Page 220 of Dream On, Liar

I swallowed.

“I barely knew who I was when I married your mother, let alone understand who she was. And neither of us knew what love was supposed to look like.”

I stared at him.

He continued quietly. “That’s the reason why you won’t make the same mistake. You’re not us.”

I said nothing.

The words sat between us.

Then his gaze sharpened. “You love him, don't you?”

My breath caught.

“It feels like it.” A shaky laugh escaped me. I covered my face with both hands. “I do.”

The admission felt terrifying the second it was spoken. “I think I might have started falling the first night I met him.”

Dad's mouth twitched. “Which explains why you were so angry with him.”

I peeked through my fingers. “Yeah.”

“And the tequila?”

I groaned. “That too.”

He laughed softly.

I lowered my hands.

“He’s upset.” My voice lost its humour. “He’s barely spoken to me.”

Dad didn’t interrupt.

“And considering he’d taken his rehabilitation seriously, he didn’t even need to be around me that much except when he came in for taping.”

I tried to make it sound like a practical observation.

It failed.

Dad’s expression softened. “Don’t sound too sad about that.”

I looked at him.

“That is a good thing.”

“I know.” The words came out quietly. I stared at the open kit bag beside me. “I just wanted more of him, I guess.”

Dad’s smile was small, knowing. “Then go get him.”

My eyes lifted. “What about the clause?”

He waved a hand, dismissing the objection before I'd even finished asking it. “We’ll figure it out.” `

I blinked.

“He’s a good one.” Dad smiled. “And I can get behind it.”