Page 139 of Every Chance After

She blanches but recovers in a breath, offering a soft smile. “Yes, Grady. Understood and appreciated. You’re intense and don’t mince words. I like that. You care for her. I like that, too. I can’t fault you for having doubts about me. But I love her, too. I’m fiercely determined to win my daughter back, and you better not stand in the way. Isthatunderstood?”

Her brow cocks, and her lips curl, and I can’t help but warm to her. Not only did she match my intensity, but she also seems sincere. Hell, I’m even rooting for her.

I hold my wine glass up, and she grabs her diet soda, meeting me in the middle. “To Marina, then.”

“To Marnie.” She takes a healthy sip. “Let’s get another thing clear. Is it love or guilt driving your intentions with her?”

I scrub my slackened jaw over the surprise question, and that Marina must’ve opened up to her. “Love, obviously.”

“Is it obvious?” Her narrowed eyes focus on me. She flicks her fingernails like sweeping a bug out of the air before pointing at me. “I don’t want my daughter heartbrokenagainwhen you feel like you’ve paid your penance and decide you want kids the ol’ fashioned way after all.”

I scoff. “Mothering on her behalf already? You’ve got some nerve.”

“Told you. I’m in. For good. What about you, Grady Tripp?”

I lean forward with my sternest glare. “All that I have, all that I am, is hers. Now. Forever. I love her. Never question that again.”

Her eyes widen, and her hands go up submissively. “Gosh, I felt that in my bones. I guess time will prove it for both of us, then. Huh?”

Marina and Tilly arrive, arms full of plates, and the subject drops. Leonie has won my respect, somewhat, and bothered me at once. I adore Marina—that won’t go away. But I wonder if she has doubts like her Mom. I wonder if she trusts it yet, if she has faith in me. In us.

My mission isn’t just to show Leonie what family means, but to assure Marina that’s what this is.

“Your boyfriend was just telling me how crazy he is about you, Marnie,” Leonie coos. “He’s a sweetheart. Any other single Tripps I should know about?”

“Mom!” Marina and Tilly snap at once.

“What? We’re here. Might as well see what Seagrove has to offer, right?” she laughs.

Marina settles beside me, her hand squeezing my thigh under the table. “How about we explore other amenities first? Like housing? The library?”

“The school!” Tilly chimes in.

The chocolate cake melts in my mouth—definitely worth the drive. But even sweeter is Marina’s hand locking with mine under the table.

CHAPTERFORTY-FOUR

Marnie

Accommodatingthree people and three cats in my small place is a challenge—I don’t know how Mom and I did it. Of course, I didn’t have a room devoted to game-making or a living room full of cat towers back then. But, we make do.

Tilly is a curious bundle of adorable excitement. She raves about Grady’s place, the dogs, the cats, my truck, and even my place. She happily takes on chores like watering the plants, feeding the cats, and helping with dishes like she’s desperate for a normal home life.

I remember how that felt. I also remember how lonely a nomadic life was—I don’t want that for Mom or Tilly if I can help it. They stayed at their last place for three years—a new record for Mom. So, maybe there’s hope that they’ll find a permanent home here, especially with a support system.

Soon, when tapped out on self-assigned chores, Tilly crashes. I give her and Mom my bed—it makes more sense. And when the house is quiet and my guests completely taken care of, I let Mom know that I’m heading to Grady’s for “a game of chess.”

“Is that what you kids are calling it these days?” She laughs before kissing my cheek. “See you in the morning.”

The night air whips through my hair on the short drive to Grady’s, making me cold, but I like it. I want Grady to warm me. The last twelve hours have been an emotional flood, overrunning me with love and excitement, but also fears and misgivings—I am mentally spent. Through it all, I’ve latched on to how Iwantto feel, as Grady said, and trusted my feelings to lead me as they should go. And the overwhelming feeling now is how desperate I am to get back to him.

Every part of me aches for him.

I’ve got no complaints about my previous sex life. I’ve had very capable, enjoyable partners. But I didn’t realize what was missing, how muchmoresex could be with someone like Grady Tripp.

A strong connection magnifies everything. Touches feel electric. Kisses feel intoxicating. Everything is more intense, deeper, and breathtaking.

I knew sex. I didn’t know sex like this. And that’s not simply because I’ve moved from an emotional baby pool to the vast and tumultuous deep end. It’s because of him.

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