Page 91 of The Edge Of Us

Guilt stabbed me right in the chest. I wrapped her tightly in my arms, whispering softly into her hair. "I'm so sorry, Astrid. I didn't mean to scare you. Mama's right here, okay? I'm here now."

"I thought you weren't coming back," she hiccupped.

"I will always come back for you. Always."

It took several more minutes of rocking and whispering before her cries turned into sniffles, then into soft breaths. Eventually, she let out a tired yawn and her eyelids fluttered. She'd worn herself out completely.

Brittany gently took her from my arms and tucked her into the bed.

Kyle stood at the doorway, watching.

"Hey, sweetheart," I said gently.

He looked up at me with wide, cautious eyes. "Are you mad at Daddy?"

I swallowed the knot in my throat. "No, honey. I'm not mad. Grown-ups just... sometimes they don't agree on everything. But that doesn't mean anyone's mad. Okay?"

He nodded slowly and walked into my arms when I opened them. I held him tightly.

"To make up for everything, Uncle Jasper and I have something fun planned. After his meeting, we're going to take you guys out for lunch. Somewhere special."

"Uncle Jasper?" he asked with a grin.

"Yep. He wants to spend time with all of us."

Kyle's smile returned, and a weight lifted from my chest.

As Astrid slept and Kyle quietly played on his tablet, I leaned against the kitchen counter, exhaling deeply.

And then Brittany appeared. Arms crossed. That look.

"What?" I asked.

She raised an eyebrow. "Don't you what me."

I blinked. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh, really?" she said, smug. "You come waltzing in here looking like that. Hair messy, cheeks flushed, wearing the same clothes as last night... girl, that's the walk of shame if I ever saw one."

My cheeks burned. "It's not a walk of shame."

Her grin widened. "Oh. So, you did finally do the deed with my brother."

I groaned and hid my face in my hands.

"Was it good?" she asked, teasing.

"Britt!" I hissed.

"Come on. Spill."

"It was..." I trailed off, looking down, feeling that warmth all over again. "Yeah. It was everything. He was... gentle. And kind. And he made me feel... safe."

Brittany's expression softened.

"Don't look at me like that," I muttered.

"I'm just happy. You deserve someone who looks at you like you hung the stars. And if my brother is finally pulling his head out of his ass, then I'm here for it."

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