"Do you think I might be throwing my life away if I do sothing in the Trades, rather than practicing law"—I shrugged—"I don’t know, maybe because you feel like being a chanic is ’less-than’ what you originally had in mind?"
"You’re better than that."
"Better than what?" I challenged.
"Better than this," he said, waving a hand up his body. "Better than so asshole who cos ho with grease in his hair and under his nails. Better than soone who deals with n who have no idea how to speak to a woman who deserves better."
"Wow," I breathed out. "That’s how you see yourself?"
"It’s not how I want to see you."
I frowned. "Are you seriously saying that if I choose to beco a chanic, you’ll see as so sort of lowly grease monkey?"
"Of course not, but I hate the thought of you being surrounded by them."
"Cash, I’m surrounded by them now. Our dads are officers in an MC."
"It’s not the sa."
"Actually, it’s worse," I pointed out. "No one here has a filter, including ."
"Baby, no one here’ll fuck with you because they know your dad’ll remove their spleen."
I smirked. "No one fucks with because they know I’ll remove their spleen."
"There is that," he conceded.
"Do you really see yourself as so has-been loser who should have gone to d school but ’settled’ for being a chanic?"
He stared at for a few seconds before shaking his head. "No. I love what I do."
"And if I choose to go that route, will you think less of ?"
"I could never, baby. You’re pretty close to perfect."
"Okay, let’s not go overboard."
He raised an eyebrow. "You’re out of my league and you know it. Everyone knows it. Hatch made it clear—"
"Jesus, what did Hatch say?" I demanded.
"He told to apologize and beg your forgiveness. Then he said you’re better than I deserve, and I knew it. And that’s when he said I needed to talk to your dad, which I do if this is sothing you want."
"Cash," I breathed out. "None of that’s true. Well, talking to my dad probably is, but I’m not better than you deserve. You’re kind of amazing when you don’t take the weight of the world on your shoulders. I an, co on, buddy, the Vietnam War wasn’t your fault, too, was it?"
He let out a quiet grunt.
"Maybe there really is sothing to girls falling for n just like their dads," I grumbled.
Cash leaned forward, running his hands up my thighs, his face tortured. "I love you, Teagan. More than I’ve ever loved anyone, and that scares to my core."
"I get that." I gripped his chin. "But you need to figure out if you love enough to get over that fear because even though I know for a fact I’m not better than you, I do know my worth and I won’t be subjected to the shit you’ve been pulling lately."
He settled his cheek on my lap. "I know your worth too, Turtle."
I stroked his hair. "God you’re an idiot."
"I know."
"But you’re my idiot."
"All the way."
"I’m really sorry about Chelsea, honey," I said.
He sat up and t my eyes. "Thanks, baby."
"Are you going to pull your head out of your ass?"
"Yeah, if you’re with , I’m gonna pull my head outta my ass."
"I love you, Cash. So much so that I’ve cried more than I’d like to admit this week. And you know how much I hate crying."
"Yeah, Dad ntioned it." He dropped his forehead to mine. "I’m sorry I’ve been an ass."
"Forgiven."
"I’ll talk to Mack after church this week."
"Okay."
He stood, pulling up with him, and wrapping his arms around . "Fuck, I love you."
"You better, because I’m a catch."
He chuckled. "Oh, I’m aware."
I pulled away and smiled up at him. "I’ll go out first."
"Okay, baby."
I pulled open the door, just in ti to see Hatch walking out of the bathroom. "Hey there, Mister President."
He turned with a big grin. "Hey, sweetheart."
"Can you co in here, please?" I asked, with a saccharin edge to my voice.
"Teagan," Cash warned.
Hatch raised an eyebrow as he headed my way, slipping past into the office and I closed the door with a thwap.
"Okay, so you’re pissed," he observed.
"What’s this about you telling Cash that he’s not worthy?" I demanded. "What fucking right do you have spouting bullshit like that—"
"Teagan!" Cash growled.
I raised my hand. "Give a minute, honey, I have a spleen to remove."
Hatch crossed his arms and grinned, while Cash dragged his hands through his hair with a groan.
I jabbed a finger toward Cash. "That man right there is the most loyal, aweso human on the planet, and he is my ride or die, so if you ever tell him I’m better than him again, I will slap you upside the head, do you get ?"
"Jesus, woman, you cannot talk to the prez like that," Cash said.
"Well, if he kept his stupid nose out of my business, I wouldn’t have to."
Hatch bust out laughing and took a bow. "My work here is done."
"Your work? What is that supposed to an?" I hissed.
"Well, for the first ti in weeks, Mr. Mopey here has had sothing resembling a smile on his face and you’re ready to lay claim to him in front of , god, and everyone. So, yeah, I’d say, I stuck my stupid nose exactly where it was needed."
"Has anyone ever told you you’re impossible?" I bit out.
"Been married to the sa woman for thirty years and given there’s three-hundred-sixty-five days in a year, I reckon I’ve heard it approximately eleven-thousand tis."
I settled my hands on my hips. "Okay, if you’re so smart, do you really think my dad’s going to be pissed about and Cash?"
"There’s only one way to find out and I’d recomnd you tell him sooner than later. The guys around here are worse than the celebrity housewives when it cos to gossip."
"I’m gonna do it after church on Wednesday when it’s quieter," Cash said.
Hatch nodded. "I can get behind that. I’ll have your back, too, kid. Your dad know?"
"Yeah."
"Well, you got two behind you."
"I’ll be there," I said.
"You won’t," Cash and Hatch said in stereo.
"Why not? No girls allowed is so stupid."
"You can use that ti to talk to your mom," Hatch suggested.
"And Daisy," Cash said.
"Oh, shit. Daisy," I breathed out. "Maybe we shouldn’t do this right now."
"I’m gonna give you a few," Hatch said. "You let know what you decide."
Hatch walked out and I faced Cash.
"If you want to wait, we’ll wait, but I really think we should tell your dad."
I bit my lip. "I don’t know. Can I take a beat and think about it?"
"Yeah, of course."
I slid my arms around his waist. "Thank you."
He leaned down and kissed . "Now, go grab whatever dessert’s left before Buzz eats it all. Save so."
"Okay."
He smacked my butt as I headed out of the office and back into the great room. He didn’t follow for several minutes, and I started to panic a little until I saw him amble his way toward , his expression neutral, like it always was.
I dropped my head and smiled, then controlled my own expression and started to load my plate with a few of Maisie’s desserts.
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