Page 27 of Saint

“Cause when you laugh, your cheeks get pink like peaches.”

Soraya giggled.

And after the past seven years, there was nothing I would ever do to stop anyone from making her giggle and smile.

Even though I didn’t know a single thing about this man.

My little girl’s happiness was totally worth it.

Saint

After I picked my jaw up off the floor, literally, I watched as Kettle stood, then turned and walked away.

Oh, words were about to be shared about the man who never talked.

But he just talked to one little girl.

I gestured for the two of them to head to the door, and at my side, we walked out of the clubhouse.

Once she got Soraya buckled in, I went with my gut and didn’t question what I was about to do.

I leaned in and said, “I’d like some more of those brownies. Can I still have them?”

She nodded and then giggled.

I winked at her and said, “Sleep tight, princess.”

She smiled, then yawned.

After I caught Ophelia’s eyes, who gifted me with that beautiful smile of hers, I closed the door, and then I said, “Let me take you out to dinner.”

She looked at Soraya, then back up at me, and sighed, “I can’t.”

I moved forward a few steps, placed my hand atop her car, and asked, “Why not?”

She sighed, then looked around us, and then back up into my eyes, and said, “I just got out of a seven-year-long relationship.”

I nodded, “I get that. You wanting to protect yourself. But I know that I’m not the only one who’s feeling this.”

She bit her bottom lip, and man, but I would love to tug at that lip with my teeth.

But now was not that time.

Not when I didn’t have the right.

And not in front of her little girl.

“I made a promise that I was going to put Soraya first after we left. I plan to keep that promise. And yes, I feel it, too. But how would that look? I get out of one relationship, not giving myself time to heal, and jump into another one?”

I was silent because I felt she wasn’t done talking.

She asked, “Does that make sense?

I nodded, then shared, “Something I’ve learned. As long as something makes sense to you, then it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.”

She sighed, “Okay, let me think about it. Okay?”

I nodded, “You got it. But do me a solid. Yeah?”