C.A. Harms - Dare to Dream (Carolina Beach #1) -

Table of Contents Dare to Dream Copyright Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28

Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Epilogue Bonus Chapter Acknowledgements About the Author





Copyright © 2017 by CA Harms All rights reserved Published by CA Harms Dare To Dream is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are all products of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Except as permitted under the US Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author. Formatting by CP Smith





The greatest wonderful feeling is falling in love. —Lailah Gifty Akita

Prologue

When a girl is young, she dreams of being grown up. She imagines what her life will be like, and in those visions, it all seems so perfect. So magical. No heartache, no sadness. The perfect husband, the perfect children, surrounded by nothing but laughter and smiles. At least I know I dreamed of those things. I dreamed often of living in a big house with a fancy wraparound porch. I would sit there each evening with a tall glass of the sweetest tea and sway on the swing my husband would hang just for me. My children’s happy chatter would filter through the open window behind me, reminding me of the beauty my husband and I created together. But all those dreams were now lost somewhere in the back of my mind. They were only fantasies I knew I would never obtain. Not when I continued to settle for chasing after a guy who was nothing but heartbreak wrapped in a handsome package. Tucker Billings. His name alone made my heart race. Maybe it was boredom, or lack of choices, but when I was younger and dreamed of my future, I believed Tucker would share those dreams with me. But I never really took the time to look at who he truly was, instead of who I wanted him to be. Tucker was a lifelong bachelor who thrived on the attention of any woman willing to offer it. And I was dumb enough to be one of them. I’d known him my entire life because my mother and father were his godparents. Our families were always together, so he was always there, even when I didn’t want him to be. When I tried to walk away from him, he would do or say something that made me come running back to his side. He had sweet, boyish charm and pretty-boy good looks, blue eyes, and blond, shaggy hair. He was almost the surfer-boy type. Most girls would dream of hair like his, perfectly flawless. He was tall and had a deep, raspy voice that was the perfect combination of a good, sweet boy with touch of bad boy too. But his smile was what got me every single time. It could melt the hearts of all women and apparently their panties too. Well, all panties but mine. Tucker and I had never been together like that. Passionate, deep love wasn’t what kept me near him, but a loyalty to our friendship. Some girls have a friend they run to whenever they needed to vent or cry, and Tucker was that person for me. He had been for as long as I could remember. And those feeling eventually turned to more, for me anyway. But then one day out of the blue, he showed up at my house and said all the right things, and somehow I fell for them hook, line, and sinker. He convinced me that he was done sleeping around and was ready to grow up and settle down with me. And I believed him. Because I wanted to have that happily ever after I dreamed of as a little girl. I was a fool.

Chapter 1

In one moment everything can change. Your life can crumble while you’re powerless to stop it, and all you can do is hope that somehow in the end your heart will survive the devastation. Greer Whenever I felt overwhelmed, I would simply close my eyes and just breathe for a moment; take the time I needed to relax and do my best to calm my mind and work through my feelings. Deep breath in, count to five, and slowly release. Repeat. On most occasions it worked, but this was one of those times when no amount of focus or breathing would take away the ache inside me. No amount of pleading could fix what had happened In one phone call, my whole world had come crashing to a stop, and I was powerless to do anything about it. “I need you, Greer. It’s your father.” Those words rang through my head over and over as I ran from my apartment and toward my car, feeling as if I were drowning. “Please,” my mother pleaded as I sped toward the hospital, mindlessly taking each turn. She sobbed and wailed as if her life had come to an abrupt end, and in a way it had. “He’s gone, Greer,” she cried through my Bluetooth. “Oh my God, he’s gone.” The pain of those words echoing from the speakers in my car resembled what I imagined being stabbed in the heart would feel like. Pain seared through me as I drove toward the hospital. Though her words continued to ring in my mind, the reality of them had yet to sink in. I parked in the nearest available space and rushed from my car toward the hospital entrance, leaving behind my phone and my keys. I didn’t even take the time to end the call first. I ran through the emergency room doors in search of my mother, desperate to find her. Desperate for her to tell me I had misunderstood her. My heart raced and my throat burned from the rush of fear and dread. On the inside I wanted to crash to the ground and cry like the little girl inside me was begging to do. The little girl who remembered all the times her father had held her close and promised to always protect her from the demons in the world; all the times he vowed never to allow a man to hurt his little angel in any way. I wanted him to wash away this ache inside me, only he couldn’t. He never could again. My daddy, my hero, was gone. He had always been my image of what a perfect husband should be. All my life, he treated my mother and me with deep respect and showered us with love, never once letting a day go by without letting us

