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“Are you in love with Audrey?” Jade’s eyes widen in surprise, her eyes swimming with hope as she stares back at me.
This is a question that I’ve been asking myself for weeks, wondering if it is possible to be in love with someone I’ve only known for a little over a month. I’ve yet to come up with an a response. The connection between the two of us is soul-deep, as if we complete each other in a way that no one else could. However, it’s not the same as the love I will always have for Lydia. I know deep down that Lydia was one of the greatest loves of my life. Until recently, if anyone asked me if I believed inhaving more than one true love in my life, I’d have laughed in their face. But now that I’ve met Audrey, I know we’re meant to be together. The universe sent Audrey to us, not as a replacement for Lydia, but to fill the gaping hole in our lives that was created after Lydia passed.
“I may be, Squirt. Only time will tell.” I plant a kiss on the top of her head as she squeals loudly.
“I knew it. I knew it.” She jumps up and down in place, clapping her hands. “I always wanted to have a sister, but Love and I also want a brother.”
“Hold on, Jade. Aren’t you getting a little ahead of yourself?”
“Nope. I’m not saying we want one right now, but if you could have a baby before we graduate high school and go away to college, that would be appreciated.”
“I barely convinced Audrey to go on a date. It only worked because I used you and Love as a buffer. It's going to be a long time before we even broach the subject of babies.”
“Dad! Everything is going to be perfect. Just trust me!” She groans as she takes the stack of plates and heads toward the dining room. “I got things covered down here. Go upstairs and shower.”
“Thanks, Squirt,” I reply before turning on my heels and heading for the stairs.
“I got your back, Dad!” Jade shouts from the dining room.
I rush up the stairs and strip naked before jumpingin the shower. As I lather up my body with soap, thoughts of Audrey fill my mind. I wonder if she’s as nervous as I am and if she’s been avoiding me for this very reason.
I haven’t been shy about letting Audrey know how I feel about her, but something is holding her back from taking that next step with me, and I’m sure I know what it is. She told me she’s been hurt in the past, but it has to go deeper than that. Love’s dad has never been in the picture, so the idea she’s still in love with him after almost fifteen years isn’t out of the question, but wouldn’t she be upfront about that? It seems her ex, Ian, may have hurt her deeper than I thought. Since she agreed to our sort-of date, I’m hoping she’s ready to open up to me, even if it’s only a little.
“I need to be patient. Take things slowly. If it’s meant to be, it will be,” I say, taking a deep breath before rinsing off and jumping out of the shower. Instead of drying off, I wrap a towel around my waist and head into my closet in search of some clothes.
I have no idea what I should wear on a date, especially one where my teenage daughter will also be present. I don’t own anything fancy. I’m a jeans and flannel shirt kind of guy and wear the same things almost every day. But tonight is special.
I hear a soft knock on my bedroom door. “Need some help?” Jade’s voice filters through the door.
“Help would be nice, but let me put on some pants first.” I grab the first pair of boxers I find, pulling them onalong with a pair of basic blue jeans before heading for my bedroom door.
I pull open the door and find Jade holding a hanger on the edge of her finger. A black T-shirt is hanging beneath a dark blue-and-gray button-up over the top of it.
“Where did you get that?”
“Uncle Vance. He just dropped it off. He figured you’d have a hard time finding something nice to wear.”
I grab the hanger from her and head back into the closet, closing the door. I immediately pull off my jeans and replace them with a pair of dark-wash jeans, before pulling the black T-shirt over my head and sliding my arms into the button-up shirt. I roll the sleeves up to my elbows to ensure I don’t get too warm while we have dinner and then grab a pair of socks. I debate for a few moments about shoes before deciding against them, and then I open the door and step out.
I find Jade seated on the edge of my bed, her phone stuck in front of her face and her fingers flying across the screen. “Should I shave?”
“No way. Chicks dig the scruffy mountain man look.” Jade smiles before typing out one final text and shoving her cell phone into her back pocket.
“What if Audrey doesn’t?”
“She does. Trust me.” Jade pushes off the bed and heads toward the door. “Well, they should be here soon, and Uncle Vance is waiting downstairs.”
“What are you up to, Squirt?”
“I’m giving you the quiet dinner with Audrey you wanted. Uncle Vance is going to take Love and me to the movies, and then we’re going to have a sleepover.”
“A sleepover, huh? Did either of you ask Audrey before concocting this plan? She agreed to Love sleeping over here. Not your uncle’s house.”
“Asking Audrey wasn’t my job, Dad. I came up with a plan. Love is on her own on how to ensure things with her mom go off without a hitch.”
“Whatever you say.” I chuckle, pulling her to my side for a hug. “Thanks for the backup, Squirt.”
“No problem.” She smiles before running down the stairs and directly into her uncle’s arms.
