Liv
Well???? Any update???
Grady
Can you calm down with the question marks? They’re obnoxious
Liv
Don’t deflect
Did you get your girl????
I couldn’t help but grin like an idiot as I typed out my response.
Grady
I got her!
The following message was a picture of Charlie with her hands thrown up in the air in celebration.
“What’re you smiling at?” Cleo asked, coming up to stand beside me.
“Liv texted me to see how it was going,” I said, handing the device over so she could see for herself. She blushed as she read through the exchange before giving it back.
“She’s really okay with this, huh?”
“She’s probably a little too invested, if you ask me, but she’s supportive. That’s what matters.” I tucked the phone in my pocket, reaching for Cleo’s bag and throwing it over my shoulder. “Come on. Let’s say bye to your dad so he doesn’t bust down the door.”
Cleo opened the door, but paused for a moment at the threshold, looking around her childhood bedroom. I said nothing, only squeezed her hand in a silent show of support and waited until she was ready. With a sigh, she led me out and down the hall toward the living room. Doug was reclining in the leather armchair while Ruby was crocheting something on the couch beside him. They both looked up as we entered, eyes wandering to where their daughter and I were holding hands.
Pushing to his feet, Doug ambled over and stood in front of us. “This mean you’re moving out?” he asked, eyeing the bag over my shoulder.
“You can’t get rid of me that easily,” Cleo teased, stepping up to hug her father.
“Gettin’ you outta the house has been anything but easy,” he mumbled, glancing my direction.
She pulled back, brows furrowed as she asked, “What was that?”
“Nothing. I’m happy for you, sugar. That’s all,” he said, giving her a squeeze before stepping toward me with his hand outstretched. “You better not fuck this up, son.”
“Daddy!” Cleo exclaimed at the exact moment her mother said, “Douglas!” but the man didn’t flinch. He just stared at me, waiting for a response.
You’d think after thirty-six years, I wouldn’t feel the need to cower before my girlfriend’s dad, but here I was anyway. Not that I blamed him for whatever resentment he might have. I’d already broken his daughter’s heart once. If I were in his shoes, I’d be just as wary.
Instead of making excuses, I gripped his hand and gave it a firm shake. “I’ll protect her heart. You have my word, sir.”
The skin around Doug’s eyes crinkled as he cracked a smile. “Best see that you do. That’s my little girl you got there. She’s special.”
“Okay, I need you both to stop,” Cleo mumbled, wipingbeneath her eyes. “I’m going to stay at Grady’s house for a few days, not shipping off to war. There doesn’t need to be a teary-eyed farewell.”
“A few days, my ass,” Doug snorted. “Guess we’ll see about that.”
epilogue
. . .
Cleo