know we were the center of his world. Losing him would shatter us both. “Greer.” I turned quickly at the sound of my name and came face-to-face with my mother. Her vibrant, beautiful face was ashen from heartache. “Mom,” I whispered. My chest burned so badly I felt as if I could barely breathe. “No.” I wished this was all just some horrific nightmare and that I’d wake up to find my father alive and well in the room behind her, giving the doctors hell. But I knew that wasn’t the case. I could see it in her eyes and in the devastation that poured from her in waves. We stood staring at one another as tears rolled along our cheeks, feeling so hopeless and lost. Neither of us knew what to say. We both knew nothing could ever heal this pain. Where would we go from here? What would we do? *** I don’t know how long I stood in that hallway as my mother and I cried. I just knew it was well after dark when I finally left. The whole time I was there felt like an out-of-body experience. I couldn’t even remember turning around to leave. I don’t remember what the doctor said, or what my mother and I said in return. I do, however, remember refusing my aunt’s offer for a ride home. I’d insisted I’d be okay, even though I was far from that. I was broken with sadness, but I needed to get away. I needed to fall apart without someone attempting to console me, and my aunt had her hands full with my mother for the time being. I’d be okay. I had to be. But once I was safely tucked inside my car, I gave in to the devastation and cried harder than I’d ever cried before. “Oh my God no,” I screamed, and begged for it all to be a dream, even though I knew it wasn’t. I raged at God or whoever the hell was listening for taking such an amazing man from those who needed him. My father was healthy, strong, and active. Not a man anyone would picture having a massive heart attack. But life was so cruel and unpredictable sometimes, and we had absolutely no choice but to accept the hand we’d been dealt and move on. I just wasn’t sure how I could do that. Once the denial and anger had subsided, the numbness kicked in. On instinct I attempted to call Tucker, but the call went straight to his voice mail. This only made my anger return with a vengeance. I needed him, yet he wasn’t there. I mindlessly left the parking lot and drove to his house. The smell of antiseptic and sickness still lingered on my clothes. My ears were still filled with the sounds of mindless chatter from people that hadn’t been told the one man they thought they could always turn to hadn’t just been robbed of a long, happy life. I pulled up to the curb and placed my car in park as I looked at Tucker’s front door. By some miracle I

had made it here safely, since I barely remembered the ride across the city. I should have been concerned about that, but at this point I found it hard to care. I got lost in the memories of my father again. I could almost hear his deep, raspy laughter, and I closed my eyes tight, doing all I could to hold on to that memory. I wanted to keep it safe and always remember just how his happiness with life had made me feel growing up. I was terrified of one day losing the memory of his smile.

Chapter 2

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed. It could have been minutes, but it felt like hours. Drying my tears, I finally did my best to pull myself together. Suddenly the only thing I wanted was for Tucker to hold me. And in that moment, I realized my connection to him was more for comfort than that hungry need I imagined one would feel toward a man who was supposed to be her boyfriend. I no longer cared that he had once again managed to isolate himself when I needed him most. I just needed him to hold me and somehow convince me that I would make it through this. I needed to be supported and forced to face the loss of my father. I needed Tucker to tell me that no matter what, he would be right by my side. This wasn’t about intimacy, because he and I had only been together for a few weeks and had yet to share that. This was a girl simply needing her best friend. I forced my feet to move, though I still felt as if I were floating through the movements with no recollection of each step I took. The red car next to Tucker’s truck in the driveway should have been all the proof I needed that he had company I wouldn’t approve of. I recognized the car. I’d seen it here often prior to my relationship with Tucker becoming more than just a friendship. But I moved forward, forcing myself to face yet another painful part of this day of hell. The urge to hurl the pot next to Tucker’s front door through the windshield of that pretty, little red car was almost impossible to resist. Instead, I lifted it and retrieved the key hidden under it, something I’d done often throughout my many visits to his house. I knew exactly what I would find inside, but I no longer cared. It was strange, but I felt as if I needed something to focus on other than my father’s death. That need drove me not to run from the truth I knew I was about to find, but instead face it. I was done running. I was done living in the dark and in false hope. And right now I needed to feel something more than grief about my father, even if it was just more pain. I forced myself to turn the key in the lock, twist the handle, and carefully push against the door. As it slowly creeped open, I found that the living room was dark, but the hallway light lit the way to Tucker’s bedroom. My heart thumped so hard in my chest that blood whooshed through my ears. One step at a time, I moved toward the bedroom as I fisted the key tightly. I knew it was weird, but I needed to feel the pain of the metal digging into my palm. That feeling kept me moving forward, forcing me to face what was behind the bedroom door. The squeaking of bedsprings and panting breaths didn’t even faze me. I found an inner strength I didn’t know I had and placed my other palm against the door before slowly pushing it open. I should have screamed or thrown something at the two of them, but I remained in the same spot, staring ahead blankly at the two bodies intertwining and the long, brown hair flowing down the girl’s back as she

