Page 56 of A Place Like You

I’m here to stay for as long as she lets me love her.

Gently, I brush a kiss on her lips. “Just so you know, no matter how hard you push, I’ll keep coming back.”

The corner of her mouth quirks up. “Even if I fire you?”

I laugh, the worry in my chest loosening. “I might open a new practice and become your competition.”

She gasps, eyes flying wide with exaggerated dismay. “You wouldn’t dare.”

Grinning, I take her hands in mine. “Of course not. But I do want to know how you envision our relationship. We’ll move at your pace—no pressure.”

“Slowly,” she murmurs, gaze falling. “I need to work on myself, and we have to be so careful with Milo.”

“Does he know that he’s . . .” I trail off uncertainly.

“Adopted?” Wren lifts her eyes to meet mine again and nods. “Yeah, I’ve always been open with him about it. He’s my special boy.”

Her lips curve into a soft smile. “My sister gave him to me as a gift before she left for heaven. That’s also why he’s always trying to expand his family.”

My head tips in puzzlement. “What do you mean by expanding his family?”

“He understands family isn’t just blood,” she explains. “He has aunts, uncles, and grandparents who adore him even though they aren’t related by blood.”

I tap my chin. “Is that why he asked River if he’ll be his uncle?”

“Probably.” Wren nods. “He just wants to bring more people into his family, the more the merrier.”

“He’s never asked me to be anything,” I say, unsure if I have to be worried or hurt. I love that kid.

At that, her gaze darts away again.

I gently tilt her chin back to me. “What is it? What aren’t you telling me?”

“A few days ago . . .” She hesitates. “He asked if you and I were going to bring him a little sister.”

I can’t help but burst into surprised laughter. The thought of becoming a part of their lives, of embracing a future with Wren and Milo, and potentially having more kids, fills me with anticipation.

It also gives me hope that one day, Milo will accept me as his father.

My therapist’s words come to mind, about learning to love without betraying the memories of the past. Embracing a new chapter in my life with Wren and Milo doesn’t mean forgetting my son, but rather finding a way to remember him without the burden of guilt that has haunted me for so long.

Loving Wren and Milo doesn’t replace the family I couldn’t embrace before, but it’s a way for me to heal and grow. It’s an opportunity to allow love back into my life, to open my heart to the possibility of a future where I can be happy maybe for the first time in my entire life.

Wren cracks a sheepish half-smile, her cheeks flushing pink. “He has such a great imagination.” Her expression grows serious. “But for this to work between us, you have to be committed to him too. He’s my whole world.”

Reaching out, I squeeze her hand reassuringly. “I don’t know what the future holds, but I promise I’ll not only love you, but I’ll do everything I can to be what you both need.”

I meet her earnest gaze. “Can I guarantee a little sister someday?” I chuckle and shake my head. “We’ll just have to see where this journey takes us.”

The tension in her shoulders seems to ease. “That sounds like a good compromise for now.”

I grin. “Why don’t we go inside the cabin? Cal is gone. We can have some coffee and finish this conversation, unless you have to go home.”

She takes my hand, and together, we walk toward the cabin. “Thank you for listening to me,” I murmur, my lips brushing the inside of her wrist, a gentle gesture that conveys the depth of my gratitude. With a soft exhale, I open the door, ushering us inside.

“Thank you for being so understanding,” she responds, her voice barely above a whisper as she steps into the cabin and scans the surroundings. Her presence fills the space, and a pang of desire stirs within me.

“Where is everyone?” she asks, and I sense a hint of relief in her words.

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