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I turn around and find Asher right behind us, pulling the front door behind hiain He tips his head in Hope’s direction and asks me, “Do you mind?”

Do I hter before you say a word to h not to

“Sure,” I say nanimously

Asher s at hiet eye level with her, and I try not to notice hoell hisNo matter how mad or upset I am with him, I’ll always be ridiculously attracted to his ass

Asher gives a little cough to clear his throat, and then just lays it on the line to hter “Hope… I hurt your mommy pretty bad Honestly, I was a jerk to her, and there’s no excuse for it I’ive me another chance, but first I need to ask you if that’s okay with you Because without your approval, I know I’ll never stand a chance with her because you’re thein her life”

I have no clue if those words have any effect on ht in the center of my chest

I wait anxiously as I watch Hope, because if she says “no,” then it’s absolutely over No matter if I love this man or not, Hope has to accept him

Of course, I’ She had askedto Disneyland with Asher If she’d noticed I’d been in a funk over him, she never said She’s five years old and focused on Mickey Mouse

I apologized and told her it wasn’t going to happen

She asked, “Why?”

And I couldn’t exactly tell her All I could say is, “I don’t know, honey But I’ him anymore”

Hope glances up at ive Asher the tiement, just a soft smile that I hope conveys she should do what’s in her heart

She turns to Asher, her voice earnest and deliberate “I want my Mommy to be happy”

I’ that should be beyond her grasp She doesn’t answer hi hi hiain her approval

And then aoing to go eat now”

Asher is speechless He just watches her walk inside, an awed expression on his face When the door closes, he stands up