Page 29 of Mr. Almost

“The only woman I want in my house is right in front of me.”

“It’s not happening.”

“You won’t even think about it…”

She shakes her head. “No, it’s not up for debate.”

We fall silent for a moment.

“Well then, I guess we need to get an air mattress.”

Surprise flashes through her pretty eyes. “I guess so.”

I get it. Livvy has been merely surviving the last few years, and now that I’m back in the picture, she’s waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Only it won’t.

I’m here to stay.

I just have to prove it to her.

Chapter

Seven

OLIVIA

Routine.

The last four years, I’ve thrived on routine. I needed it to keep myself grounded. Without it, I feel like my life is spiraling out of control.

Mason has taken my once carefully planned life and put it into a tailspin.

While I might be struggling with someone else always around, offering a helping hand, I can’t help but admit that the last two weeks have been nice.

He still hasn’t left us and gone back to his place. Every spare moment he has, he spends it with Ari, and subsequently, me.

Ari loves it. Every time he walks into the room, she lights up like the Fourth of July.

He looks at her like she’s his entire world. When she talks, he listens.

I shouldn’t find it attractive, but I do.

No one tells you what it feels like when someone else loves your child as much as you do.

It’s indescribable.

Still, I can’t help but feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Don’t get me wrong, I trust him. I really do, but everything about this situation has been smooth. Too smooth.

“Incoming,” Tristen murmurs.

I look over my shoulder and go stiff as I see Mrs. Williamson walking through the door.

Fuck.

I drop low and waddle toward the little space off the front desk where we keep supplies. “I have to get something. I’ll be back.”

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