Page 78 of Penalty Kick

“Where did you hear that?” Robert asked.

“In the letter he wasn’t supposed to read,” Bert answered, a tattletale tone to his voice.

“Your letter from Mom. I found it on your desk. I know I wasn’t supposed to read it, but…but,” Doug stammered before he swallowed hard. Talia could see the tears filling his eyes, threatening to spill. “I just miss Mom so much, and I thought maybe I could feel her again by reading your letter, like I do when I read mine.”

“Oh, Doug,” Talia said, reaching over Dash and squeezing her brother’s hand. She knew exactly how he felt. If there was a way she could take that pain away, she would. “But what do you mean I’m the reason?”

“That was what she told me,” Robert interjected. “After she admitted to that night in Paris, she told me that it didn’t matter biologically whose you were. Because finding out she was pregnant with you made it clear what she wanted, and that was for the three of us to be a family. That you are the reason for our family.”

Leaning forward, Robert rested his forearms on the table. Talia held her breath, waiting for him to say something, anything. To make this all make sense.

“Talia, I owe you an apology. And you, Gunnar,” Robert continued. “Elena’s letter should have made me hold on tighter, but instead, it…I don’t know. It turned my world inside out and I handled it all poorly. Very, very poorly. Then when Talia left and said that the paternity test came back that she wasn’t actually mine…I lost it all over again. Talia, I hope you can forgive me.”

The sound of sniffles from the other end of the table, ones that Talia knew belonged to Avery, was all she needed to make her own tears start. All those unnamed emotions from earlier came flooding back, overwhelming her. Dash squeezed her hand, gently letting her know he was still there but giving her the space she needed to process. Damn, he was perfect. How did he know exactly what she needed in this moment.

That’s right, because he was her person.

“Of course, Dad. Of course.”

“Wonderful,” he replied, his own eyes shiny. Pointing to the door, he continued, “Looks like our waitress is here, so we should at least order our drinks. Then you can tell me all about this program.”

Talia nodded, a whole new happiness taking over. Turning back to Dash, she beamed at him, not knowing where to begin in thanking him. It was his segue that turned the tides on this conversation. Just like Johnny had at the final banquet in Dirty Dancing.

Because no one put her in the corner.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Talia was soaring.

That was easily the best dinner she had ever had—and the food wasn’t half bad either. Never in a million years would she have ever thought that her father would take an interest in what she was studying. Unless she had changed her major—which she’d had zero intention of ever doing.

Robert hadn’t just taken an interest in her classes though. He’d taken an interest in her new life. She could tell that there were moments that were tough for him, but he’d made an effort to engage Gunnar, Felicity, and everyone else at the table, asking about how they had all become so close in such a short period of time, and what everyone did for a living. Suddenly it felt more like old friends catching up than a get-to-know-you session, with lots of stories and jokes being shared. It had been absolutely perfect.

Walking leisurely down the long hallway of the hotel, Talia was so full of joy that she could burst. Saying goodbye to her family had been hard, but they had promised to come visit, and she believed that they meant it. Felicity’s insistence that they also come for Christmas hadn’t hurt either.

“I’m wiped,” she commented, sliding her keycard into the slot.

Dash extended his arm, pushing the heavy door open and holding it as she walked in. Talia placed a kiss on his cheek, pinching the side of his waist as she walked by, earning a playful gasp from him. Her insides melted, loving this time with him. She also loved how quick on his feet he’d been at dinner, saving the whole night from ruin. She owed him more than she could say for paving the way to the start of her and Robert’s relationship being mended. She had no idea how to begin to repay him. All she had was her love and support to give, at least for now. All she could do was hope that would be enough.

“I would suggest a hot bath, but Gunnar has that rule about bathtubs,” Dash replied with a laugh.

Stopping in her tracks, Talia spun around to face him. “Gunnar has a rule about bathtubs?”

“Yup. Not allowed unless they can fit at least two people.”

“Stop right there.” She held up her hand, trying to prevent the visual creeping into her brain. “I don’t need to know anything else about my dad’s rule about bathtubs needing to fit two people.”

Dash barked out a laugh, one so deep and hearty Talia thought it could shake the walls. She loved that laugh and the way it made her feel inside. Like all was right with the world. Wrapping an arm around her, Dash pulled her into him, their bodies crashing together. He captured her mouth in a kiss, his tongue running along her bottom lip, sending shivers through her. Only he could go straight from joking about her dad to making her knees weak.

“So the hot bath idea is out,” he continued, kissing along her jaw. His hands ran up her back, stopping at the nape of her neck, his fingers dancing along the sensitive skin there. A shiver ran down her spine from his touch, making her crave more. “I can feel how tense you are, Talia. How about I help loosen you up with a shoulder rub?”

“If you want in my pants, all you have to do is say the words. No need to try and disguise it with a back rub.”

“If all I wanted was into your pants, they would already be on the floor, Bonita,” he sassed back, nipping at her ear. Talia mewled, wanting more. “What I want is for you to relax. You had a big day, and you deserve a little pampering.” His hand found her ass, giving it a squeeze, his teeth grazing her ear once more. “PJs on, por favor.”

Dash took a step back, and Talia immediately missed him. Cool air rushed around her, a shock to her senses after all the heat that was building between them. She did as requested though, making quick work of slipping into the sleep shorts and camisole. Surveying herself, she had a moment of self-consciousness, wondering if she needed to upgrade her sleepwear. She’d never been one for cute lingerie or even matching sleep sets, since it wasn’t like anyone was going to see it. Except now, someone was.

Maybe I need to rethink that logic…