“But that doesn’t mean you have to fight for me.”
“Tiff.” I turn to face her fully. “You're the mother of my child. That meanseverythingto me. I'm not going to stand by and let anyone hurt you or scare you. Not your father, not mine, not anyone. I’m here now, and if anyone wants to fuck with you, they have to go through me first.”
Her eyes fill with fresh tears, and before I can second-guess myself, I reach out and take her hand. She doesn't pull away. Instead, she rests back into my chest and lets me comfort her.
Zach ends his call and comes back into the room. He looks at our position but doesn’t comment.
“Our lawyer is looking into what we can do to keep your dad away,” he says. “We'll get this handled, Tiff. He won't bother you again.”
“Thank you,” she whispers.
Zach nods once and heads toward the kitchen to open the fridge. “I’m heating up pizza,” he says. “It’s not great, but it’s food.”
Tiff shakes her head, already standing and taking the baby monitor. “I’m not hungry. I think I’m going to lie down.” She hesitates, then adds, quieter, “I’ll sleep in Ella’s room tonight.”
Thank fuck. There’s no way I want Ella on her own tonight either.
Zach doesn’t question it. “Okay. Jamie? You gotta eat.”
“Sure,” I say as he puts the slices in the microwave.
“You should stay tonight. It’s late, and after that shit—I'd feel better knowing there are two of us here if that asshole decides to come back.”
“I don’t want to impose.”
“You wouldn’t be,” Tiff adds.
“Then I’ll stay.”
She gives me a small smile before wrapping her arms around me. I hold my own away from her for a second, hating how much I like the feel of her.
She can’t be mine.
I slowly rest my hands on her back, stroking them up and down until I feel her relax.
“Thank you,” she says, muffled against my chest.
“Always.”
I kiss the top of her head as she backs away, and I so desperately want to pull her back in and kiss her fully, but I don’t. It’s not my fucking place.
“Good night,” she says quietly before turning to the steps and heading up to our daughter’s room. I watch her the entire way, wishing I could be the one to comfort her through the night.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
The microwave goes off, drawing my attention back to Zach. I head into the kitchen and have a seat at the island just as Zach pushes the pizza in front of me.
“Thanks,” I say.
Zach nods, then looks at me. It’s the first time since I arrived in Hope that I don’t see hatred or contempt in his eyes. More like a grudging respect. I’ll take it.
“No. Thank you, Jamie,” he says gruffly. “For having her back out there.”
“Always will,” I reply, meaning it with every fiber of my being.
We sit and eat our pizza in a somewhat comfortable silence. I never thought I’d get to this place with Zach, but dare I say, I’m almost enjoying his company.
“So,” he says when he’s finished his final slice. “The guest room.”