Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 60978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
“Of course.” Ash nodded emphatically, his gaze steady. “I know I have a lot to prove, but I’ll be here. I’ll do anything. I’ll be with her at every doctor’s appointment. You won’t carry this alone anymore.”
We talked for another hour. Catching up. Having conversations we should have had before Ash got arrested.
Before he left, Ash reached over and grasped my hand. “I know you have feelings for Cash.” I sucked in a breath. I’d been expecting this conversation but had no idea what to say or even how Ash would react. “It’s OK,” he said, waving me off. “I actually approve. By all accounts, Cash is a great guy. And I will be forever grateful for the way he comforted Lily. She likes him too.” Ash flashed me a grin.
“She likes you too, Ash.” I sighed. “I don’t know what I want with Cash. I need to focus on Lily now, but I’m not going to lie and pretend I don’t have feelings for him. I just… don’t know exactly what they are yet.”
Ash held my gaze steadily. “Yeah, you do.” Then he left.
I stood in the silent apartment for several seconds, kind of at a loss on what to do. I cleaned up the coffee table and stacked all the reports and literature I’d been given in a pile to look at after I’d rested.
Tonight I needed to reset my mind and, more importantly, my mindset. I needed to focus on moving forward rather than looking back. I had a plan. The women of Kiss of Death had become the most solid support system anyone could ask for, so I had backup. The only real question hanging over me right now had been brought front and center by Ash.
So, how did I feel about Cash? Contrary to what I’d said earlier, I kind of felt like I needed to make the decision to either talk to Cash and find out if my attraction and deeper feelings went both ways, or cut him out of my life. If I did the latter, Lily would be robbed of a positive male influence she would need. If I talked to him and he didn’t feel the same way, I didn’t think I could handle seeing him, especially when he found a woman.
Fuck. Maybe I had more than just feelings for Cash.
Chapter Fourteen
Eliza
I stood in the doorway of Lily’s room, watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she slept. Mr. Flopsy was tucked securely under one arm and her new giraffe, Spots, nestled against her cheek. For the first time in weeks, her face looked completely peaceful, unmarked by the fear and confusion shadowing her since Ms. Winters had taken her away. The dim glow of her nightlight cast soft shadows across the room. I lingered there, needing the sight of my daughter, peaceful in her bed. Quietly, I pulled the door halfway closed and leaned my forehead against the wall.
My fingers trembled slightly as I dialed Pippa’s number. She answered on the second ring.
“Hey, Eliza. Everything OK?” Her voice held immediate concern.
“Yes,” I whispered, moving farther from Lily’s door. “I just need to go out for a bit. Could you come sit with Lily?”
A pause stretched between us. “Cash?” she asked simply.
Heat crept up my neck at the knowing tone in her voice. “Yeah,” I admitted, seeing no point in lying.
“Be there in five.”
True to her word, Pippa appeared at my door minutes later, wearing pajama pants and a Kiss of Death sweatshirt she’d probably stolen from Gunnar. Her hair was pulled into a messy bun, but her eyes were alert and kind.
“Go,” she said, gesturing toward the hallway with a gentle shooing motion. “Lily will be fine. She’s been sleeping straight through since she got back.”
I hesitated at the door. “Are you sure? I don’t know how long --”
“Eliza,” Pippa interrupted, placing her hands on my shoulders. “Take your time. You deserve this.” Her expression softened. “He’s a good man. I’ll stay with Lily and call you if she wakes up. Whether she asks for you or not. OK?”
I nodded, unable to form words around the lump in my throat. “I put some blankets and a couple of pillows on the couch.”
She hugged me to her for a brief moment. “You go on. I’ve got this.”
I stepped out into the hallway, leaning against the wall as my heart pounded against my ribs. I pulled out my phone again and messaged. Cash called me back immediately.
“Eliza? Everything all right?” His voice rumbled through the line, concern evident in every syllable.
“Everything’s fine,” I assured him quickly. “I promise. I just… Can I come see you? To talk?”
The brief pause sent my stomach plummeting until he spoke again. “Come on up. I’ll meet you in the hall outside the elevator.”
True to his word, Cash was waiting by the elevator when the doors slid open on his floor. He wore worn jeans and a faded black T-shirt stretching across his broad shoulders. His hair was slightly mussed, as if he’d been running his hands through it.