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“So, my father who’d just met you for the first time, willingly told you all this?”
“Mmm hmm.”
“Why do I feel like you’re lying?”
Our eyes connected.
“Why would I lie?”
“You tell me.”
“I am telling you. Why is it so hard for you to believe that your father loves you?”
“I don’t know, Mary Poppins, maybe cuz I haven’t seen him since my mom—”
“There you are,” Skyler interrupted. “Jackson, you’re going to be late for school. You gotta go.”
I backed away, nodding. Grabbing my backpack off the floor, I walked out of the room, taking the truth of where my mother was…
With me.
23
HARLEY
Then: Twelve years old
“Baby girl, you look beautiful,” Daddy complimented me when I strolled into the livin’ room. All dolled up for the surprise anniversary party we were attendin’. He was standin’ in the entryway with his hands in his pockets, wearin’ a black suit, lookin’ all handsome.
I twirled around in a circle for him, loving the feelin’ of my dress puffin’ out at the bottom. “Thanks, Daddy. It’s new.”
I was beyond excited for the evenin’ ahead. Momma and Aunt Lily took Shiloh and me shoppin’ for the occasion, spoilin’ us like the princesses we were. We spent the whole day together, doin’ girly things like gettin’ our nails and hair done, talkin’ about all the latest drama, includin’ how much Trigger was botherin’ Shiloh these last few weeks.
With his heated looks and flirty smiles and cocky attitude.
Gossipin’ about Jackson Pierce and his wicked ways, too.
It took five different stores for me to find “the dress”, the one that fit not only my style, but my figure as well. I picked out a knee-length, light blue strapless dress with matchin’ strappy heeled sandals that I never wanted to take off.
Of course, I added my own spin to the flowy material, sewin’ a few bows and sparkles on to make it pop and stand out. I hated blendin’ in with everyone else. I had my own sense of style, and I didn’t keep up with trends.
I was a fashionista through and through, and it only got worse the older I became. One day, I’d have my own online store called Harley’s Closet. Dare to be Different.
I already knew my color scheme and logo for my social media and website. It would be a photo of me and my future furry best friend. I wanted a Wheaten Terrier, but I refused to buy one. I’d have to wait until a similar breed showed up at the shelter I still volunteered at.
Always rescue first.
“Wow, Harley. You’re gettin’ so big. Where did my baby girl go?”
My smile lit up my entire face. “I’ll always be your baby girl, Daddy.”
“I’m gonna hold you to that, sweetheart.”
This was the first time he was seein’ my dress, and to be honest, I was a little worried he’d think it was too revealin’.
It wasn’t.
This was the man who thought my knee-length shorts and skirts were always too revealin’. I assumed Momma was behind his change of heart. She knew how excited I was to be wearin’ somethin’ more young adult and not childish. I was growin’ up, and he needed to accept that.
