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But it turned out to be a good thing.
Ryan was a big football fan, and after talking for a few minutes, he invited me to the wedding. Apparently, a couple of guests had canceled at the last minute because they’d gotten sick, leaving a few empty seats and extra meals. I’d hesitated at first, not wanting to intrude on someone else’s wedding. But Ryan insisted.
And when Heather looked up at me with those hopeful green eyes, I knew there was no way in hell I was turning down the invitation.
So, I accepted.
I brought Christine along, too.
Audrey had declined when I mentioned the invitation. Not that I’d expected her to want to come. She didn’t know the bride or groom, and I suspected she wasn’t particularly thrilled about the idea of spending an evening watching me with another woman.
She hadn’t said much about Heather since our conversation yesterday, but I knew she wasn’t happy.
That was her problem.
I wasn’t going to let my ex-wife dictate my love life. The only opinion that really mattered to me was Christine’s and thankfully, I had her approval.
More than that, actually. My daughter seemed to genuinely like Heather. My girlfriend.
I liked the sound of that.
By the time the reception started winding down, Christine was yawning so often that I was beginning to wonder if her jaw would get stuck open.
“You ready to call it a night, Chris?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I’m exhausted.”
Heather smiled at her. “Too much dancing?”
“Probably.” Christine grinned. “But it was fun.”
“I’m glad you came.”
“Me too.”
Christine hesitated, then stepped forward and hugged Heather. I watched with something warm settling in my chest as Heather immediately wrapped her arms around my daughter.
When they separated, Christine looked at me with a knowing little smile.
“I’m going to Mom’s bungalow.”
“Okay. Text me when you get there.”
“Dad, it’s like a two-minute walk.”
“Text me anyway.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Fine.” Then she looked at Heather again. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Christine.”
Heather slipped her hand into mine as Christine headed toward the ballroom exit.
“She’s a great kid.”
I looked down at her. “Yeah. She is.”
