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“Same symptoms as Archer.” Ashton blinked a few times, seeming to better see my face. “You need to love him, Sky. And let him hold you too when I’m gone.”
I knew he was talking about Rhett, but I was not going to listen to that shit. It stirred back up too many fears and emotions inside my heart I’d managed to get a grasp on.
“You aren’t going anywhere!” I chided, swiping at the tears sliding down my cheeks. “I just found you. We have babies to make!”
“It was my desire for children that began Missing Link.”
I didn’t say anything, just let him slur his way through whatever he felt the need to tell me.
“I…I forced this whole situation on Rhett—it’s no wonder he shut down even though he wants you just as much as I do.”
A huffed snort—yeah right—ripped from my nose. Sure, Rhett had enjoyed my body quite a few times, but there was no way in hell his feelings for me ran anywhere close to Ashton’s.
“I was selfish, and things didn’t go according to my plan. But it’s okay because you’ll be here for him. And you’ll have him and won’t ever have to go back to Nora or the farm.”
I wrapped Ashton’s hand around my cheek and leaned into him.
His dimple popped, and I laughed through my tears. “I love you, Ashton.”
“Love you too, sunshine. My angel.”
Angling my body over the bed, I kissed his dry lips.
The sure feelings inside me for the sweetheart of a man wouldn’t ever fade.
Neither would the similar ones I’d experienced with Rhett. While he’d come undone in my arms, I realized falling in love with him would be easy as singing—even if I did it off-tune and at the most inappropriate time.
I wanted to soothe them both, love them emotionally and physically until we all grew old and gray. Even more, I hoped to bring sunshine to not just Ashton’s but Rhett’s life as well.
If he would let me.
39
Ashton
Words kept spilling from my mouth like I’d gone to confession, and I didn’t care. I felt like I’d had one glass of champagne too many. There was no pain, no worry.
Just my sweet angel and me.
“Rhett,” I stated his name abruptly, cutting off whatever I was blathering on about.
“He went to get some coffee.” Skylar leaned in close to the bed, holding my hand with both of hers.
“He always puts me first. I’ve been so selfish. Self-centered.” I rolled my head, my attention lifting to the white ceiling.
“You don’t have a selfish bone in your body, Ashton.”
I didn’t argue because my Sky wore rose-colored glasses.
But it was time to put him first.
“Go get coffee with him,” I said, still sounding three sheets to the wind even though I didn’t feel drunk.
“It didn’t seem like he wanted company.” Her voice seemed guarded.
“You can lead him through his emotions,” I told her, clarity slipping in a little better with every passing second. “You’re the perfect woman for that job. I knew it the second we met.”
“I don’t want to leave you.”