Page 552 of One More Kiss

Mick

After dinner,Maddie headed upstairs to get a bath and get ready for bed. I sank into the corner of the couch as Andrea disappeared to help her. Just a few minutes later she came back down the stairs, an unreadable expression on her face. “Maddie would like to see you before bed.”

I couldn't help the surprise I felt at that. “Are you sure?”

Andrea nodded, and I followed her up the stairs and into Maddie’s room. Snuggled into a twin-size bed with a frilly pink comforter, Maddie smiled at me. “Will you read me a story?”

My heart tightened in my chest as I stared down at her. “Of course. What's your favorite book?” She pulled a book of fairytales from her dresser, then opened it to a particular page and turned it around so I could see. “This one?”

“Yep! It's my favorite. Have you ever read it?”

My brow ratcheted toward my hairline as I read the title. “The Princess and the Pea?” To be entirely honest, I thought it sounded like a stupid name for a story, but I wasn't going to say as much to Maddie. “I've never heard of this one. Let's see what it's about.”

I settled on the bed next to her and began to read the story about the young woman claiming to be a princess showing up at a stranger's door in the middle of the night. Maddie's eyes were heavy with sleep by the time I finished the story, and Andrea flipped on a night light before turning off the lamp beside the bed.

She dropped a kiss on Maddie’s cheek. “Night. Love you, munchkin.”

“Love you.” Maddie let out a little yawn as I set the book on the nightstand and headed for the door.

“Love you, Mick.”

Her words stopped me dead in my tracks, and tears pricked my eyes. I felt frozen in place, and I didn't dare look at Andrea. Emotion clogged my throat, but I swallowed it down as I turned back to her. “Love you, squirt. Get some sleep.”

Without another word, I left the room and headed downstairs, desperately trying to get my emotions in check. Besides my mother, I’d never told another person in this world that I loved them. I wasn't entirely sure I even knew how to love someone. I'd been cut off from the world for so many years, I was terrified that I would let them down.

Andrea came downstairs a few moments later, her eyes looking suspiciously shiny. “Thanks for doing that.”

I wasn't sure if she was referring to me repeating Maddie’s sentiment or putting her to bed in general. I nodded regardless. “You're welcome.”

I could no longer deny that I was quickly falling for both of them, and I would do whatever it took to keep them in my life for good. There was still something between us, something we’d never discussed. “I know it’s not really my place, but… Can I ask you a question?”

Andrea seemed to know exactly what I was thinking, because she gave a little sigh. “Maddie’s dad?”

“Yeah.” She’d uttered barely a few words about the guy, and I couldn’t help but wonder about him. Was he still in the picture somewhere? I was faintly surprised to feel a small pang of jealousy at the thought of her being with another man. It was irrational and stupid, but I almost wished that Maddie was mine, that we could truly be a family. “Is he still around?”

Andrea shook her head. “He took off when I was pregnant.”

Anger flared in my gut, but I tamped it down for her sake. “He’s an idiot.”

“He is.” She shrugged. “We’re better off without him.”

“Has he ever met her?” How could any man walk away from a little girl as smart and sweet as Maddie?

Again, Andrea shook her head. “Nope. She started asking questions about him recently, and I gave her an old picture.”

I nodded a little, still feeling angry on her behalf. “I’d say I’m sorry he’s not around, but I’d be lying.”

Andrea’s pretty blue eyes met mine. “Maddie’s really enjoyed having you around these past couple of weeks. So have I,” she added quietly.

I cupped her face in my hand. “I meant what I said. I want you—both of you—for as long as you’ll have me.”

She cracked a small smile. “That might be awhile.”

I leaned in and brushed my lips across hers. “I sure hope so.”

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