Always You (Adair Family 3)

I spent most of the dinner either helping Regan with the kids or turning in my seat to laugh at some joke Brodan threw my way. Not once did I look at Mac.

The volume decreased on the sound system, followed by the tinkle of silverware against glass. My heart leapt as Mac slowly stood to engage the guests. His gaze flickered to me before he looked down at Robyn. She stared up at him with unmasked adoration, and despite everything, despite how much he’d hurt me, happiness leaked through my bitterness. His whole adult life, he’d yearned for that look on her face.

And part of me hated I was happy for him.

I could hear Regan hushing Eilidh’s chatter, but I found I couldn’t look away from Mac.

He held a mic. “For those of you who don’t know, I’m Robyn’s father, Mac.”

A surprised murmur surged through the guests, and Mac huffed with amusement. “I take it some of you didn’t know.”

Everyone laughed, and I had to remind myself to force a smile.

“Aye, it comes as a surprise to people.” He looked down at Robyn, who grinned knowingly. “I think if Robyn hears one more person react with ‘Oh, you can’t be old enough to have a daughter this age,’ she might put a hit out on me so she doesn’t have to deal with it anymore.”

The guests laughed again while Robyn smirked. “It’s not flattering.” I heard her say as Lachlan wrapped an arm around her shoulders to pull her against him. Grinning, he murmured something in her ear that made her laugh before he pressed a kiss to her temple.

There was that pang, that ache in my chest again.

“I was very young when Robyn was born.” Mac’s tone was sober now as he looked down at her. “Too young. Just a child myself. And I made more mistakes than I can bear to think of.”

“Dad,” she mouthed, before reaching out to squeeze his arm.

Mac gave her a small smile. “But in my absence, Robyn’s mother, Stacey”—he placed a hand on her shoulder, and she looked startled; he then gestured to Seth—“and her stepfather, Seth, raised an extraordinary woman who is a testament to their love and care.”

Mac’s words brought tears to Stacey’s eyes, and I watched her visibly soften, while Seth nodded in gratitude.

Trust Mac. Always fair. Always kind.

Well … perhaps not always.

He looked back at Robyn, his voice gruff with emotion. “You are extraordinary, Robyn. And I say that not as a biased father. It’s the truth. You are exceptional in so many ways, inspiring, courageous, kind, loyal, honorable. All the things I ever hoped to be, I now see in you. And that’s the greatest gift any parent could ask for. For their child to become so much more than them, to be better.”

Robyn’s mouth trembled, and I could see her squeezing Lachlan’s hand.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Regan wipe at tears.

Mine burned in my throat; I refused to let them fall.

“It’s my right as your father to believe no one is worthy of you,” Mac continued, “but if it had to be anyone, I’m glad it’s Lachlan.” His attention moved to my brother. “You have been the truest friend of my life, and I trust you with the person I love most in this world.”

Lachlan and Mac held each other’s gazes, something silent passing between them. Their emotion was palpable, and I struggled to hold back those damn tears.

Mac reached for his champagne flute. His eyes suddenly flickered to me and then back to Robyn and my brother. “If all of us could find a love as strong as yours, the world would be a better place. To Robyn and Lachlan!”

“To Robyn and Lachlan!” The entire wedding party raised their glasses.

I looked to the guests as many dabbed napkins to their eyes at Mac’s emotion-filled speech. He had that way about him. Made you love him. Drew you in.

My bitterness rose and I tried to shake it off, but as I turned back to my table, my eyes locked with Mac’s. He flinched at whatever he saw on my face, and I looked away, only to meet Regan’s gaze.

Hers narrowed as she glanced between me and Mac.

Shit.

I gave her a tight smile and leaned in to ask Lewis if he’d had enough to eat, just as Thane took the mic and stood. The murmur of voices hushed again.

“I’m Thane Adair, one of Lachlan’s brothers, and his best man. And I really wished I didn’t have to follow Mac’s speech,” he grumbled, always self-deprecating.