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Ally stiffens, but I don’t stop speaking “My ood person, but she’s so deep and so lost, that I can’t trust her anymore She would leave me alone with hih she knohat he is, and I’ve offered to get her out countless times, she stays with him

“My grandfather’s money is the last true tie I have to them And once I have that, my father doesn’t have any power over o as I please, have a relationship with ”

I roll over her suddenly, needing her to feel all of me when I say this “That’s why I’m so sorry for what happened at that picnic, Ally I sounded exactly like him And I never want to be like hirow up in fear”

It strikes me for the first time that I actually want children Desperately I’ve never actually allowed myself to think like that, but here with Ally, suddenly that feels real A life I never iined before is painted in front of my eyes All the excitement and opportunities that I had, and all the love and support that Ally had Along with a wos as a mother

“Caleb,” she whispers “I’m sorry”

“It’s in the past”

Her hands stroke down my shoulders “That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t still hurt And you’re not like him,” she tells me “You’re not Any child you have will be lucky to have you as a father”

“I wasn’t careful, that night With the nightmare,” I whisper “I’m sorry”

“I’ otten a couple of day this week But you’ve used condoms the rest of time I’m sure we’re fine”

The surprise burst of disappointnant throws nant? And I realize that yeah, I do When I iine that perfect life in the future, it isn’t some anonymous woman byon the back porch, overlooking the river, sipping drinks that I’ve made for the two of us, it’s heaven The loveseat is ht now, it see a very simple dress that looks so totally sexy on her it’s incredible Sitting here with her is as close to perfect as life can get

I put rab hers, too

“I was drinking that”

“It can’t wait until you finish it,” I tell her, pulling her into my lap