moved above the man below her. The same man that only weeks ago had told me he was ready to settle down and give me the life I deserved. The same man that had spent each day since reassuring me that he meant every single word. I had known this man my whole life and was stupid enough to believe he could be something more for me than a friend, even though I had never in all those years seen him offer any other woman more than just a wild night. I should have been saddened by his betrayal, but in a way I felt relieved. Tucker was never going to be the man I needed him to be. He wasn’t built that way, and I think I knew that all along but refused to accept it. I was more saddened by the loss of the friendship I knew we would no longer be able to share than the loss of the possibility of being lovers. We were never lovers. “Greer.” His gruff voice was laced with shock, yet I remained frozen. I was still amazed that for once I no longer cared if he shared the feelings I’d believed I had for him for years. “Damn it.” His irritated curse echoed through the room. I saw quick movements in my peripheral vision, but I still didn’t move. “Babe, I can explain.” I looked up just in time to see Tucker rushing toward me. He stepped in front of me, blocking my view of the bed, and for the first time since arriving, I could see him clearly. He’d covered his front with a sheet, his hair was sticking out in every direction, and his face was flushed. “I just—” He looked behind him at the woman still in his bed. “Fuck,” he mumbled, gripping the back of his neck in frustration. “My father died today,” I whispered before I could stop the words. My vision blurred from the tears that pooled from saying it aloud. He quickly faced me once again, and a look of shock and sadness filled his features. “A heart attack,” I whispered before he could ask me how. Tucker reached out to pull me in for a hug, but I pressed my hands against his chest and pushed him away in my first sign of anger since entering his house. “I was at the hospital all day. I wasn’t even able to say good-bye to him, and meanwhile you were here screwing her.” I pointed over his shoulder. “I was falling apart, and instead of answering your phone, you were here doing what you always do. Thinking of only yourself.” “Please listen to me,” he pleaded as he once again attempted to move in closer. “No,” I interrupted, “you listen to me. Don’t call me, don’t come over. Don’t offer me your sad words and condolences because I don’t want them. I don’t need them. Because nothing you say means a damn thing. Just stay away from me.” His shoulders sagged, but I felt nothing for this man anymore. I was done with the games. I was done with his lies. I wished I could go back in time to three weeks ago and tell him no when he insisted we were meant to be together. His lame attempts at pretending I was enough for him when he’d take me to dinner or the movies had all been just a game. I should have been angry at the woman who still lay in his bed, but I only felt sorry for her. I knew she actually believed Tucker had chosen her when he had only picked her to fill time until he found his next conquest. She was nothing special, and somehow beneath all my grief and heartache, I found that sad. The man before me was nothing more than a heartless bastard who used women, and I refused to waste any further time hoping for more from him. “Because at this point, Tucker, I don’t think we can even be friends anymore.” I backed away. “I don’t

want anything from you.” I turned and walked to the front door as fast as my legs could carry me. “Greer,” he called out, “I loved him too.” My chest ached at his words because I knew they were true, but I refused to look back. Whatever Tucker and I had once had was all over. As I left the house, I felt as though another part of my world had just crashed to my feet in flames.

