Page 90 of Parentmoon

“Something like that.” I smooth my hands down his vest, feeling the strength of his chest beneath the layers.

As I pull my hands back, Dallas catches my wrists, bringing my palms back to his chest. “I admire you, too.”

The ruggedness of his drawl heightens the seductive way the words roll off his tongue, leaving me to imagine him saying three other words. Our eyes lock. I want that kiss that will ruin my lipstick and mess up my hair and leave me breathless. I want the intensity of him looking at me like he is today, every day for the rest of my life.

“Daddy? Is Jo here yet?” Keli calls out from inside her room, breaking the spell of our moment.

“I’ll be right there,” I call back, lingering on Dallas’s bright eyes another second.

“That lipstick.” His gaze flits down to my mouth.

“I want to say yes please, but two people are waiting on us.”

“You save those yesses for later then.” He smiles, flicking that dimple at me like the bright flash of his phone camera in the dark last night. “I’ll be on the balcony.” He winks before pressing a softer kiss to the corner of my mouth.

As Dallas moves onto the balcony, I head to Keli’s room and stop in my tracks once inside.

“That dress,” I whisper. Katherine wanted a gaudy thing, while Keli wanted a simple one. With my intervention, we settled on something in between that was classic and uncomplicated. Her original dress was beautiful, but this dress is perfect for a tropical wedding. Strapless with a knot at the bustline, the dress falls sleek and straight to her feet. A white flower matching Michael’s is tucked into her hair which is twisted back from the front of her face but tumbles in waterfall curls down her back.

“I won’t bother with heels.” She lifts the skirt to expose a pair of white flipflops while holding the bodice with her other hand. “But I can’t zip this thing, and I didn’t want to ask Daddy to help.”

With skilled fingers, I zip up her dress. “You look so beautiful. Michael’s heart will stop.”

Keli laughs, adjusting the fit with the dress finally zipped. She turns to face me. “I hope not.”

“You look like a woman in love. Stunning.”

“Thank you.” Keli tips her head, giving me a mischievous grin that rivals her father. “Funny, you look the same way.”

I laugh harder, hoping the sound overshadows the beating of my heart which seems to thump louder every time someone mentions love and Dallas. That’s two people so far today and again I dismiss the possibility. We all have wedding fever. It’s going to our heads. Only, the fever I’m starting to feel is linked to being lovesick.

As in, I’m pretty certain I’m in love with Dallas Cole.

“Okay, delusional-bride-to-be, let’s get you hitched.” I step back, transferring the attention from me to her as it should be today.

“Is Daddy ready on the balcony?” She smooths her hands down her dress and takes another glance at herself in the mirror.

“He said that’s where he’ll be waiting.”

“Is Michael ready?” Her voice lowers, her eyes dropping in the reflection.

“I’m pretty sure he’s the man standing beneath two palm trees down on the beach waiting on you, too.”

Slowly, Keli smiles, meeting my eyes through the mirror. “I’m getting married to Michael today.” While her voice is quiet, the excitement within it can’t be contained.

“In a few minutes, honey.” I squeeze her shoulders, keeping my gaze on her in the reflection.

She squeals, stomps her feet, and then straightens up like she didn’t just do a happy dance about marrying my son.

Exiting the bedroom first, I keep to the back of the living room, while Keli approaches her dad. The photographer follows, snapping away as Keli taps her dad on the shoulder, and he turns to get his first glance at his baby girl dressed like a tropical princess and ready to marry a man.

Dallas’s jaw tightens. He licks his lips. Then he pinches his eyes with his fingertips. My eyes prickle with tears as well.

We’re both about to witness what we never had when we were young. I’m so happy for Michael and Keli. True love finds a happy ending . . . or rather, a new beginning.

Keli and Dallas embrace, and the photographer clacks away.

“I need to go,” I whisper at first, my throat too full of emotion. Then I clear it and try again, louder. “I need to get back to Michael.”