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She hadn’t known just how badly she needed that until his ar into tears on the spot She was here to see Ashley and the baby, not blubber all over her and her husband

"Thank you," Pippa whispered against Devon’s chest "How is Ash?"

"Go see for yourself," he said as he pulled away "She’s holding Katelynn now"

Pippa hurried past the private bathroom and approached the bed She stopped and stared at the beautiful sight of Ashley with her daughter cradled in her arms

Ashley smiled broadly "Hey, Pip Come on over and see her She’s so beautiful"

"You’re breast-feeding her?" Pippa whispered as she went to Ashley’s bedside and stared down at the tiny infant "Is it hard?"

Ashley sreat They helped a lot and then Katelynn did the rest She’s a real champ at it now"

Devon pushed a chair to the side of the bed and motioned for Pippa to sit

"So Dev said Caht," Ashley said in a low voice

Pippa sighed "Let’s not talk about him, Ash This is your ti to your friend coown back to cover her breast Then she looked toward Devon "Want to see if she’ll burp for you?"

Devon reached over Pippa to take the bundle and went to sit in the recliner by the

"Now," Ashley said, crossing her arms over her chest "Spill You look terrible, Pip You’re clearly unhappy"

The knot grew larger in Pippa’s throat and her eyes clouded with tears once again

"I’m miserable, but it’s my own fault I totally setthe score I’ to confront hi I have to do"

Ashley reached over to take her hand and squeeze "What are you going to say to hirated on her own ears "I’ to tell him I love him"

Ashley blew out her breath "You’re so much braver than I am You alere"

"Yeah, but you’re smarter, so we’re even," Pippa muttered

"Not true Okay, so after you tell hi He’ll do what he always does and I’ll walk away but this tiive him this last chance Or maybe it’s just me and I want one last chance Either way, I need it to be final I can’t continue this hot-and-cold thing we have going My eyes were opened last night I realized that he’s happy around other people Just not me And that hurt"

"Oh, Pip," Ashley said, her whole face a mask of sympathy "I wish…"

"I do, too," Pippa said "But wishes aren’t real Wishing is for fairy tales Ca happily ever after"

Ashley see Pippa wanted was to further upset her friend Not when she should be on top of the world So she forced cheer into her voice and a s to steal that baby froet out of here and let you rest"

She turned toward Devon, who slowly lifted his daughter away from his shoulder and placed her in Pippa’s ar every inch of her softness She touched the tuft of hair on top of Katelynn’s head, feeling the silky, delicate strands Someone had affixed a tiny little bow just in front of her soft spot Pink and girlie So ertips and watched in fascination as they curled around Pippa’s own finger and ht fist

She was instantly and completely won over, heart and soul She was absolutely in love with this little girl Who wouldn’t be? But then it had been the saram monitor for the first time Instant love Unconditional A bond that couldn’t be broken

It hadn’t been the sah

She briefly closed her eyes and then lowered her head so she could brush her lips across Katelynn’s forehead She inhaled the sweet baby scent and then brought the baby back over to where Ashley lay

"She’s absolutely perfect, Ash You did good"

Ashley beahter Then she looked back up at Pippa

"It’s going to be okay, Pippa"

Pippa nodded because there was nothing else to do She turned to offer Devon a wave "I’ll see you guys later"

"Call ," Devon said

Pippa nodded and then walked out of the roo the door softly behind her She checked her watch and stood there a long ainst the wall in the hallway

There was no way she would sleep tonight Not until she settled things with Caet this over with before it ate her alive

It would be a long trip on an already late night, and itCam out of his bed, but at the moment she didn’t care One way or another, it would be settled tonight

Nineteen

Convincing a cab driver to take her all the way to Greenwich had been next to i to cost her a fortune to boot The ride seemed interminable and traffic was heavy even at the late hour By the tiht not even be there for all she knew, but she suspected he was He’d retreated to Greenith increasing frequency lately

They waited at the gate while the driver spoke through the intercom It wasn’t Cam who answered She was pretty certain it was John Aopen and the cab pulled up the driveway He parked in front and she paid hi hireet her, worry on his face

"Is Cao," John replied as he ushered her inside