Chapter 3

I nodded at each person that stepped up to my father’s casket and accepted their hugs and kind words. I did my best to show my appreciation for them showing up to offer their condolences, but inside I was screaming for an escape, for a safe place where I didn’t have to pretend I’d be okay. I needed to get lost in my misery. “Greer.” My body tensed at the sound of Tucker’s voice. I couldn’t do this, not here, not with a roomful of people watching. I saw Tucker in a different light now, one that only enhanced the ugliness I now understood lay inside him. Instead of looking appealing, he seemed ridiculous to me now. A man that spent as much time and effort fixing his hair and primping as Tucker did was a man that needed to be dragged through the mud— literally. A real long-ass stretch of mud to teach him how to be a real man. The only desire I felt for him now was one to get as far away from him as I possibly could. I gave him a look that I hoped displayed the disgust I felt for him, only he didn’t back down. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “For what?” I snapped. “For my loss, or the fact you turned out to be a lying, cheating ass?” He flinched and I heard a surprised gasp at my side, but I refused to acknowledge it. “I understand that you loved my father. And showing up to express your sympathies is understandable,” I said, trying to keep my voice low. “But you and I have absolutely nothing left to say to one another. Because no amount of apologies will ever erase what you did. Loving my father also meant loving his daughter, not treating her like a fool. You chose to take things between us to a different level, then you couldn’t even refrain for one month before jumping into bed with one of your whores. So save your condolences, because I don’t want them.” I thought he would say more, and I could tell he wanted to, but he only nodded as he moved past me with his head hung in defeat. I took in a deep breath and did my best to slow my racing heart. The effort it took to remain standing beside my mother and the man that lay in the darkened casket at my side was almost unbearable. All I wanted to do was run so far away that no one would ever be able to find me; to a place where I could grieve until I had no more tears left to shed. One day I felt as if I had everything, and the next day it was all gone, leaving me empty and desolate. I had never in my twenty-five years of life felt so much pain as I did now. I was falling apart at the seams, and there was absolutely nothing that could hold me together. *** As days faded into weeks, I knew my father would be saddened by my current state. I’d allowed myself to fall into the vacant, gray area of grief where nothing meant anything to me. I had no particular goals and didn’t even care if I got up in the morning. I no longer even took the time to take care of myself. On most

days I looked as if I had just rolled out of bed and slipped on a pair of shoes before leaving for work. Not that I really had to worry about my appearance for a customer service job in a call center, but my coworkers were beginning to look at me as if I was a homeless person. I spent little time socializing, and most people just left me alone. If I had to guess, I’d say they did it because they feared being the victim of my temper, which had an incredibly short fuse lately. I knew I was a ticking time bomb, but I didn’t care. I didn’t care about anything anymore. “Greer.” I didn’t even turn over in bed to look toward the door when my aunt whispered my name. I didn’t want to suffer through another heartfelt conversation where she insisted things would someday be better. It was a lie. Things would never be better. “Honey, I know you’re awake,” she added. Aunt Stella was a pushy little thing, all four feet, eleven inches of her. She may look tiny and harmless, but she had a fire inside her that surprised most people. She was a lot like her brother, my father, in that way. When they were growing up, he wasn’t just her savior, but her best friend. I knew she was grieving too, but she refused to let my mother or me fall into the depths of the darkness his death had wrought upon us all. “You don’t have to look at me, but you need to hear me.” The bed dipped behind me as she sat on the edge, and I stiffened when her hand rested on my hip. “Sweetheart, I know right now that nothing feels like it will get better. Your father was an amazing man, and there is nothing fair about him being taken from us all. But I have to believe he would want more for us than to sit in the dark and grieve day after day.” I squeezed my eyes shut to keep the tears building there from falling. “I remember the day you were born.” Her voice was shaky, and I knew she was fighting her emotions back too. “Steven was so proud, so heart-struck by his beautiful daughter. The tears of joy that fell from his eyes that day were some of the very few I ever saw him shed. And I will never forget what he said as he looked at your mother.” She paused, and I already knew what was coming, because I had heard this story often. I knew hearing it again now would gut me. “‘This was my purpose, the true reason I was given life. It was to meet you and create this perfect little angel,’” she said, and I could no longer hold back the tears no matter how hard I tried. “I think it’s time you begin to heal, Greer,” she whispered as she rubbed my back. Silence set over the room as I cried while the memories swarmed in my head. All the laughter and happiness I’d shared with my father rushed through me; all the silly times he set aside being an adult, just for a moment, so he could be a kid with me. I truly was a lucky girl to even be granted the short time I had with him. He was the gift, not me. He was the greatest, kindest man I’d ever known. “I talked to Uncle Mark, and I think I’m gonna take your mother back to Vermont with us.” I knew she’d ask me to join them, but I’d have to refuse. Going to Vermont meant being surrounded by people who would want to dote on me and continue to offer their soothing words. I just couldn’t take that, not yet. “His parents have a place in Carolina Beach, and we’d like to offer it to you to use as a getaway.”

