“Happy Birthday, Amelia!”
“This is literally better than what I showed you guys!”
His eyes lifted to Daisy’s, a thousand questions swimming in that one look.
“It’s a great theme,” he said. “And if you think the inside is cool, go check out the backyard.”
Amelia didn’t need to be told twice. She bolted toward the yard where the portable pirate ship stood. From a distance, they could hear her squeal—“Oh my gosh! This is the best party ever!”
Not a bad take for a party that is just starting, Daisy thought.
Jameson’s eyes caught Daisy’s again from across the room. He smirked casually but knowingly, like he remembered exactly what she looked like without her clothes on. Daisy’s grin back was tight, her blush creeping up her neck. It didn’t help that he looked devastatingly handsome in his costume.
He looked the part. A white linen shirt open at the collar, black trousers, boots, and a brown sash around his waist. Even the faint smudge of eyeliner only made him more unfairly magnetic. Captain Jack—but hotter.
When he walked toward her, greeting her mother with a kiss on the cheek and her father with a handshake, Daisy’s pulse quickened. When he leaned in for a hug, she shifted sideways instead.
The movement was instinct, not thought. If he touched her, she wasn’t sure she’d remember her own name.
“Where should we put the cake?” she asked quickly.
Jameson rolled his neck and squinted, as if to say,Ah, I see what we’re doing here.
But today wasn’t about them, she told herself again. Today, she was Amelia’s mom first. Tonight, she’d let herself think about what came next.
“The fridge in the mudroom has space,” he said.
“Great. Dad, do you mind helping me?” she asked before Jameson could offer.
“Of course, sweetie.”
She led her dad to the far side of the house where the secondary fridge was housed. After carefully placing the cake, she closed the fridge and turned to leave, but not before her father lightly pulled her shoulder, halting her in place.
“Daisy, wait.”
She turned.
“This party… everything you’ve done, the mother you’ve become…” he stuttered, eyes soft. “I just wanted to say that I’m proud of you.”
Daisy swallowed hard, emotion burning at the back of her throat. “Thanks, Dad. That means a lot.”
“I know I don’t say it often… or ever, but life’s thrown you more than one curveball, and you’ve handled it all with grace. You’ve always kept Amelia’s best interests first. I know this can’t be easy, sharing her with him, but even that you’ve handled well. I’m just really proud to be your dad.”
“Well, I’m proud to be your daughter. And thanks for having my back. I know it hasn’t been easy, and that it takes a lot to forgive Jameson and let him back in, but I know it’s the right thing to do. For Amelia. I appreciate you and Mom for giving him a chance.”
“It sure wasn’t, but it turns out he’s grown into a decent young man despite all the debauchery. And the kid’s done pretty well for himself.”
She looked around at the high ceilings and laughed. “You think?”
But as her father chuckled, Daisy’s gaze drifted toward the hallway where Jameson remained, and the truth settled heavy in her—some pirates stole booty, others stole souls, but some… some stole the parts you’d promised to always protect.
Amelia’s birthday party was in full swing. Kids from her class were running wild in the backyard, shrieking and playing with inflatable swords.
Lenny and Kyler were on the deck with Anna and Riley, while their parents gathered around the patio furniture sharing wineand stories. Daisy’s body stung with remembrance—it was like being transported into the past, when things were simple, and indecision didn’t grip her.
“Hey, boss!”
Daisy turned to find Jessica striding through the patio doors, dressed head-to-toe in pirate chic, with a black leather dress, boots, and a tricorn hat perched at an angle.
