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"Restroom," I explained

We sat there a fewout to us to look at her sand castle, but other than that we all remained quiet

Finally, Jasmine and July returned and July plopped down in Nile's lap and told hi he'd uing story ever told She expected it, too She was secure in the fact that her dad wanted to listen to her He wanted to knohat she had to say

"Girls, let's go down and get our feet wet and leave Daddy to talk to Della for a fewher hand out for July to take

I glanced at Jas me an I told you so look before she stood up and followed her mother and sisters down to the water

"Why don't you and I go for a walk?" Nile suggested, standing up and holding out his hand for me to take so he could help entle and I waited for hi

"I want you to move back to Phoenix with us, Della We have an extra bedrooive you privacy and you would have a separate entrance into the house You could go to school out there and we could all get to know each other better The girls love you Jillian thinks you're great We all want you to coh I know you have a life here"

"Della!" Woods's voice broke into Nile's surprising offer and I stopped and turned around to see Woods running towardhere?

"Well, I'll be damned," Nile said beside me with an amused tone I didn't have time to focus on him and his offer Woods looked upset

"Woods?" I searched his face to see if there was so Was sofor a fewabout? I' you"

He looked over at Nile, then back at me with determination in his eyes "I love you You're my one My all-in Don't leaveto ask me to leave with hio? Had I made him feel that insecure about us? Of course I had I had run off and left hirabbed Woods's face and looked into his eyes I needed hi you Ever You'll have to sendback I will handcuffwill " I brushed my thumbs over his cheekbones; it was really unfair how they were so perfect

"He's going to ask you to go to Phoenix," he said, watching oing," I told him, and smiled up at his beautiful, troubled face

"So, you're not leaving me?" he asked

I shook my head and dropped my hands from his face and turned to look at Nile "The fact that you and Jillian and the girls would be willing to acceptI aet to know you and the Woods He's my family The people here are my family I don't need another one I have what I need here"

Nile didn't look hurt or ready to argue Instead, I could see a pleased expression light up his face "As ive us a chance to become a family, I'm thankful that you have so his head at Woods "I can trust him to take care of you and know you're okay I didn't take care of you when you needed it Now that I've found you, I want you to be happy and safe I believe this ainst him

"He can He does that and so much more," I replied