I turned to look at her then, shocked at her offer. “What?” “It’s vacant, more of a vacation home they rent out when they aren’t using it, really, but it’s beautiful. Fully furnished, within walking distance of the beach and the marina.” She brushed my hair aside and offered a smile. “It’s an escape, a place for you to go and find yourself again.” I was lost, and I think I had been even prior to losing my father, and his death had made me face that reality. “It’s a great neighborhood, full of not only vacationers but locals too. I’ve been there a few times, Greer, and you’ll love it,” she assured me. “I can’t just leave,” I told her. “I have responsibilities and a job.” “Sweetheart, you hate your job.” She tilted her head to the side and smiled wider, daring me to argue. “You have the means to walk away and take some time to find yourself. It’s yours for a month, longer if you need it.” She was right. Just recently I’d found that my father made sure my mother and I would be taken care of if anything should ever happen to him. Though of course I would have gladly given back the money if I could have him here with us instead, I was thankful for it. That was just the kind of man he was. But could I do this? Could I pack up and leave everything behind in search of the person I know was inside of me? The person who had been hidden for so long? I looked at my hand when she pressed something into my palm. It was a key. “Your mother and I plan to leave this weekend, and I hope you’ll be ready to leave then too. Take this opportunity, sweetheart. Please, you need it. And we both know I’m right when I say your father would want so much more for you than being this lost girl I see before me.” Tears pooled in her eyes as she leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my cheek. Without another word, she rose from the bed and left the room without looking back, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Chapter 4

“I want you to take all the time you need,” my mother whispered as she held me close. “Don’t worry about me, or anything else for that matter, and focus on you.” The strength of her embrace surprised me. Her ability to remain strong in light of her current loss gave me the hope that I, too, would be able to find my own way. I always knew my mother was the glue that held our family together. I guess I was wrong to think that after losing my father, we would both fall apart. Her strength was inspiring. “I love you, Greer, and I’m gonna miss you,” she said, still holding me tight. “But you need this escape, and I need one too. Let’s find our way. It’s what your father would have wanted for us.” Every time she mentioned him, I struggled to hold back the tears. I guess I was still trying to accept that he truly was gone. It seemed so unreal. All I could do was nod, fearing I would break all over again if I attempted to speak. I stepped back from her hold and offered her a smile. She and my aunt stood side by side as I looked back over my shoulder toward the airport entrance. This was it, the start of my search to find myself and to move away from the dark path I’d found myself on. I only hoped it led me in the right direction. *** The flight from St. Louis to Myrtle Beach was long, and the two stops and layovers made it even longer. When we landed, I was happy to once again have my feet on the ground, but being stuck at the car rental counter was weighing heavily on my patience. I still had ninety miles to drive before I reached the beach house. I just wanted a long, hot shower and a comfy bed, so now was not the time to get trapped behind a man that I swear was asking every possible question known to man. The poor kid behind the counter looked as if he was barely holding on to his own patience. I think we both sighed in relief when the guy finally signed the rental agreement and took the keys. “I’m so sorry about the delay,” the clerk said with a forced smile as I stepped up. “How can I help you?” I fought the urge to laugh. “You can take a moment to finally breathe through the irritation, because I wanted to throat-punch the guy too.” The clerk’s shoulders sagged in relief as he realized he didn’t have another unpleasable customer before him. “Thanks.” He shook his head with a laugh. “It’s times like these I wish I would have taken my father up on his offer to work for him.” “Oh yeah?” I said with interest. “Why would you work in a car rental department at an airport instead of working for your father anyway?” He arched a brow, leaned in a little closer, and wrinkled up his nose. “My dad owns Port-a-Cycle.”

