. Your unresolved trauma from Carly. That’s a lot of shit. But proposing was a tactical error.”

“I just wanted her to know I was serious.”

“Then say that. Without the ring next time.” His eyes narrowed, spotting the telltale box as I tugged it from my pocket. “Oh, fuck. Youhavethought this through.”

“She's it for me, man. I saw her slipping through my fingers, and I just…panicked.”

“Christ, Ollie.” He downed his drink—and then, evidently thinking better of handing me mine, swallowed that too. “Okay. Here's what you’re gonna do. Tomorrow, you bring her one of those ridiculous bakery treats she likes, andaskfor the chance to drive her to the airport. Apologize. Profusely. Then tell her you’ll go at her pace.”

“What if I can’t?”

He tilted his head. “Then you’ll lose her.”

I stiffened.

“Look, you don’t bullshit your way through a relationship with a woman like Leighton. She’s not some executive assistant waiting for you to take the lead. She’s going to need a life shechooses. One you build with her, not around her. You want compromise? You earn it.”

“How?”

“You shut the fuck up and let her lead. If she wants to stay in her apartment, let her. If she wants to keep her name on the baby’s birth certificate first, let her. You don’t get to negotiate before you prove you’re worth being in the room.”

“What if I already lost her?”

He shook his head. “Nah. Leigh might be quick to swing first and ask questions later, but the woman’s all heart. She doesn’t give up on people she loves.”

“And you think I fall in that category?”

“Don’t be dense. She’s been on call for you and your kids since the day you met. She practically lives at your house. You’ve seen her grocery list. She buys snacks based onMattie’scravings.”

I sucked in a breath, my throat tight.

“You’ve got a shot. But only if you slow the fuck down, apologize like youmean it, and stop trying to solve everything before she’s even asked you to.”

I nodded slowly, turning the ring box in my hand as I tried to picture what she’d say if I showed up with it tomorrow.

Grey snorted. “Not that. Save that move for next year. Maybe longer.”

Nodding, I palmed my jaw before pushing out of the armchair. “Okay. I’ll beg her for the chance to explain tomorrow.”

“Practice groveling,” Grey said dryly. “We’re not exactly hardwired for apologies.”

“No,” I agreed, my voice low. “We’re not.”

“Hey, Belle,” he called, his tone softening instantly. I turned to find Alice beaming in the doorway, radiating sunshine like always—and fuck, that smile. So much like her sister’s it made my chest ache.

“El had her baby! Also, my idiot big brother got a French bulldog and named him Gimli, and now I need one.”

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