“I’ll be with my girls. That’s all that matters to me.”

I take a deep breath. “Well, gotta go and pick Melly up. But let me know. I’ll cook a lamb roast or something.”

“Now that sounds good.” The look he gives me is so intense, I’m not sure I can move anymore because I’m just a puddle on the floor.

“Okay.”

He walks with me to the front door. I step outside, and into the cool afternoon.

“Thanks for coming to see me. I promise I’ll take it easy. The last thing I want to do is push you away,” he says.

“I know you missed out on a lot of time with her. But maybe we can put some things to rights.” I shrug. “See you later.”

“You bet.”

It’s not until I’m halfway to get Amelia when what Josh said registers.

I’ll be with my girls.

Except, I’m not his girl.

There is such a big part of me that wants to be. It’s confusing. Only yesterday, I thought our prior relationship was built on a lie. And despite how hurt I was back then, I still found myself drawn to Josh.

Now I know the truth; there’s nothing standing in my way except my fear.

I knew for years that I could have got his attention through the media. Melly and I could have had a life of luxury with what I could have sold my story for.

But her life would have been turned upside down along with mine.

Whatever happens, she comes first—then and now.

Nineteen

Josh

We’re filming solidly through the week. But there’s a lot of waiting around in my trailer, and all I can think about is my upcoming visit with Delaney and Amelia. We’ll be together as a family, even just for the evening.

This was the last thing I expected when I came here, but I couldn’t be happier. If I could only persuade Delaney that I’m serious about both my girls, and that they are my girls, then I’ll be a very happy man.

Midway through the week, I can’t contain myself. I wanted to keep discovering Amelia to myself as the more people who know about things between us, the harder it will be to keep a lid on it. But I can trust Reece.

“Dude. I’ve been waiting for an update.” He doesn’t even say hello, and I laugh at the way he answers the phone. “Did you see her?”

I can’t help but grin. I’m not sure if we’ve put the past behind us completely, but we’re on the way. “I did.”

“And …?”

“It’s still there. The magic, I mean. She’s the woman I fell in love with, and I’m on the way there again.”

“Why did she leave?”