The Resurrection of Wildflowers (Wildflower #2)(52)

“Hi, Baby Daddy,” Lauren says again. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

Salem stifles her laughter. She’s a little too amused at her friend’s nickname for me.

I hold a hand out to Lauren. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

She shakes my hand, squeezing a little tighter than necessary. “Hurt my bestie again and I have diplomatic immunity in six countries.”

Salem snorts. “Don’t listen to her.”

Lauren releases my hand. “I mean it.” She points a warning finger at me. “The minute you make her cry again—you’re out.” She makes a slicing motion across her throat. “I’ve seen Dexter.”

“Lauren,” Salem admonishes with a giggle. To me she says, “She’s not serious.”

“Like hell I am,” Lauren grumbles.

Some guys might be turned off by Lauren’s forward defensiveness, but I’m glad Salem has someone like her. Lauren has every right to be wary of me. I did break Salem’s heart.

“You ladies have fun. I’m going to grab a water and carry Seda up to bed.” I smack a kiss on Salem’s cheek. “Don’t get into too much trouble. I’m not sure I have enough bail money.”

Lauren makes a yikes face and whisper hisses, “If he doesn’t have money for bail you better run now.”

“Lauren!” Salem playfully slaps her friend’s arm.

Leaving them to their antics, I scoop Seda up off the couch and into my arms. She wiggles a bit and I still, praying she stays asleep. Luckily, she keeps snoozing. Upstairs, I lay her down in the other guestroom, carefully pulling the covers back and up over her.

I can’t help but take a second to look at her.

It’s unreal how perfect she is. I still have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that this is my daughter. I have a little girl. My heart feels full for the first time in a long time.

Before Krista and I knew Forrest was a boy, I couldn’t imagine myself having a daughter. I knew I’d be happy either way, but I hoped for a boy. I knew I could handle that. Being a boy dad would be easy. I’d had a brother and always done traditional guy things.

When Salem told me she’d had our child, a girl, there was no disappointment in any way. Seda is a gift, one I didn’t know I even deserved. This little girl was created from the true love Salem and I have—a tether to always tie us together and bring us back.

Smoothing her hair off her forehead, I tell her I love her and slip out of the room I fully plan to redecorate from the generic furniture I put in there for the rare occasions I have visitors.





I don’t know how much time has passed when Salem gets into bed. She snuggles up to me, pressing her cold toes against my legs. I crack an eye open.

“That was mean,” I joke.

She wiggles her toes. “I need you to warm them up.” She puts her hand on my cheek. “I’m sorry about Lauren,” she whispers, then hiccups. “Too much wine, me thinks.” With another hiccup she adds, “She means well.”

“She loves you. I like that she’s protective of you.”

Salem smiles. “She really is a great friend. Can you believe she’s getting married? He’s a billionaire too. Yeah, with a B. Billionaire. Lauren would fall in love with a rich guy. She gets to live out all her billionaire romance lover dreams now.” She slaps her hand over her mouth, stifling a yawn. “I’m drunk and rambling.” She giggles.

Tracing my finger over her lips, I say, “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

Her eyes widen. “Oh no. Am I in trouble? I swear I’m not that drunk.”

“You’re not in trouble, baby. But it’s not something I want to talk about when you’re drunk and sleepy.”

“In the morning then?”

“In the morning,” I promise.

Wrapping my arms around her, she rests her head on my chest just when I think she’s asleep, her tears wet my skin.

“Sunshine,” I whisper, holding her closer.

“She’s gone, Thayer. She’s really gone,” she sobs. “I’m never going to see my mom again.”

I press my lips to the top of her head and say, “I’m here. If you want to cry, scream, whatever you need to do, I’ve got you.”

And so she just cries, because sometimes that’s the only thing you can do.





CHAPTER 34





SALEM





Waking up, I press a hand to my pounding temple. I drank way too much wine last night. I didn’t mean to, but I stayed up late chatting with Lauren, catching up, and frankly just trying to forget about the events of the day. Since I’m not a big drinker it’s caught up to me this morning.

Not to mention my eyes are practically swollen shut from crying myself to sleep.

My mom is really gone.

I can’t walk next-door and see her.

I can’t call her and hear her voice.

I’m never going to hear her laugh again or see her smile.

Rolling out of bed—Thayer’s bed—I stumble into the bathroom. There’s a separate space for the toilet so I relieve myself—my bladder damn near bursting—while he’s in the shower.