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We made dinner while Brendan finished his nap. And sitting at the kitchen table with the two of them felt so goddamn right I almost found it hard to breathe at the realization that this was what I had been missing for years.
“I think when you get back from Asheville, you should bring some stuff over for yourself and Brendan to leave here.” The thought escaped my mouth before I could stop it, but I didn’t regret it. It was what I wanted, and hopefully what she did too.
Her mouth fell open before she bit her lip. “Yeah, I’d like that,” she said with a smile.
Chapter Twenty-One
Bella
I couldn’t believehim, and I was so freaking pissed. I just wanted to pack my stuff and go home. My dad always seemed to have a negative opinion when it came to Rhett and his family. But what the hell was his problem now? He should have been thrilled about all they had done for Brendan and me. Yet he was always just this side of snappy about it.
Brendan splashed me with some of his bath water as he played with his toy boat, drawing my attention back to him. He’d enjoyed the zoo and was still babbling on about all the animals we’d seen.
My dad walked into the bathroom and leaned against the vanity. “Bella bug, I’m sorry for upsetting you earlier.” Allen grabbed the back of his neck and stared at the floor. I could tell this wasn’t easy for my dad. “I’m just scared you’re going to get hurt again.”
“I was looking forward to today…” I began, but his hand came up, stopping me.
“Me too. I didn’t mean to ruin it. I wanted to spend time with you and Brendan, and I wanted you to get to know Leilani more,” he said, referring to his girlfriend.
“Dad, today was great. And I think Leilani is wonderful. I’m glad you found someone who makes you happy. I just expect the same thing in return.”
Allen sighed. “Fair enough. I want you to be happy. I just don’t want to see you get your heart broken again.”
“Maybe this is all my fault.” I paused, trying to find the words to explain. “I might not have been completely honest about how everything went down that summer.” Even as I uttered those words, I knew how true they were. But why couldn’t he just be supportive?
His eyebrows raised, and he chuckled. “You know I was married for almost twenty years, right? I understand it takes two to make a relationship work. I’m well aware you probably played some part in what happened. But he’s the one who walked away.”
I blinked as his words settled over me. He wasn’t wrong, but things were different. Not that he would have understood, though. And besides, he’d left me once too.
“I think Brendan might be ready to get out.” He nodded toward the bathtub where Brendan had just pulled the drain. “I’ll let you get back to him. Can I read him his bedtime stories once you have him ready?”
“Sure.”
After my dad read him five books, I finally got Brendan down to bed. Once in my room, I opened my texts from Rhett and read his responses to the pictures I’d sent earlier.
Rhett:He’s too cute!
Rhett:I wish I was there with you guys. Maybe we can do this as a day trip soon.
Rhett:Counting down the minutes until Thursday when you guys come home. Oh jeez, I sound like a sap now. Lol.
Rhett:Want to have phone sex? There, that sounds better, right?
I rolled my eyes and bit the inside of my cheek to stop from laughing out loud. I called him instead of replying.
“Hey, gorgeous,” he said when he picked up.
“Hi.” I put my earbud in so I could braid my long hair, still wet from my shower. A sigh escaped my lips.
“You okay?”
“My dad just upset me earlier. It’s not a big deal. You know how he is.” Even though we’d talked, I was still unsettled by the whole thing. I twisted the hair tie around the end of my braid.
“Obviously, it’s more than that. I can hear it in your voice. Bella, talk to me.”
I chewed on my lip as I was met with silence on the other end of the phone. I wasn’t sure if I should tell him exactly what my dad had said. I was afraid it might upset him.
“He doesn’t seem to like the idea of you and me together… again. Or whatever.”
