Page 56 of The Sweetest Mistake

“That’s not true.”

“She sounded pretty adamant about it. Are you sure you didn’t give her that impression?”

Scraping his hand across his stubbled cheek, he said, “I might have, but I didn’t mean to.”

“You either said it or you didn’t, Connor. Which is it?”

“I said that she could stay for a few days if she needed to, but that I wanted her to find an apartment as soon as possible.”

“That’s not what she said.”

“Are you surprised?”

“No, but it proves what I’ve thought all along. She still wants you, Connor, and it’s not just to help out with Ava.”

Leaning forward, he placed one hand atop hers and said, “But I don’t want her. Does that count for anything?”

She studied him carefully before responding, “Have you told her that?”

She’d stumped him there. “I assumed she already knew. She knows you and I are dating, and I haven’t done anything to encourage her.”

“Except invite her to stay over and loan her your T-shirt,” she said sarcastically.

Her eyes had narrowed to slits, but he still thought she looked sexy. “That was a mistake, but I was just thinking of Ava. She seemed so small and helpless when we were at the clinic, and even though nothing was seriously wrong, I didn’t feel right being apart from her.”

Julia sighed. “I get that part. I really do. How is she feeling, by the way?”

“Much better. It was just an ear infection, but the antibiotic seems to be helping.”

“Good.”

“Julia?”

“Yeah?”

He rubbed his thumb back and forth over the soft skin on the back of her hand and gazed at her imploringly. “I’m sorry. I really am. I’m sorry that having Cam stay over hurt you, and I’m sorry for whatever she said to you. But you have to believe me when I tell you that I don’t have any desire to get back together with her. None. It’s you that I want and only you. I want this to work between us, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen. Please believe me.”

Julia swallowed hard, and her eyes misted over. “This whole situation is really hard, Connor. Harder than I thought it would be.”

“I understand.”

“How can you when I’m having a difficult time understanding it myself? Ava’s adorable, and I’d love to spend more time with her, but…”

“No buts, Julia. We can make it work. I promise.”

“But what about Cam? Is she going to accept me wanting to spend time with her daughter? What if she tries to take Ava away from you again?”

He smiled because there she was, thinking about everyone else but herself. “I won’t let that happen. I’ll talk to Cam and make her understand that it’s you I want. You and Ava.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

“Listen. Cam has her pride. She might have thought that she could lure me back in, but once she realizes that I’m not interested, she’ll back off. And I doubt she’ll take Ava away again, because she needs my help.”

“What about her sister in Colorado?”

“I don’t think she really wants to move there, Jules. Her life is here. Her job is here. I think she just went there for a while out of desperation.”

Seeing that he had a lot more convincing to do, he pushed back his chair and went around to her side of the table. Kneeling down next to her, he slanted her chair so she was facing him and placed his palms on her thighs.