Connell (Carolina Reapers 3)

“He’s good for you,” Daddy continued, folding his hands behind his back in that reserved way he had.

“What makes you so sure?”

“Look at you,” he said, then pointed behind us to the building. “Look at that. He’s pushed you, supported you, and had you laughing along the way.”

I couldn’t argue with him on that.

“I want him to come over for dinner soon,” he said.

“Oh, Daddy, I don’t know…” I bit my lip.

“Are you not together?” he challenged.

“We are, but…”

“But what?”

I huffed. “I don’t know where it’s going, okay? I don’t know how serious it is.”

“It seems quite serious.”

“Just because he posted a picture doesn’t mean—”

“I’m talking about the way he looks at you, Annabelle, not a damn social media post. Which you know I have no patience for.”

I sighed, and Echo snorted again but remained silent.

“Darling,” he said, stopping our pace to grip my shoulders. “I only meant that I approve of him, and I’d like to get to know him better in a setting that doesn’t include the entire Clarke clan. When you’re ready. Deal?”

I nodded, hugging him again.

“Would it be so bad?” He whispered.

I tilted my head as he released me.

“To finally let go and let yourself be loved in the way you deserve?”

Echo cleared her throat, spinning on her heels in a desperate attempt not to acknowledge the truth bomb my father had just laid bare between us. But that was my father, no bull shit. He always had been able to see through me so much more than my mother, who had doted on Savannah.

“I’m trying,” I admitted. “I promise.”

“Good,” he said, smiling at me. “Now, I believe I’ll rally with the press and tell them how incredible my daughter is and how her work will put Sweet Water on the map again.”

I smiled at him, waving as he walked in the opposite direction, back toward the crowd still gathered around the building.

“Well,” Echo said as we resumed our pace. “Daddy Clarke still doesn’t pull any punches.”

I laughed. “Never has.”

“He’s right, though,” she said. “You know that. Don’t you?”

I eyed up the race, where I could barely make out the Reaper boys and my ostrich man in the midst of them. “Yes,” I said. “I know.”

“But?” Echo pushed.

“But normal schedules are about to take over,” I said. “The real test has yet to come.”

“Not everyone is like Atlanta,” she said, referring to my ex. She’d long since called him by his name. “And you know I do have some insight on loving a man with that same schedule.”

“I know,” I said. “But, it’s different.”

“How?”

I chewed on my lip, contemplating. “You couldn’t care less what the public thinks of you.”

She pursed her lips.

“In the best way,” I added. “And you look amazing next to Sawyer.”

She glared at me. “And you look amazing next to Connell.”

I nodded. “I know. I do. I feel it. But…the public. Will they accept it? I’m not exactly the type you see plastered over their media pages.”

“Who gives a flying fuck if they accept it or not?”

“Exactly,” I said, snapping my fingers. “Who indeed.”

“I’m not following.”

“What if it’s Connell? In the end, what if it’s him who can’t handle it? Can’t take the scrutiny of our relationship under a microscope. Of them analyzing my looks and comparing them to every other damn model-worthy bunny out there?”

“That’s completely unfair to him, for one,” she said. “And for two, you love who you are. You’re gorgeous. You’ve never let any of this bother you before.”

“I’ve never dealt with this level of exposure before, Echo. This is nationwide. Not contained within the small town of Sweet Water.”

She nodded, understanding flashing in her eyes. “Still,” she said. “You can’t let that hold you back. You two are incredible together.”

I couldn’t argue with her on that note, either.

I sucked in a sharp breath, smiling at her. “You’re right. And I don’t need to think about this now. Not today. Not when this is such a huge day.”

Echo smiled. “True,” she said. “You’ve earned every inch of this success, lady. Time to celebrate it.”

I grinned. “With punch instead of drinks,” I said, playfully wrapping my arm around her.

“You can drink,” she said, rubbing a hand over her tummy. “I’ll have just as much fun watching you loosen up.”

“Ha!” I shook my head. “I’m perfectly happy in solidarity with you.” I hooked our arms together as we walked. “I’m so happy you’re here,” I admitted, silently thanking the fates for bringing us back together after a slight blip in our friendship from when she’d entered into a world I couldn’t possibly follow.

“Me too,” she said, squeezing my hand, her eyes saying she knew exactly what I was thinking. She blinked away some moisture in her eyes, as did I, and then she straightened. “Now,” she said, her voice firm. “Let’s go catch up to those Reaper boys and give Connell hell for how wrapped around your finger he is, showing up in an ostrich costume and all.”