3

Gabriel’s POV

She did that really adorable thing where her eyes tried so hard to avert from my gaze, only to snap back to mine with a blatant, arrogant stare.

“So?” she demanded, her chin thrown up.

I knew if I tried to tease her any further than I’ve already pushed it, I’d risk my life. I mean, I was literally standing dead-center in front of the shopping cart she was pushing.

Big mistake.

“Amanda is just a friend, Rach,” I said softly.

“Then why does she have a ring? Why is she staying at your place?” She pursed her lips before the words came spilling out in a defensive rush. “You know I’m not comfortable with the idea of a complete stranger living with our daughter, especially when you’re stuck at the office most of the time.” She paused, her mouth twisting before she added, “Not that I care who she is.”

My lips twitched.

A couple of women pushed past us in the baking aisle, practically tripping over their own feet as they stared at me, but I couldn't take my eyes off the five-foot-two fiery redhead in front of me. She had an angry hazel glare that burned like hell.

The absolute woman you are, Rachael Adams.

“I shouldn’t even be explaining myself to you in the first place-”

“I agree,” she cut in smoothly.

“But,” I glared at her, holding up a finger in case she tried to interrupt again, “for Leah’s sake, I’m going to answer all your questions. Starting with the most important one: I have zero knowledge of this ring you claim she’s wearing. Secondly, yes, she’s staying at my place, but only temporarily. She’s a corporate colleague, and her apartment flooded last week.”

“How convenient.”

“And I feel comfortable having her around because she’s someone I’m actually seeing. Leah hasn’t warmed up to her yet because they’ve only met for two weekends, but-”

“Leah was scared, Gabe,” Rachael’s voice cracked, cutting me deep. “I don’t know what that calculating bitch has said or done to her, but you know Leah doesn't act like this. This was the first time she’s ever refused to go to your house.”

My chest tightened with sudden, heavy guilt. Why hadn't Leah told me that? It bothered me that my own daughter felt a hundred times more comfortable sharing her fears with Rachael than with me. Maybe because I wasn't the fun, easy-to-talk-to parent. Maybe because I was always working.

“And now I have to go home and cook for the entire weekend,” Rachael muttered under her breath.

“You don’t have to,” I insisted. “Look, I promise you Leah and Amanda will get along like best friends before the next exchange. Amanda is- ” I took a quick step backward away from her cart, just to be safe. “-she’s a sweetheart, Rach. She’s social, she’s kind, and she’s great with kids. She’s a godmother to three of her friends' children, and I’ve seen how gentle she is with them. She even has a dog-”

I stopped myself, realizing I was rambling. Rachael hadn't interrupted me like she usually did. She just stood there, watching me with a quiet, unreadable expression.

“You love her,” Rachael said softly, her tone far gentler than before.

“Love is... a strong word,” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I think she’s great.”

A long beat of silence fell between us before Rachael suddenly shrugged, stepping back to push her cart around me. “Well, you can enjoy your weekend with your great girlfriend. But if Leah says she’s not going to your house, she’s not going.”

I turned and followed her down the aisle, amazed at how quickly she could put distance between us.

“Rach, you don’t understand,” I pressed, catching up to her. “This weekend was extremely important to me. I was going to take her to the amusement park after work today. I bought VIP tickets and everything- ”

“Gabe!” Rachael snapped, slamming her cart to a halt and whirling around to face me. “Stop talking to me like I’m Leah! She made this decision! There is a reason our six-year-old was terrified to go to your house, and all you care about is taking her to some dumb amusement park?!”

“Oh, like I’m going to stand here and let you judge my parenting when you’re no better!” I snapped back. “If I hadn't called you the other day, you’d have let her sleep in that damn school with the teacher!”

The moment the words left my mouth, I wanted to rip my own tongue out.

I regretted it instantly. I’d said some nasty things to Rachael during our marriage, but in moments like this, when she knew exactly how to rile me up, all the old resentment came rushing back to the surface.

Rachael flinched as if I’d physically slapped her. “I am not a monster,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I might be a bad mother sometimes, Gabe, but I am not a monster.”

“Amanda isn't a monster either,” I muttered defensively, though my chest was tight now.

Rachael threw her hands up in the air. “I don’t give a fuck!”

She turned on her heel to walk away. When I tried to step after her, she spun around so fast that the tip of her index finger dug hard right into the center of my chest.

“I might not have filed for a restraining order during the divorce, Gabriel, but I dare you to take one more step behind me and see what happens.”

She turned around and stormed toward the checkouts.

I stood frozen in the middle of the aisle, gritting my teeth as I watched her leave. My eyes subconsciously tracked the sway of her hips under her jeans before I let out a frustrated groan, rubbing my face in my hands.

Ten minutes later, I walked out of the sliding glass doors into the parking lot, numbly heading for my car.

My eyes widened when I spotted them near the trunk of a familiar SUV. Rachael was loading grocery bags into the back, and Leah was skipping down the pedestrian lane.

Wait, she let Leah wander around the store alone?!

My protective instincts flared. Oh, hell no.

“Daddy!”

I watched Rachael go completely rigid as Leah turned, spotted me, and immediately sprinted.

My entire face softened the second I saw my little girl running toward me, her long blonde hair flying behind her. The second she leaped into my arms, I scooped her up, a selfish part of me wishing she’d magically change her mind so I could take her home with me.

“My princess,” I murmured, kissing her cheek and ignoring the death glare Rachael was shooting at me from her car. “Honey, I didn’t realize you came to the store with your mom.”

I carried Leah over to Rachael’s car, knowing Rachael couldn't make a scene in the middle of the parking lot while loading groceries.

“Daddy, I passed my spelling test!” Leah chirped proudly. “Mommy got me a doll, and then I went on the coin swing!”

“She was having fun, Gabe,” Rachael said coolly. “Something I doubt you know anything about.”

I tossed Leah up into the air, making her let out a shrill, delighted scream before catching her and settling her onto my shoulders.

I quietly stepped forward, reaching past Rachael to grab the last heavy bag of fruit and set it into her boot. She didn't protest, stepping back to give me space.

“Why are you still here, Gabe?” she asked quietly.

“Mommy’s making lasagna and popcorn with chocolate drizzle!” Leah sang out from my shoulders, swinging her little legs. “We’re doing a movie night, right, Mommy?”

I brought Leah down from my shoulders, setting her gently on her feet. “What are you guys watching?”

“Barbie!” Leah sang out loudly, making me spin her like a princess. “Life in the dream houseeeee!”

I chuckled softly, glancing up to meet Rachael’s guarded hazel eyes. “Sounds like fun.”

Leah grabbed my hand, looking up at her mother with big, pleading blue eyes.

“Mommy... can Daddy stay for movie night? Pleaseeeee?”