Page 115 of Vow

“What?”

“Something came up,” Haven said, searching for the right words.

“Oh, the man your mother mentioned?”

Jesus Christ.

“Did she tell you about that?”

She swore she could hear the smile in her father’s tone when he said, “She did tell me. She was worried you wouldn’t make the right choice.”

Haven blinked. “Pardon?”

“In case you’re wondering, you made the right choice.”

Because she stayed, she realized.

Oh.

“Haven,” her father murmured.

“Yeah?”

“I know you’re going to feel guilty, and think that you should be here, but please don’t do that. Please don’t. Your mother and I are okay. You have things to handle there, and that’s fine. We’re still going to be here either way when things settle out.”

“I should be there, though,” she said.

“You should be happy,” her father returned. “That’s what we want. That’s all we’ve ever wanted, sweetheart.”

Well, fuck.

How was she supposed to argue with that?

“And on another note,” her father said, “about this man.”

Haven smiled. “What’s that?”

“I expect to meet him. Size him up, scare the shit out of him maybe.”

Have laughed under her breath. “If I told you to save your breath, would you listen?”

“Can’t. Father’s duty. He’ll understand.”

“Dad—”

“Now, don’t you go taking this away from me, Haven. You’re all grown up, and this is the only time I can do this.”

Sure.

She just laughed.

“Although, he must be something I guess, to make you change your plans like this. You always were so stuck in your ways. Nothing could ever change your mind once you decided on something.”

He wasn’t lying.

“Andino is …” Haven struggled to find the right words.

“Hmm?”