Chapter Sixty Five
Ryan’s POV
+25 BONUS
I stepped aside, watching Celeste crouch in front of her daughter with a sense of awe–she was in her element.
“Honey,” she said gently. “Are you upset because Uncle Ryan’s gift only has twelve colors, or because he fetched you from school today instead of Mommy?”
Tears sprung to Bonnie’s eyes, but she looked away stubbornly.
“Were you disappointed Mommy didn’t come?” She asked again, stroking the girl’s arm.
Bonnie grumbled. “No, that gift is ugly and cheap.”
“It certainly isn’t as sparkly as that diamond bear necklace Daddy got you, is it?” Celeste said, gesturing to the necklace her daughter had been fiddling with.
The girl clasped her hands in front of her and gave one firm nod.
“I wonder…” Celeste tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Daddy has given you so many pretty gifts, but does he ever spend time with you? Does he play with you or pick you up from school?”
Bonnie tensed, her voice becoming small. “Daddy’s busy.”
My heart ached for this lonely girl. Damien had showered her with expensive gifts to cover the fact that he had no time for his daughter.
Celeste nodded. “What about Uncle Ryan? Did he pick you up from school today, even though he has to work?” The tips of Bonnie’s ears turned red as she clutched the hem of her skirt.
“Did he ask you about your day on the car ride?” She continued gently. “And did he promise to teach you how to make a paper frog even after you hurt him?”
The girl lowered her head, twisting the fabric in her hands.
Celeste stroked her daughter’s hair. “It’s not fair to take out your anger on Uncle Ryan, okay, honey? If you’re upset with Mommy or Daddy, please tell us.”
Bonnie looked up, tears spilling from her eyes.
“Why didn’t you fetch me today?” She asked, voice cracking as she sobbed.
The soft curves of Celeste’s lips pressed into a thin line as she pulled her daughter into her arms. She rested the girl’s head against her shoulder and stroked her back soothingly.
“Mommy’s so sorry.” She whispered as Bonnie clung to her. “I had to work and asked Uncle Ryan for a favor. Next time I’ll tell you in the morning who will fetch you so you don’t get disappointed.”
Every word, each movement, captivated me.
Celeste was hardly older than me, yet she addressed Bonnie’s behavior while still acknowledging her fears with an elegant ease. I’d always found her alluring, but this new side made me fall ten times harder.
Bonnie sniffled in her mother’s embrace.
“Feeling better, honey?” Celeste asked, pulling back to wipe the tears from her daughter’s cheeks.
She nodded, eyes snapping to my face
21/2
Chapter Sixty Five
“Are Uncle Ryan and Mommy dating?” she asked in that blunt way kids often did.
+25 BONUS
1 kept my face neutral as I held my breath. I was eager to hear Celeste’s answer this time around. It was almost certain she felt the same connection that I did, but something was keeping her from being true to her feelings.
Maybe this was the push she needed.
“Why do you think we’re dating?” Celeste asked as she stood in that graceful way of hers.
Bonnie narrowed her eyes. “Because Uncle Ryan looks at you like princes look at princesses before they get married and live happily ever after.”
I choked on air as Celeste smirked and raised an eyebrow at me.
“Does Mommy look like a princess?” She asked.
My eyes refused to obey. They ran over the tantalizing shape of her body, the soft waves of her honey brown hair, the delicate curve of her neck that I ached to run my lips over.
Princess didn’t cut it–she was a goddess.
Celeste smiled as her daughter nodded innocently.
“Thank you, honey, but Ryan and I are just good friends like you and Molly.”
Her words hit me like a bucket of ice.
“Mommy wants to live happily ever after with her little princess.” She said, ruffling the girl’s hair.
Celeste’s phone rang from her design table. Bonnie let out a long sigh of relief as she watched her mother answer the call.
“Just me and Mommy–good.” She muttered under her breath. “If Mommy marries anyone, she’ll have another baby and forget all about me.”
I watched the little girl’s back slump and bit the inside of my lip.
Bonnie wasn’t a meanspirited kid. Damien and Vanessa had cultivated a lack of security in her after falling pregnant–she was afraid of being replaced.
“It’s time for a snack break!” Grace called from the studio’s kitchenette, carrying a tray laden with sliced fruit.
“Bonnie, please, can you bring your mommy to the dining room?” I asked warmly. “I’ll fetch Molly and we can all eat together.”
She nodded at her shoes before glancing at me through wet lashes.
“Thank you for the gift, Uncle Ryan.” She said shyly and bolted over to Celeste.
I smiled as she grabbed her mother’s hand and tugged her to the dining room. It would take time, but Bonnie would turn out just fine under Celeste’s wing.
“Mols, let’s join everyone for a snack.”
My niece put down her coloring book and hopped off the sofa. She bounded to the dining room, and I followed with a smile, but a flash of movement through a window made me stop dead in my tracks. I peered outside and my stomach dropped as a familiar black Rolls Royce cruised to a stop.
What on earth was my father doing outside Celeste’s studio?
