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“If this is real,” Dad says, nodding, “you’d be able to support her. I know that.”
“It is real,” I say.
Dad sighs, looking at Hayden, then at me, then back to Hayden. “Part of me wishes I could simply call you crazy. But I know you both too well for that. I can see how much you care for each other. And all that stuff about family…you both believe it, don’t you? You both want it.”
“Yes,” Hayden and I say at the same time, with the same level of destiny-tinged confidence.
“I’m so, so sorry for lying,” Hayden says. “We should’ve told you the second we kissed. But here, now, we’re telling you the truth. If you give me your blessing, just know I’ll always take care of Hallie, provide for her, and be there for our children. I’ll always support her in following her passions. I’ll always, always be there for her.”
Hayden cuts off, his voice getting choked. I can’t take it anymore. Reaching over, I touch his hand, squeezing it supportively.
Tears glisten in Hayden’s eyes. He presses firmly on my hand.
When I turn back to dad, he’s smiling softly.
“This is all so surreal,” he says. “But nobody could look at you two and say it isn’t real.”
“I thought you’d go nuts,” I murmur.
Dad shakes his head. “If another forty-five-year-old man came to me with this, I’d think he was manipulating you, Hallie. I’d think there was something bad going on. I’d consider it my duty to learn everything about this man to work out if you want to be together.
“But with Hayden,” he goes on, his smile getting a tiny bit wider, causing a not-so-tiny flare of hope to shimmer through me. “I already know everything. I know he’s telling the truth. I know he means what he says.”
“Yes,” Hayden says huskily.
“And you mean it, Hallie.”
“Completely.”
“Then I won’t stand in the way,” Dad says. “As long as this is all true, as long as you haven’t lied to me.”
“No,” Hayden says. “Not again. Goddamn, Graham, we never should have to begin with.”
Dad waves a hand. “As long as you love each other, you truly want to be together, this isn’t a mistake….”
“No,” I whisper.
“Never,” Hayden growls.
“Then it’s like I said.” Dad lets his smile spread now. “I won’t stand in the way. You have my blessing…but Hayden, I have to say this. If you hurt her, there will be a problem.”
“I’d expect nothing less,” Hayden says, returning dad’s smile. “Thank you, Graham.”
I can’t take it anymore.
The tears burst out of me, passionate sobs, as I realize everything might work out after all.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Hayden
“You have every right to change your mind,” I say, looking across the coffee table at Janine and Graham.
Things are far less tense than they were in California. As I sit in their living room, memories of the past couple of weeks return to me, all of them bright and involving Hallie.
Without the need to sneak around, hide, or feel guilty, we’ve been able to grow as a couple.
We’ve started working together, side by side, in my office at my apartment. In fact, Hallie’s been staying over more often than not.
But I wanted to wait until Graham was back on the East Coast before I took the most important step of my life.
Graham smiles, looking over at Janine, whose smile is just as wide.
“You have our blessing,” Janine says. “Even if you did tell this one first.”
She playfully tickles Graham. I find myself smiling along with them, their love so evident it’s as though it’s floating in the air.
It makes me think of Hallie, of later, of the ring in my pocket.
“Hayden, are you okay?” Hallie whispers as I lead her onto the balcony of the presidential suite.
We’re in the tallest hotel in the city, looking down as the night lights flicker up at us, as the stars gaze down from a clear sky.
My heart thuds so powerfully in my chest, despite knowing Hallie wants this, too. I remember all the kissing, talking, and love we’ve done over the past couple of weeks.
“You know I love you, Hallie,” I murmur, taking her hands in mine as I stare down at her.
I know that this moment will be carved into my mind forever. The glow of the moon in her hair, the dress hugging her body, and most of all, the readiness in her eyes. The glint of hope for the future is always there.
“I love you too,” she says, giving my hands an affectionate squeeze.
“I’ve wanted to ask you something for a while now,” I go on, leaning down, kissing the edge of her mouth gently.
“Hmm?” Her breath caresses my face. “What, Hayden?”
“It’s the future we both want, right at the beginning,” I say fiercely. “It’s the happiness, the laughter, the family…the marriage.”
“Hayden,” she whispers, her voice shaking.
“I love you, Hallie,” I say passionately. “I loved you the second I came home, the moment I saw you. Because if what I felt isn’t love – knowing you’re mine, wanting to protect you, be with you, and support you forever – then I don’t know what is.”
