Page 14 of Reluctantly Yours

“Point taken.”

“There’s your answer, anyway.My family woke up that morning thinking it was any other day.We were going to go on a hike, then build a campfire and roast hotdogs.Instead, we had to call in park rangers to help search for Josh’s body.And Josh only went out thinking he was going to catch some fish to bring back and surprise us all.Anything can happen at any time,” she concluded.“It can all end like that.”She snapped her fingers, the sound reverberating throughout the room.“What is the point of wasting a single day being miserable?Yeah, bad things happen, people are jerks, whatever.But is that worth sacrificing even a minute of my life over?Obsessing over who said what or who did this or that?Once you get in the habit of looking for the bright side, the bright sides are easier to find.”Sitting back, she shrugged.“At least, that’s been my experience.Your mileage may vary.”

There was nothing I could do at first but thank God I had never thrown her cheerfulness in her face out of anger.Why not kick a puppy while I was at it?“Thank you for trusting me with that,” I offered for lack of anything else to say once she fell silent.

“You asked for the truth.”She lifted her creamy shoulders far enough that the thin straps of her tank top shifted, sliding down ever so slightly.My fingers twitched with the impulse to reach out and touch her skin.

It was almost too much to ignore.

She fixed them, and I was glad she couldn’t see the hunger she had awoken in me.I would have to find a diversion in New York.The guys out there were all paired off, committed to their women, but they would remember the places they used to visit to find some quick, willing pussy.I was in desperate need.

Otherwise, I could end up fucking us both over by making the wrong move.

Remember Sofia.The image of my daughter’s face swam in my mind and firmed up my resolve.She was more important than any urge.She loved Penny, that much I knew.And for once, reflecting on that didn’t make me grind my molars.

All things considered, I couldn’t have chosen anyone better for her than the girl standing in front of me.Under all that sunshine resided a core of pure steel.I couldn’t imagine the mental strength it took to see the world for what it was and still make the conscious choice to see the bright side of things.“How about we set a new ground rule before flying across the country?”I suggested.

There was a hint of wariness in her gaze, but she nodded, waiting.

“I won’t give you shit about your positive attitude anymore if you promise to stop using your child-rearing tricks on me.That means no talking to me like I’m Sofia’s age.”

There was something playful in her eyes, in the way her lips twitched before she turned to rinse her glass in the sink.She kept me waiting, too, not saying a word until she was halfway out of the kitchen.“That depends,” she countered in a light voice.“Will you stop acting like someone Sofia’s age?”

I couldn’t be mad, not when her joke was paired with the sight of her delicious ass swaying under those thin shorts.My breath caught, and every scrap of my awareness focused on her curves as she walked away.

Getting laid in New York wouldn’t just be a fun diversion.At this rate, it looked more like an absolute necessity.Otherwise, I might end up making an even bigger mistake than I did when I got married five years ago.

6

PENNY

“And there will be so many things for us to see.We’ll go up to the top of the Empire State Building.You can see the whole city from up there.Maybe your dad will say it’s okay to see a show on Broadway.”There were a few shows she might be interested in that would hold her attention based on her favorite animated movies.“I heard there’s a huge toy store there too.And we could go to Central Park and ride the carousel.”

I was almost breathless by the time I finished telling the little girl whose eyes lit up at me about all of the options for our trip.We would leave on Travis’ private jet around dawn, meaning I had a little last-minute packing to finish once I got Sofia tucked in.

Of course, what kid would fall asleep easily the night before such a big, exciting trip?Her eyes shone with wonder.“Do you think Daddy will come with us when we go to all those places?”

I wanted to say yes.She was so hopeful, and she loved him so much.Yet she couldn’t understand how busy he would be.“Well, we have to ask him.He can’t be in meetings all the time.But…” I trailed off, feeling a little guilty.

“But he’s busy with work.”The little note of defeat in her voice was murder.I was almost overcome with the desire to tell her anything she wanted to hear, so long as she would be happy.It was starting to look like Travis wasn’t the only one wrapped around her little finger.I would’ve given the kid anything she asked for.

But I couldn’t speak for him, no matter how much I wanted to reassure her.“I have an idea,” I whispered, crooking my finger so she would lift her head from the pillow while I lowered my lips to her ear.“How about I talk to him tonight?I’ll find out what his schedule looks like.See if he has a little time free for fun.What do you think?”

“That’s a good idea!”She looked much happier and more hopeful when she settled back in with her beautiful curls spread out across the pillow.I leaned down to kiss her cheek, then gave her a hug.“Now, I need you to try to relax and fall asleep.”

“I’m too excited.”She groaned.“How am I supposed to sleep when I’m so excited about tomorrow?”

“I have a thought.”I turned off her bedside lamp, leaving only her night light glowing softly.“Why don’t you close your eyes and think to yourself about all the wonderful, fun things we’re going to do while we’re there?Picture it in your head.Going shopping, riding on the carousel.Really imagine it like it’s a movie.Do you think you can do that for me?”

“I guess so.I’ll try.”She closed her eyes and blew out a breath that made me bite my lip to keep from laughing.“But what should I imagine?”

“Imagine you’re in a big, beautiful park,” I suggested in a soft voice, stroking her hair.“And it’s such a pretty day.And there are kids everywhere with their moms and dads.You can smell popcorn and hotdogs and all kinds of delicious foods.And you’re riding on a carousel, holding onto the bar in front of you and going up and down, up and down…” She smiled a little, sighing.“There’s music playing,” I continued, whispering a little more softly.“And you feel the breeze in your hair and on your skin.”

“Are you there?”she whispered.

“Are you kidding?I’m right next to you.My horse is blue with a white mane.What about yours?”

“Pink,” she decided right away.“With a purple mane.”

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