AllFreeNovel
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“Hey. Yeah, of course.”
“Have you ordered yet?”
Nerves have me the furthest thing from hungry. “No. I actually had a late breakfast.”
“Adalyn’s doing, I assume?”
I don’t bother asking whether he knew I stayed at her place last night or if he’s just fishing. Either way, Braxton’s advice has me saying, “Yes.”
He nods, stretching his arm along the back of the booth. “She’s always been a breakfast girl. Never skipped that meal, no matter how little time she had to eat in the morning.”
“Sounds about right. She wouldn’t let us leave the hotel in the morning until we had eaten something.”
The hint of a smile twists his lips. “How was the trip for you, really? Excluding that night.”
He sounds genuine in his question, and my nerves settle the slightest bit. Maybe he doesn’t want me dead after all. Just wounded.
“It was great. I never thought I’d get a chance to witness the kind of culture and art that lives in Europe. I’ve clogged my phone with a million photos. It’s hard to believe we actually went, thinking back on it now.”
“You enjoyed yourselves, then.”
“We did.”
The waitress stops by then, and we order our food. It’s a welcome break in the tense, almost awkward conversation. I’ve never had a hard time talking to Oakley about anything, but I have a case of dry mouth right now.
Once we’re alone again, he clears his throat and says, “I planned on coming today and dragging your ass across hot coals. But my wife seems to think I overreacted yesterday.”
“I think you acted like any father would.”
“I appreciate that, but neither you nor my daughter are incapable of making your own decisions. While I was blindsided by the news, I shouldn’t have put the blame on you the way I did. I’m sorry for that.”
I bury my surprise, not wanting it to show on my face. “I appreciate that. Neither of us set out to upset anyone.”
“We know that. Well, most of us. You and my eldest son need to have a conversation, but that’s on you two. Maddox can be a stubborn hothead, which I’m sure you’re well aware of.”
“You could say that.” I laugh lightly. “I’m giving him time to cool down before reaching out.”
“Probably a smart choice.”
“For what it’s worth, I tried to keep my distance. But Adalyn is . . .”
“Special,” he finishes for me.
I blow out a long breath. “For starters.”
“Of course, I would have preferred you two not already be legally tied to one another while starting a relationship, but I could think of worse partners for her.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“The closest to one you’re going to get from me anytime soon.”
“Then thank you.”
He snorts. “You’re welcome.”
The mood lifts after that, although I wouldn’t go as far as to call it relaxed. Once our food arrives, we chat while we eat, and when the waitress brings our bills, we part on a better note.
As I slide into my car and watch Oakley drive off, I pull out my phone and grin. Addie’s text is accompanied by a photo of her at the skate park. She’s crouched, her arm extended above her as she smiles so damn wide at the camera, those blue eyes beaming beneath the summer sun. The custom pink-and-blue skateboard beneath her sneakers brings me more joy than I imagined it could.
