Page 93 of The Daddy’s Girl

When I’m done, he hangs his head and rubs his eyes. “Fuck.”

Giving him a minute to process all this, I move toward the espresso machine and fire it up. I can hear him behind me pacing as this news sinks in.

“Why can’t anyone in this fucking family just have a normal relationship?” he groans.

I laugh as the machine whirrs loudly. “Normal is a fallacy, Julian. You of all people should know that.”

“It’s not funny, Matis. My dad is going to kill you when he finds out.”

My hand freezes before banging the used espresso grounds into the trash can. “I know that,” I mutter quietly. “That’s why we’re not telling him.”

“So, what? You’re just going to wait until he’s gone before you two go public?”

Wincing, I shoot him a harsh glare. “Of course not. Listen, this just started. We don’t know what it is or how long it will last.”

“You just said you love her.”

“I do love her,” I argue. “But I understand that I might not be the best person for Amelia. I don’t know what kind of partner I can be. She deserves better. I know that.”

“Don’t I get a say?” Her soft voice carries from around the corner as she climbs down the stairs in her too-big T-shirt. Her pretty blond hair is matted and sticking up in the back, reminding me of what we did last night.

My chest releases a heavy breath when I see her, realizing that the reality of our situation is hitting a lot sooner than either of us expected. She hardly even notices her brother standing in the room. Instead, her aqua-blue orbs are laser focused on me, waiting for me to answer her question.

My shoulders soften with pity. “Of course, mon trésor. But we talked about this.”

“I know we did. And you think you’re going to break my heart before you even give us a chance.”

“I don’t think. I know.”

She steps up close to me, her tiny frame coming up to my chin as I lift hers and level her gaze with mine. With defiance, she replies, “If the tables were turned, is there anything I could say that would stop you from being with me? If I told you that being with me would break your heart, wouldn’t you risk it?”

My flat-lipped expression curves in a coy smile. “In a heartbeat.”

Her mouth mirrors mine, grinning up at me. Then she reaches up and scratches her nails against the nape of my neck. “It’ll be worth it.”

With that, I lower my face, locking my lips with hers in a tender, grinning kiss.

Behind her, Julian clears his throat. “Excuse me,” he barks. “What the fuck is happening?”

Amelia hangs from my neck, deepening our kiss as she waves her brother away.

“Amelia,” he calls in a scolding tone.

“Go home, Jules,” she replies against my lips. “Go talk to your fiancée. She was the one who encouraged this in the first place.”

With that, I wrap my hands around her lower back and curve her body against mine.

I can’t remember the last time I was this happy. It’s ridiculous, really. I am a fifty-three-year-old man, not some lovestruck teenager. But that is how I feel. Like life has handed me a second chance.

My heart has learned a new rhythm, and its name is Amelia.

While kissing her, I see Julian in my periphery, and he’s still wearing an expression of frustration. Pulling away from the embrace, I stand with her by my side.

“Julian, we are asking you to keep our secret. Just for a little longer. Until we figure this all out.”

His eyes jump back and forth between our faces.

Amelia shoots him a pleading look. “I’ve covered for you, Julian. Remember the time you snuck a boy into your room, and I let him hide under my bed while Mom came upstairs to say good night?”