Belong (Seven Year Itch #3)(38)

“Nope. She ran away from me before I could ask. That’s why Daddy was so happy to see her. She’s been my friend for a long time, and I missed her.”

“Will she be your girlfriend again?”

“I don’t know. Daddy still has to talk to Mommy about some things. I don’t want to hurt her feelings. You know she’s special to me.”

“Will Mommy be sad?” She seemed confused.

“I’m not sure. For now I’d like it if Rachel could be our friend. Do you think that’s okay?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” I stood up and peered down at my daughter. “How about you brush your teeth and meet me downstairs. I’ll make you pancakes and maybe some bacon.”

She hopped up and began jumping on the bed. For a five year old she was pretty smart, but I doubted she really understood what was going on. At least she wasn’t freaking out. That had to be better than the alternative.

I found Rachel in the kitchen. She was trying to make coffee. I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. “Good morning, beautiful.”

“I’ll be out of here as soon as you take me to my car.”

“I have bad news. It seems you have plans today. I need you to keep an open mind.”

“Don’t you want me to leave before Harper sees me?”

“Nope. I told you I’m done pretending. This is what I want, and I’m going to make damn sure we get it worked out.” I waited until she turned to look in my eyes. “You and I are taking Harper to the Museum today. She wants to see the dinosaurs, and I think it’s a great opportunity for the two of you to get to know one another.”

“Chad, you can’t be serious. Her mother will flip.”

“I don’t give a shit. Harper is my child. I’m not putting her in danger. I’m introducing her to new things in life. I’m teaching her to be honest.”

“She’s a child. She won’t understand.”

“I told her we were friends. She knows you used to be my girlfriend.”

“What?” She seemed to be in disbelief. “Why would you tell her that?”



“I don’t want her thinking I pulled you off the street and decided you were better than her mother. Harper is smart. She understands you’re special to me, and after what she might have saw last night I wanted her to know we’d been close before. She doesn’t have to know what we were doing. It was too dark for her to be able to decipher what acts were taking place. If it gets back to her mother I’m going to tell her we were hugging, not that it’s any of her business.”

“Chad,” she reluctantly replied. “I don’t know. It’s all so fast.”

“There is no going slow with us, Rach. Look what happened last night.”

Her sarcastic grin said it all. “You knew exactly what would happen when you brought me home. Don’t play coy.”

“Perhaps I had a good idea. It’s not like you complained. As far as I’m concerned, we picked up where we left off.”

“Except you have a wife and kid now.”

“You’re going to be a grandmother.”

“Chad,” she was getting annoyed in a playful way. My bantering wasn’t going to let down, and I think she was prepared for it. “You know what I mean. Be serious.”

“I love you and nothing is going to stop me from being with you this time around. How’s that for serious?”

I heard Harper coming down the stairs. Before she could round the corner and show up in the kitchen I kissed Rachel on the lips. “You’re going. We’ll stop by and pick you up something to wear on the way. I’m going to make it fancy and have a car take us.”

Then my little girl walked in. She looked at Rachel and then back to me. “I’m going to the museum with my daddy. Are you coming with us?”

Rachel crouched down to be on her level. “I’m not sure. I wouldn’t want to impose. I’ll only come if you want me to, Harper.”

She looked at me, like she wasn’t sure. As much as I wanted to interfere, I had to let my daughter make her own mind up. Maybe Rachel had been right. Maybe it was too soon.

“Can you help me pick out my clothes? My mommy isn’t here, and Daddy doesn’t do it right.”

Rachel didn’t hesitate. “Sure.”

Harper took her hand and led her back out of the room, leaving me to worry alone.

I wasn’t sure how the day would turn out, but I knew it was off to a good start. I had two beautiful females accompanying me for the day. Now I just had to figure out what Veronica was up to, before she ruined my chances of reconciling my relationship with Rachel.





Chapter 20


Happiness can change as quick as the second hand on a clock. In the blink of an eye everything we’re used to can cease to exist, or in my case, history was repeating itself, with a significant roadblock.

Chad and I were back together, but there was someone standing in our way of happiness. Once again a spouse fit intricately into the picture, as if we were on a repetitive loop. I was tired of the rollercoaster. I wanted to get off, but I knew it would be an impossible scenario. Giving up on Chad was like saying I didn’t need food or money. This time around I had to take into consideration what it felt like to have it ripped away from me in the past. With that knowledge I knew I’d have to fight. My heart had been dormant for far too long.