“So you’re with both of the
se men.”
The bald statement threw me off. I started to move away from JC, but he held fast. And Emerson moved to flank my other side.
My silent sentinels, always ready to do battle for me. But it was time I stand up and fight for them too.
“Yes, I am.” I slipped my hand into Emerson’s and squeezed his fingers tightly. My other hand gripped JC’s waist. “I love them both, and they both love me. And…and…” This would be the stickiest point for my conservative father. Tied with the whole my-baby-girl-has-two-boyfriends thing, I was sure.
“And we love each other too,” Emerson finished. “JC and me.”
“That so?” My father crossed his arms over his barrel chest. He wore his uniform, and the badge hooked on his belt seemed particularly mocking.
Any moment now, I was going to lose my father, within twenty-four hours of gaining the best two men I could’ve ever wished for.
JC nodded. “Yes, sir. It’s so.”
“Lily?”
I took a deep breath. “Yes, we’re all in love, and we’re all together, and we’d like your blessing, but if you can’t give it, I’m not giving them up. Mom fought for everything. She fought to have me, and that afternoon, she fought for her life with those men.” I heard his intake of breath, saw the flare in his eyes so like mine, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. “She fought every day, and I didn’t. I haven’t. I’ve just let you and Em wrap me up tight. But now I’m going to take care of them. Both of them, just like they’re taking care of me.”
My father’s jaw locked. “Oh, I can just bet.”
Heat rushed into my face. Okay, not the best choice of words. “I want to take care of you too.” I eased away from them to inch closer to my father. “I want to help you move on. To date. Maybe you could find someone to—”
“No.” He shook his head. “I’m not going to discuss it. I’m not moving on from your mother. She’s the only woman I ever loved.”
“Then you understand where I’m coming from,” I pleaded, searching for some crack in his icy façade. “These are the only two men I’ve ever loved.” Ever would love, but I wouldn’t make that declaration now.
Only time would tell if my gut feeling was right.
My father shut his eyes. “I have to go to work, Lily.”
The resignation in his voice sliced through me, and I nodded, already stumbling back to the safety of the ones who loved me. Who approved of me, still. But he wasn’t done yet.
“We’ll talk later.” His eyes opened, laser-sharp, and focused on mine. “I promise. Okay?”
I nodded and grabbed hold of the strong hands already reaching for me on both sides. I couldn’t ask for any more than this. If my dad was willing to talk, there was still a chance. “Okay. Thank you.”
He turned to the door and pulled it open.
“But I’m not going on no damn dates. Don’t you get any ideas either, son,” he added, glancing at Emerson.
Then he shook his head and let the door slam closed behind him.
Emerson glanced down at me, lips twitching. “Hear that, Ms. Matchmaker?”
Somehow I managed to laugh. He’d called Emerson son. Everything was going to be all right. It had to be.
JC bumped my hip, which bumped me into Emerson. “Let’s go back to bed.”
I looked between the two of them and smiled. “Yes. Let’s.”
Epilogue
The crowd was spoiling for a brawl. Handy thing we were at yet another Friday night fight night.
Tonight’s ticket consisted of Giovanni Costas and Emerson Knapp. And the people were ready for a show.