Page 54 of Tangled in Temptation

I sighed, deciding to be honest. He already suspected, and if things turned out the way I hoped they would, I needed him to stop trying to push me and Luke together. “Dad, I think I’m falling in love with Timothy.”

He looked shocked. “Falling in love? Are you serious, Catherine? That’s a powerful statement.”

I nodded. “I know, but it’s real.”

He took a deep breath. “Are you sure?”

“No,” I answered honestly. “But I know I have to talk to him. I’ve been looking at this whole situation wrong. Timothy isn’t like the snobby, elite folks I thought he was. He’s just caught up in a bad situation with his ex-wife.”

“That snobby ex-wife has her hooks in him pretty good from what I understand,” he warned.

“Trust me, I know,” I said. “But I miss him, Dad. I miss us and how easy it used to be together. We were friends. Good friends. His ex is a handful, but I believe it’s over between them. She wants him back, but I can’t say I blame her.”

My dad’s face tightened, and he sighed, clearly not thrilled about my revelation. “Catherine, you’re sure about this? Falling in love can be complicated.”

I rolled my eyes at the word. “I know. Trust me, I’ve been over the complicated thing. It’s a mess, but it’s my mess. Love is messy and all that stuff.”

“What about him?” he asked. “Does he feel the same way?”

“I think he feels some kind of way, but I’m not sure exactly what his feelings are. That’s why I need to talk to him. I need to be honest with myself and with him. I can’t let fear or misunderstanding ruin something that might be great.”

My dad studied me for a while, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Then he sighed, took off his safety glasses, and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“Catherine, you’re an adult, and I know I can’t stop you from doing what you feel is right,” he said gruffly. “But remember, hearts aren’t like boards or nails. You can’t just hammer them back into place if they break.”

I chewed on my bottom lip, dwelling on his words. “I know, Dad,” I replied softly. “But I also know that if I don’t try because I’m scared of being hurt, then that’s a certain kind of pain in itself. A lifetime of wondering ‘what if?’ That’s a regret I don’t want to live with.”

Dad didn’t respond right away; instead, he took off his work gloves and folded them neatly on the table. He looked at me with those piercing eyes, filled with decades of wisdom.

“When you love someone, you don’t just risk your own heart. You risk theirs too. So remember, if you’re going to do this, be sure. Be absolutely sure.”

“I understand, Dad,” I said, my voice a mixture of gratitude and determination.

“What about the girl, Paisley?”

“That’s where things get complicated, but Timothy is trying to do right by her. He’s a good man. He’s going through hell to try and make sure she has a good life. That should soften you toward him a little.”

He chuckled. “It’s not that I don’t like the guy. I’m just not sure his complicated situation is good for you. He’s not really free. Now Luke, on the other hand, is free and clear.”

“Dad, stop,” I chided.

“I’m not going to change your mind,” he sighed. “You’ve always been stubborn, but this is your decision to make. I only want to protect you, but I understand I might not be able to save you from every hurt. This is something you’re going to have to learn on your own.”

“Yes, I know.” I nodded. “And I know there is a good chance I’ll get my heart broken, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

He studied me for a moment before reluctantly nodding. “Then I will wish you good luck, Catherine. Just be careful, okay?”

I hugged him, grateful for his reluctant support. “Thanks, Dad. I appreciate it.”

“How long are you going to be there?”

“Probably just a couple of days. He asked me to go to a gala with him. It’s my way of paying him back for going to Scott’s wedding with me.”

“I hope you have fun,” he said. “Don’t come back here wanting caviar and champagne,” he teased.

“Definitely not.” I gave him a hug. “I’ll see you in a couple of days.”

I hit the road for New York City. The drive was long, and my mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. I hoped I wasn’t too late. If I was, I only had myself to blame. I had pushed him away. As I got closer to the city, I could feel my anxiety amping up.