“You kiss Darby and hold her hand. She smiles at you, and I swear you look like I’ve never seen. Dad, you really like her.”
“I told you that already. She’s special to me.”
“Everyone likes her.”
“That’s true. She’s very likable. A more important question is, do you like her?”
She nods into my stomach. “I do. I like her, too. And I love that she cares for you the way she does.”
“You can’t imagine how happy it makes me to hear that. Darby being in my life is going to be great for everyone. She’s that kind of person, always has been.”
“Can I ask you something?”
Something in her tone sets me on alert. “Yes, you can ask me anything. I may not always be able to answer, but let’s hear it.”
“If she’s always been special to you, why hasn’t she been around before?”
Her question is like a loaded punch to my gut, taking the air with it. I make a snap judgment call that hopefully won’t come back to bite me in the ass. Moving my hand between us and tilting her chin to face me, I answer, “I messed up in a big way. Darby got sick and went away to Charlotte. It made me angry to the point I lost all reason. I let her go without knowing the details.”
“She was sick?”
“In a way, yes.”
“And you didn’t go after her?”
“I was young and stupid, letting my emotions, pride, and temper control my actions. I fully regret that decision.”
“But she’s okay now?”
“She perfect, except for her enlightened stubborn streak.”
This earns me a small smile. “Did you love her?”
I look into my daughter’s dark, rich blue eyes that are swimming with questions and curiosity. I wish there was a way to stall this conversation for seven years, or maybe forever. But honesty has always been my style. “Always. I’ve always loved Darby Graham.”
“You’ve never acted or spoken to Mom the way you do Darby,” she points out. “Did you ever love her?”
Time to shut this down. Once again, honesty is my best policy. “Connie gave me you and Cole, and I respect her for giving me the chance to be your dad.”
She reads through my statement, knowing the answer is no, I didn’t love their mom. This may haunt me, but I can’t think of any other way to explain. “Maya, you’re a young girl, and this is a complex situation between adults. Your mom and I have separate lives that involve you and Cole. One day, she may meet someone special, and when that day comes, I hope you’ll be open-minded and happy for her. Right now, be a kid, enjoy life as you know it, live in the moment, and quit worrying all the time. Let the adults handle the heavy stuff.”
“Okay.”
“Miller and I have to help Todd out with some projects. If you’re feeling conflicted about your mom, maybe we can come to a compromise for her to do a day visit, and I’ll stay out of your way.”
She chews on her bottom lip and slowly shakes her head. “I like the way things are going now.”
“All right, you want to jump back in the pool or help with dinner?”
“Darby’s already showering?” she asks.
“Yes.”
“I think I’ll go shower, too, so I can hang out with her and help with dinner.”
My heart hammers in my chest like I’ve run a marathon, and I hug her. “We’d like that.”
She skips back down the hall, and I stare after her, feelings of contentment swirling inside.
Soft hands slide around my waist, and the scent of Darby surrounds me. “You’re an excellent father,” she says softly.
“You heard?”
“I got to the corner about the time you said I was special to you.”
“You heard most of it then.”
“I adore you, Pierce Kendrick. You are a fine, fine man.”
Right now, I am invincible. At fucking last, my past and present lives have come together, proving there is a future. It’s impulsive, crazy, and most likely going to create a freak-out, but at this moment, I’m only thinking about one thing and I’m not waiting.
I twist, my eyes falling on hers, sending jolts of electricity blazing and beating to every nerve ending. She sucks in a breath, gripping my waist. I drift my fingers through her hair, gently holding her to face me. She trembles, her eyes glowing to copper as she reads my thoughts.
At twenty-three, I made my intentions clear but lost it all. At thirty-five, I’m not making that mistake again. It may not be perfect as I always envisioned, but I’ll make it up to her.
My lips glide across hers, and I finally say the words I’ve wanted to since I walked up to the gorgeous seventeen-year-old girl who stole my heart.
“Marry me.”
Chapter 25
Darby
“Mom!” I burst into the house, searching frantically around. “Mom!”
“In here,” she calls from the kitchen, sounding oddly serene.