Page 90 of The Edge Of Us

His brows knit together slightly, but he didn't let go. "Corinne... before you leave, there's something I need to say."

I blinked up at him. "Okay..."

He took a breath. "You're mine now. Not in a controlling way," he said quickly, smiling sheepishly. "I just mean, I want this. Whatever we are. I want you."

The words hit me in the chest-soft and slow and aching.

"You do?" I asked, my voice a whisper.

"I do. I know it's fast. I know things are complicated, and you're still healing. But I want to be there for you. For your kids. I want to try. So, Corinne, will you be my girlfriend?"

My heart stuttered in my chest. No man had asked me that in what felt like years. I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat and nodded.

"Yes," I said, voice trembling. "Yes, I will."

His face lit up, and he kissed me again-soft at first, then deeper, more intense. His hands cradled my face like I was precious. Like I was something he wanted to protect.

When we finally pulled apart, breathless, I rested my forehead against his.

"I still have to go," I said, my voice husky. "The kids will be up by now, and I need to meet Allen."

He nodded, trailing a thumb over my lower lip. "Alright. But after my meeting with Aceson, I'm taking you and the kids to lunch. All of you. I want them to know I'm here. That I'm staying."

I smiled, eyes glassy. "Okay. Lunch sounds... nice."

"Don't get too excited," he teased. "I'm picking the restaurant. It'll probably be some hole-in-the-wall you'll pretend to like just to impress me."

I laughed, swatting his chest. "Please. I've been through worse than your restaurant choices."

He kissed me again, lingering this time. "Go. Be the amazing mom you are. I'll text you later with the time and place."

I nodded, heart full. "Okay. And... thank you. For last night. For everything."

"You don't have to thank me for treating you the way you deserve."

I looked at him, something warm twisting inside me. He hadn't said the words. Neither had I. But they hovered in the air-soft, unspoken promises.

I kissed him once more, slow and deliberate. A goodbye, but not an end.

Then I slipped away, his shirt still hugging my frame, the scent of him and last night clinging to my skin.

Chapter 50

Corine

The moment I stepped into the hotel hallway, I could already hear the cries. Astrid's cries. My heart clenched, my pace quickened. I didn't bother knocking-I flung the door open and rushed inside.

"Brittany?" I called, my voice cracking slightly. "What's going on?"

There she was-sitting on the couch, holding Astrid tightly against her chest. The little girl was sobbing uncontrollably, tears streaming down her red face. Her tiny fists were clenched around Brittany's shirt.

Kyle stood nearby, looking pale and confused, his favorite book clutched in his arms.

"Baby?" I dropped to my knees beside them. "What happened?"

Astrid looked up and instantly reached out for me, practically leaping out of Brittany's arms and into mine. Her body was trembling.

"Mama," she cried. "You were gone. And Daddy left. I didn't know where you were."

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