“He’s ahead of me in school.”
“You’re too young to date.”
“We’d be going with a group of friends, Dad.”
Oh—now I was Dad, not Daddy.
I preferred Daddy.
I decided to buy myself some time.
“I’ll talk to your mother.”
“I already did. She said I had to talk to you.”
Damn it.
“Have I met Josh?”
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, Daddy. Many times. You like him.”
So many kids hung around my house day in and day out; especially after we installed the in-ground pool and the kids began swimming. I wasn’t sure which one was Josh. “Which one is he?”
“Tall, dreamy eyes, and dark hair. His dog is Rufus. You look after him.”
I snorted. “Well, I don’t recall the dreamy eyes, but I do remember how tall he is. Rufus is a great dog. He treats him well.”
Her hand covered mine. “Please, Daddy. I–I like him. I want to go.”
The kid was friendly and polite—I remembered that much. His dad, Jeff, was a good guy, too. There was only him and Josh; his mom passed when he was little. Jeff had done a great job raising Josh.
“I’ll talk to your mom.”
“Okay.” She squeezed my hand. “You could even be a chaperone, if you want.”
Hmmm.
I shook my head as I laughed. “You’re good, my girl.”
“It was Mom’s idea.”
I knew I was going to lose if I objected. I could at least keep an eye on them if I was there. I drew in a calming breath, unexpectedly feeling old. “I think we can work something out. But there’ll be rules. My rules.”
She rolled her eyes. “There always are.” Then she smiled; that beautiful Maggie smile I could never resist. “Thanks, Daddy.”
I signaled for the check. “Okay. Let’s go play some golf.”
“Daddy?”
“What?”
“I’m glad you didn’t freak out or anything. But you’re still going down.”
I laughed.
There was my Maggie.
Age Seventeen