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I smile, unable to stop myself, and resist stealing her back from his embrace. She’s looking up at him dreamily, her eyes glittery, her face alive. I step back and observe them for a few moments, allow myself to take them in. I hate and love my conclusion all at once. Love. It’s so strong, I can feel the intensity of it myself. I hate to admit it, but I think my baby girl has found her soul mate. God damn her. God damn him.
“So what happened to the travel plans?” Todd joins us and hands me a much-needed beer. I nod my thanks, and we all take a seat at the breakfast bar.
Tia’s stool is so close to The River’s, she’s virtually sitting on his lap. “We did Cambodia, and then flew on to New Zealand. Trent’s last stop was New Zealand, then he was due to go home.” She sighs, and The River takes her hand. “I didn’t want to continue without him.”
“So you abandoned your trip of a lifetime,” I finish for her.
“I couldn’t leave him.” Planting a kiss on his cheek, she gives me her full attention, an expression I can’t read traveling across her face. “How are you?” she asks tentatively.
Looks pass between her and Todd, and even Steve pipes down at my feet. I look at my mate, who refuses to acknowledge me, his head shaking mildly at Tia. “I’m good,” I breathe, glaring at him. He’s told her. Great. Now is the perfect time for a change of subject. “Have you spoken to your mother?”
“Not yet.” Tia thumbs the bottom of her glass of water, unbothered.
“Does she know you’re home?”
She shakes her head, looking up at me. “Can we get dinner before I contend with her drama?”
I smile, knowing exactly where she’s coming from. Granted, Tia’s change of image and choice of man is a shock to me, but I can see she’s happy. Probably the happiest I’ve ever known her to be. Who am I to take someone’s happiness away from them, especially from someone I love? Tia’s mother, with her ladies who lunch in two-piece suits and pearls, will be having a meltdown of epic proportions. I might go along for the show. “Sure. You want to go out?”
“Chinese takeaway?” she suggests, eyes bright. That’s our thing. Chinese food, slumped on the couch watching trash. It’s been too long.
“I’ll get the menu.” I wander over to the drawer that houses the endless takeaway menus. So it won’t be totally the same, what with Tia’s new shadow and Todd tucking in as well, but she’s home, and that’s all I care about right now. I have questions. Lots of questions. Most importantly, where will my daughter and The River reside? Specifically, what country? What’s his trade? Will he be getting job? Can he support her? But it can all wait. For now, I’m just going to enjoy her. And the distraction she’s providing me with.
“Hey, Dad, can’t you go fetch Pops?” Tia calls from behind. “I’d love Trent to meet him.”
“Yeah, go get the old boy out of jail for a few hours.” Todd backs her up.
I toss the menu on the worktop. “You lot order.” Grabbing my keys, I head for the door. “And no hot shit.”
I leave behind a pair of amused people, and one baffled one. The River won’t be baffled for long. I’m sure Tia and Todd will fill him in on my dick’s encounter with a chili.
The dining table is loaded with various dishes, and everyone tucks in. It’s a casual affair, everyone muscling each other out of the way to access the food. “So, Trent,” Pops says, his face and tone telling me that he’s about to land Tia’s new boyfriend with some sarcastic enquiry. “You not take a razor with you on your travels?”
Trent laughs, and Tia grins. “Actually, sir, it got tiresome shaving all the time. With the world at my feet, I didn’t want to waste any time on trivial stuff. It’s why I went traveling in the first place, you know, to escape the mundane routine of everyday life.”
“Not so trivial now, is it?” Pops motions to the masses of facial hair suspending from Trent’s face. “You’re getting your noodles stuck in it.”
Smiling, he returns to his food as Tia fondles with his facial hair. “I like it,” she declares.
I peek at Todd, who rolls his eyes with me. I’m guessing Tia would like any outlandish style The River chose to sport.
I slide my fork onto my plate and reach for Todd’s empty. “You done?”
He falls back in his chair and holds his stomach. “Stuffed.”
“Here, I’ll help you, Mr. Williamson.” The River rises from his chair and starts gathering up all the empty plates.
“Cheers.” I silently praise him for his effort and manners. “You can call me Luke.”
