Without touching her, without even a kiss goodbye, Ian stepped around her and quietly walked out of her life. Drawing in a shaky breath, she took a step toward the end table and saw a blue box. Her heart in her throat, Cassie reached for the box. Her hands shook because she knew exactly what would be beneath that velvety lid.
Lifting the lid with a slow creak, Cassie gasped. Three square-cut stones nestled perfectly in a pewter band had tears spilling down both cheeks. Cassie’s hand came to her mouth to hold back the sob that threatened to escape.
Ian had put all of their birthstones in the ring...a ring he’d planned on giving her when he told her he loved her.
Unable to help herself, she pulled the band from the box and slid it on. A perfect fit—just like the man who had walked out the door moments ago.
As she studied the ring on her finger, Cassie knew there was no way she would go down without a fight. No way at all. Emily would come first, as always, but who said she couldn’t have the man of her dreamsandher family?
If Derek wanted to fight dirty, well, bring it on, because Cassie had just gotten a whole new level of motivation to fuel her fire. And there was no way in hell Derek would take her child or the dreams Cassie had for a future with Ian.
The depth of Ian’s love was so far beyond what she’d dared to imagine. His strength as a man and father was exactly what sheneeded, wanted...deserved. She wouldn’t let his sacrifice go to waste.
Twenty-One
Ian wasn’t sure why he didn’t book a trip somewhere exotic to just get away. He’d come back to L.A. after breaking things off with Cassie. Max had more than understood his need to leave, but his friend had also had some choice words for him regarding the stupidity of his decision.
Ian wished there’d been another way. He’d had many sleepless nights looking for another way to protect Cassie and Emily, but it was because he loved them so much—because theywerehis family—he knew he needed to remove himself from their lives.
The pain after he’d left was unlike anything he’d ever known. Sharp, piercing pain had settled into the void in his heart that Cassie and Emily had left. But he also knew, in the long run, this was the best for the ladies he’d quickly grown to love.
Now, back in his beachfront home, he saw Cassie and that precious baby. How had two females he’d known only a short time infiltrated every single corner of his life? There wasn’t a spot in his house, his mind or his heart that they hadn’t left their imprint on.
He’d been home almost a month, and in the phone calls and texts between Max and Lily, he knew the filming was nearing the end. He hadn’t asked about Cassie.... He just couldn’t. The thought of her possibly playing house with Derek to keep the peace for Emily nearly crippled him.
Ian sank down onto the sand and pulled his knees up to his chest. The orange glow from the sunset made for a beautiful backdrop and not for the first time was he elated to have all of this for his backyard.
But he’d give it up in a heartbeat for a chance at happiness with Cassie. Letting her go was hands down the hardest thing he’d ever done in his entire life.
He hadn’t been lying when he’d said this decision was better for Emily in the long run. When he’d been younger he would’ve given anything for his parents to have stayed together. Perhaps his father would’ve been a little more relaxed and his mother not so much of a free spirit always seeking attention from men.
Ian couldn’t alter Emily’s future by coming between her parents. His broken heart was minor in comparison to their safety. All that mattered was that sweet Emily wasn’t a pawn, that he gave her the best chance to know her father. A chance he’d never had.
Damn it, he loved that little girl. He missed those little fingers wrapped around his thumb as he gave her a nighttime bottle. He missed that little two-toothed grin she’d offer for no apparent reason.
He missed everything...even the diaper changes.
“Beautiful place you have here.”
Ian jerked his head over his shoulder, his heart nearly stopping at the sight of Cassie in a little green sundress, her hair whipping about her shoulders and Emily on her hip.
“I was just in the neighborhood and was curious if you had room for two more,” she went on, not coming any closer.
In an instant, Ian was on his feet. “Room for two? Were you wanting to stay here?”
Cassie shrugged, her face tipped up to hold his gaze as he moved in closer. “Your house, your heart. Wherever you have room.”
Ian’s knees weakened. She’d come for him. When he’d thought they were finished, when he’d thought he’d done the right thing by setting her free, she’d come to him.
“I’ll always have room in my heart for you and Emily.” Ian reached out, slid a crimson curl behind her ear. “But my house? That depends on what’s going on with you and Derek.”
Cassie grabbed his hand before he could pull away from her. “Derek is being taken care of by my team of attorneys. I hired three to make sure he didn’t blackmail me, you or use Emily as a bargaining chip. He’s agreed to supervised visitation because Emily is young and would view him as a stranger. He’s not allowed to take her from the state for any reason and I have approval over any and all visits.”
Shocked, Ian merely stared. When Emily reached for him, his heart tumbled. Pulling her into his arms, he held her tight, breathing in her sweet scent.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered into her ear. Her little arms came around his neck and Ian had to physically fight back tears.
“We’ve missedyou,” Cassie told him. “But I had to make sure Derek was being handled before I could come to you.”