Page 40 of The Loves We Lost

“Please, let me go,” she begs. “This isn’t helping.”

Repositioning Vi, I look into her tear-stained eyes. “What you did was deceitful. Something I wouldn’t have ever thought youwere capable of. But what’s important is what happens next. And I’m gonna try to not make it worse by being an asshole about it.”

She doesn’t acknowledge my words, but I notice she starts to calm.

“You screwed up,” I continue. “But I hate that I’m causing more hurt instead of making it better. That’s an unhealthy cycle for all of us. And it’s not how you lead your family in tough times.” I cup her cheek and encourage her to look up at me. “I don’t want to hurt you. Never did. Would rather extract my own rib with a blunt knife. But I’m sorry that I have.”

Vi lets out a shuddery breath. “I know. And I’m sorry too. It’s the story of our lives, Miles. I’m not sure I’m brave enough to entwine us again, but I understand you want to have a relationship with Avery. We made someone pretty special.”

“Yeah. We did.” I kiss her gently. Not heated. More comfort for both of us. An acknowledgement of something between us. Her lips are soft, and it’s hard to not want to do more. Not when memory takes over from common sense.

Hell, it’s not even memory. It’s here and now and who she is in this moment.

“I always knew where I stood with you, and now ...” Her words drift off as she places her head against my shoulder, and I kiss her forehead. “I’m not sorry I protected Avery from all this, but I am sorry that meant keeping her from you. You should get to know her.”

I think about this for a moment. “I want her to know who I am. I want her to know I’m her father so I don’t have to hide what you both mean to me.”

“Okay. But not today. I think we’ve all had enough in the past twenty-four hours.”

“How about this?” I say, coming up with an idea. “Why don’t I go home on my bike to pick up my truck, and then I’ll take herout for the day? Take her to the zoo or the shore or something. We can hang out, and she can get to know me a little more.”

Vi climbs off my lap, and I miss the feel of her in my arms. I’ve done a lot of shit in this bed with a lot of different women, but holding Vi was probably the best.

“While you do that, I’ll get her cleaned up so she’s ready to go with you when you get back.”

“I meant all three of us, Vi. Avery, you, and me.”

Vi’s cheeks go pink. “Why would you want to do that?”

“Because you and Avery are a package deal, and having you around will make her feel safer, I’m sure. Let’s spend the day together.”

“Do you know who the men who came looking for us were?”

I shake my head. “Not yet. But Vex is working on it. If anyone can find those two men from images, it’s him.”

“Is it okay if I shower in here?” Vi asks.

“Can I watch?” The words come out before I fully think them through.

Vi’s cheeks turn pink. “Avery and I are a package deal, but you being her father doesn’t mean you become anything more than you currently are to me.”

A small voice echoes through my brain:I will.

“Sorry,” I say quickly, shaking the thought away. “Might be hard to get used to the idea that I can’t flirt with you.”

“Well, try.”

I put my hands up in surrender. “I’ll do my best.”

“I’ll go get Avery, and she can take a shower first. Save her from more coffee cake for breakfast. Do you have any fruit? A banana maybe.”

“There should be some by the window in the kitchen. If not, help yourself to whatever you can find. If it’s here, it’s for everyone. I’ll shower quickly, then sort out some towels for you while you’re finishing up breakfast.”

Viola leaves the room, and I stand with my hands on my hips, wondering just how my life changed in twenty-four hours.

I have a kid.

My own flesh and blood.