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Roman’s face lit up. For a teenage boy who had dreams of playing professionally himself, at least according to Imogene, this was probably akin to winning the lottery. “Do you mean it?”
“Absolutely.”
“I… I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll be good to Imogene.”
“Of course, sir. Even without your offer, I’ll always be good to Mo.”
“Good answer.”
“Come on, Roman.” Imogene grabbed his hand, pulling him away. “Let’s go on the slides.”
He looked at Lachlan, almost as if asking permission. Once Lachlan nodded, Roman turned, he and Imogene joining their friends.
Sauntering up to him, I looped my arm through his. “Pretty sure you just made his day. Hell, his entire year,” I remarked as we walked toward a large picnic area, a few of the parents I recognized from Imogene’s school sitting there.
He shrugged. “He’s a good kid. And Imogene likes him.”
“Good kid? If he’s such a good kid, why did you just give him the third-degree?”
“I considered myself a good kid. But I also remember what I was like at that age.” He gave me a knowing look. “I just wanted to remind him who he’d have to deal with if he hurt Imogene.”
I opened my mouth to argue that broken hearts were a part of life as a teenager, but he cut me off.
“And I’m not talking about them breaking up. They’re young. I know this is just a teenage romance thing. I’m talking about hurting her deeper than that.”
I nodded. He didn’t have to say another word. I knew what he was talking about.
I lived what he was talking about.
“Thank you,” I murmured as I lifted myself onto my toes and brushed my lips against his.
“Just looking out for Imogene.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“Then what do you mean?”
“All of this.” I waved my hand around at the teenagers enjoying the park, their laughter and excitement exactly what I needed.
He opened his mouth, but I cut him off before he could give me the response I sensed coming.
“I know. I know. It’s not a big deal. For someone with money, this was barely a drop in the bucket. But I’m not thanking you for that. I’m thanking you for the fact that you put in the effort with Imogene. And not just today, but from the beginning. I came into this thing with a shit ton of baggage.” I laughed under my breath. “As you’re learning more and more every day, especially with recent…developments.”
“Not here,” he admonished. “Remember. Today’s just a normal day.”
“I know.” I smiled, then glanced toward the slides, watching Imogene and Roman speed down on a pair of blankets. “But you never shied away from all of this. Despite the challenges, you stuck with me when most men would have decided it wasn’t worth it. You’ve treated Imogene as if she were your own daughter.” My eyes welled with tears, emotion overtaking me. “I don’t think you realize how much that means to me.”
He pulled me closer, cupping my face, expression awash with nothing short of absolute sincerity and honest devotion.
“I love you, Julia.” He allowed his words to sink in for several seconds before a small smile teased his lips. “And despite her occasional attitude and the minor meltdown earlier, I love your daughter, too. I’ll always do everything I can for you. For her. For this strange, unconventional little family we’ve made.”
I tilted my head. “Family?”
He nodded, a peacefulness washing over him. “I know we’ve only been together a few months. But in that time, you and your daughter have become my family. My ohana.” He leaned toward me, lips warming mine. “I hope I’ve become like that to you, too.”
“More than I think you realize,” I sighed as I succumbed to his kiss. Everything about today, about this moment, felt…perfect.
I knew it wouldn’t last. That, at some point, we’d have to face the reality of my ex-husband being on the loose. That he may very well be trying to get to Imogene and me at this exact moment. But for now, I wasn’t going to think about that. Wasn’t going to let him have that kind of power over me.
Instead, I was going to bask in this man’s love and savor the gift he gave my daughter.
And me.
“Come on, love…” Lachlan pulled back, grabbing my hand. “How about a round of mini golf? See if either of us can get a hole in one.” He flirtatiously waggled his brows.
“Play your cards right, I’m pretty sure you will later on.”
