Iwanted to throw up.
The last time I had been this nervous… actually, I couldn’t remember the last time I had been that nervous.
As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I felt incredibly stupid. My hair was freshly cut and styled, beard trimmed, and I was dressed in a brand-new outfit—at Madison’s insistence. She’d told me I needed to “clean up” for my date with Gage.
Mydatewith Gage.
The pit in my stomach rolled. I wasn’t even sure itwasa date. He’d made it crystal clear when he first started how uncomfortable he was to be replacing my late husband. And that was just for work. I doubted he’d want to be anything more than just friends and co-workers. For all I knew, this dinner was so we could have some privacy and he could let me down easy.
Or it could be to discuss the show and business. Maybe he wasn’t even still thinking about the kiss, and he just brushed it off as one of those things drunk people do and then want to forget it ever happened.
Part of me wished I could pretend it never happened. Especially if it would ruin whatever relationship I already had with Gage.
“Ugh, why is this so hard?” I groused as I straightened by tie.
A chuckle from the doorway drew my attention and I couldn’t help but smile. No matter what else was going on in my life, I could count on my daughter’s presence to always brighten my day or mood.
“Hey, peanut,” I said softly as she came over and wrapped her arms around my waist. My own arms immediately enveloped her, and I dropped a kiss to the top of her head.
“You look very handsome, Daddy.” Her words were muffled, as her face was pressed tight to my side. It sent alarm bells ringing.
I tried to pull her back a little, so I could see her face, but she wouldn’t budge.
“What’s wrong, baby?” I was pretty sure I knew the answer and my heart sank.
She shook her head. “Nothing.”
I let out a sigh and led Madison to the bed, forcing her to sit.
“This is about Gage, isn’t it?” Her silence and the way she refused to meet my eye had me letting out a sigh. “It’s because I’m interested in someone else. You can talk to me, Mads. It’s okay to have feelings about what’s happening, lord knows I keep questioning it, too.”
Madison bit her lip and slowly lifted her head and my heart clenched at her big wet eyes.
“I miss Dad.” Her voice broke and I could see the dam about to break in her eyes.
I pulled Madison into my arms, and we clung to each other, tighter than ever.
“I miss him too, baby, every damn day.” I pulled back a little, so we were eye to eye. “But I want you to know, no matter what happens, and with whom—whether it’s Gage or someone else down the line—no one, and I meanno one, will ever replace your dad.”
I hesitated as I thought over my next question, almost afraid of the answer. Part of me thought I shouldn’t be, based on Madison’s earlier teasing of Gage and me. But that was before she thought there might actually be a Gage and me.
“Do you… do you like Gage? You and Will seem to be getting along…” My voice trailed off and I was afraid of whatever expression was on my face. I really liked Gage, and I hoped Madison did too. Because we were a package deal, and if she didn’t like someone, then it couldn’t work. I was too old to deal with battles between my daughter and a partner. And Madison would always be my number one priority.
“I do!” Her eyes went wide as she answered without hesitation.
“Good,” I said with a nod. “Me too.” I cleared my throat as I stood back up, giving myself another once over in the mirror. “You ready to go?”
Madison nodded and bounded toward the door.
“What are you two crazy kids planning on getting up to tonight?”
“Watch the rest of this horror movie series we started to watch after we came back up from the party.” The gleam in her eyes had me chuckling. I’d never been much for horror movies but anytime one was showing on TV, Madison was sure to tune in.
I was glad she finally had someone she could watch them with. In the back of my mind, I hoped that no matter what happened with Gage and I, that Madison and Will would be able to remain friends.
As we walked down to Gage’s suite, my palms started to sweat. All my doubts and second guessing came flooding back, coupled with worries about Madison and what shereallythought of me dating again.
Before I could stop her, so I could have a moment to collect myself, Madison was enthusiastically knocking on Gage’s door. I tried to swallow the lump of nervousness in my throat, but I thought I might throw up instead.
