Temporarily Yours (Shillings Agency 1)

Cue the messy tears. Except they were messy tears of happiness for her sister—a nice change to the river of sadness she’d cried last night over Cooper. But enough of that. Today was for her little sister. And Cooper could go back to the hell in which he was so determined to live.

Susan said her vows, then they exchanged rings and kissed. As Kayla held both bouquets, tears running down her face, she realized something. She did want this.

She wanted it with Cooper.

After posing for an obscene number of pictures, Kayla sank down into her chair at the reception hall and rubbed her sore jaw. Who would’ve thought smiling would cause so much pain? She relaxed against the back of the seat, taking a second to compose herself.

“Hey, sweetie,” her father said, his voice coming from somewhere behind her. “Can we talk?”

Kayla peeked over her shoulder. “Hey, Dad. What’s up?”

“I’m sorry Cooper left.” He sat down. He looked older tonight, for some reason. Maybe because he’d just watched his baby girl get married. “I know you liked him.”

“I know you didn’t,” she replied lightly. “But I’m fine. Today isn’t about me.”

“It might not be about you, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care.” He sighed. “I want to see you settled down and happy.”

He smoothed his tie and glanced over his shoulder. Susan was dancing with Max, and Kayla’s mother was dancing with Uncle Frankie. Everyone looked joyful and carefree. She hoped to God she had done a good enough job appearing to feel the same way.

She picked up her glass of water and took a sip. “I appreciate that, Dad. But I’ve always been fine alone. I like being alone. I’m happy alone.”

“Then why were you with Cooper?”

She could admit the truth. Say he’d been pretending to love her so that the focus would be on Susan instead of poor, single Kayla…but then Uncle Frankie would know Cooper had played them all. And that might affect him badly. Kayla wished things with Cooper could have been different—wished he’d been less afraid to take a chance on her—but she wasn’t going to end his career because he chose to leave her.

She bit down on the side of her tongue. Cooper had told her she should just be honest and open, and that her parents would accept that. Maybe it was worth a try. She sighed and lifted her hands in submission. “With Cooper, I was different. He’s the one guy I didn’t mind giving up my freedom for. But the rest of the time? I prefer to be single. I don’t want to settle down and get married. I don’t want to pop out three kids before I’m thirty-five. I just want to live, and let life take me where it will.”

Her father nodded. “I know.”

“You do?”

Laughing warmly at her, he said, “Of course. Do you honestly think your parents don’t know you at all?”

She felt her jaw drop. “Yes. I mean, no. I mean…”

“It’s why you’ve been single most of your life, and it’s why you moved to Maine.” He shrugged. “You’re independent. I think it’s one of the things I admire most about you.”

“Then why are you always trying to get me to settle down with a nice man?” She felt completely at a loss for words. “You’re always pressuring me to get married. Always asking if there’s a special guy in my life.”

“That’s because I was waiting for a guy like Cooper to sweep you off your feet.” Her dad took a drink of water, then met her eyes. “I’m not going to live forever. I’m just looking for someone to take care of you when I’m gone.”

“I can take care of myself, Dad.” She reached out and squeezed his hand. “And you’re not going anywhere. I forbid it.”

He smiled, but it looked sad. “I would love to obey, but some things are out of my control. No one lives forever.”

She swallowed past the lump in her throat. She didn’t even want to think about that day. “I’ll be fine, Dad.”

He kissed her temple, then pulled back. “What happened with Cooper?”

“He broke up with me.” She averted her gaze. “He’s…he’s leaving, and he didn’t feel right leaving me to worry. He’s scared that if something happens to him, I’ll fall apart.”

“He told me that last night. But I didn’t think he’d break it off with you.”

She sat up straighter. “Wait, he told you he was going to break up with me? Why would he tell you that?”

“Not in so many words, but he expressed his concern for you after he shipped out.” Her dad rubbed his jaw. “I told him you could handle it, because I was trying to be supportive. But honestly? I think you’re better off this way. I think he’s right.”

She stiffened. “I could have handled it.”