“Porta-a-what?” I asked, in confusion “Portable potties.” He shivered in disgust. “I’d say the occasional annoying-as-hell customer is much better than transporting and cleaning up other people’s crap for a living.” I pressed my lips tightly together and hoped I could contain the laughter bubbling up inside of me, but with the way he was still looking at me with wide eyes and a wrinkled-up nose, well, it was just impossible. “Go ahead and laugh it up,” he insisted, and I did. I’m sure I looked like a deranged lunatic, but this was the first time I’d laughed in days, and it felt wonderful. “I’m sorry,” I tried to apologize through tears that were in no way related to my recent sadness. “I don’t mean to laugh, really I don’t.” “It’s the same reaction I get each time I share the story, so no offense, really. Humor is a good look on you.” He couldn’t have been much over twenty and had a chubby, childlike face, but the compliment felt just as amazing as the laughter had. “Thank you, William,” I said, taking a moment to finally read his name tag. “I haven’t laughed in days, and it felt great, so I should be thanking you.” *** Arriving in Carolina Beach, I took in the gentle breeze through the open windows of my rental car. It was refreshing to be away from the city that smelled of exhaust and the jumble of odors from all the restaurants that lined the streets. I slowed the Nissan Sentra as I turned onto Birmingham Avenue and carefully looked over each house for the number on the directions my aunt had written out for me. Pulling into the driveway of the quaint home that was built above a two-stall garage, I took in the wrap-around porch and the double red door. In my opinion the blue siding clashed with the other homes surrounding it, but it also made the house unique. I placed the car in Park and took a moment to look around at the area and the neighboring homes. The sun was setting and soft light glowed from nearby windows. The street was peaceful, with no horns blaring or people yelling for their children to come inside. And for the first time since I left home, I believed what my aunt had said: this could be my place of peace, where I finally found out who I was. I gathered my bag and began the climb toward the front door. As I walked up, the view only became more beautiful. The soft breeze grew, the clean smell of the ocean filled my lungs, and I took in a deep breath of it. I bypassed the door and began circling the porch, which seemed to go around the home’s entire perimeter. White wicker furniture sat in the open space on the back patio. It was the kind of furniture I’d always pictured when I thought of a beach home. Something about it had summer and sun written all over it. A screened-in area just off the back of the house with a table and four chairs created the perfect setting for outdoor dining. I could see myself falling completely in love with this place. I heard the sound of a small child’s laughter and walked to the edge of the deck to peek over the railing. I found myself smiling at the scene before me. The setting sun cast a soft glow over the trees, highlighting the property that sat behind mine. Our backyards butted up against one another, giving each yard a full view of the back of the house in front of it. I watched as a tall man in the yard held a small girl high in the air, dipping her from side to side as she spread her arms out to her sides and kicked her legs in

excitement. A second girl danced and twirled in circles beside him, mimicking his movements. It was so sweet, and it reminded me of times I’d shared with my own father. I stood in the growing shadows relishing in the happiness they obviously shared. It was beautiful.

Chapter 5

Darren “More, Daddy,” Violet squealed as I continued to dance around my backyard with Vivian at our side. “More,” she laughed. And I gave her more. I would give either of my girls anything they wanted if it meant being blessed with their smiles. One thing I learned from Lynn’s death was to never waste time on the things I couldn’t change, but to focus on making happy memories that would last a lifetime and banish the sad times. I wanted my girls to have so much happiness in their lives that they would focus less on the loss of their mother and instead remember what little time they did have with her. I won’t lie and say there weren’t rough times after Lynn passed, because there were. There were times when I blamed everyone in my path for the loss I felt, and times when I crumpled and those around me feared I couldn’t take care of the two daughters Lynn and I shared. My girls and I lost her shortly after Violet was born, and it shocked everyone who knew us. One moment she was driving down the street, and the next she was gone. The aneurism took her fast and left everyone devastated, but eventually I picked myself up and made a promise to the memory of my wife. After saying words of anger and grief, I stood in my backyard looking up at the empty sky and swore I would love and protect our daughters. I vowed they would be happy and healthy no matter what it took from me. Now here I was, drowning in glitter and lace, but I smiled and laughed alongside them because I wouldn’t change it for anything. They were my girls, and I had no problem sitting back and allowing my sweet angels to paint my toenails. I didn’t give two shits about the strange looks I received when flashing my pink toes on the beach. I wore it proudly. I lowered Violet to the ground and bent over, taking a moment to catch my breath. Being a single father at the age of twenty-nine to two girls under four was exhausting. “My turn,” Vivian insisted, and I chuckled. I knew I wouldn’t get away with not giving her a ride of her own. She wouldn’t allow it to happen; she never did. I gripped her waist and tossed her up over my shoulder, and she giggled as she grabbed the back of my shirt. Spinning in circles, I felt myself get dizzy and stopped before we both toppled over. Lowering her back to the ground, I refused to let go of her completely as she tried to regain her balance. Violet laughed, calling her sister silly. I loved seeing the two of them like this. The love they shared for each other was amazing, and I imagined them being the best of friends as they grew older. They were my joy and my sole reason for surviving and for working as hard as I did. I owned my own construction business, which gave me the freedom I needed to spend as much time as possible with my

daughters. I worked my ass off to build a reputable name for my business, and I would continue to do so, ensuring my girls would have everything they needed in life and more. My own needs and desires were the least of my worries. Vivian and Violet would always come first. I saw movement on the deck of the house behind ours and looked up to see a young woman hidden partially by the darkness. The property was usually vacant, except when random vacationers occupied it from time to time, so I assumed she had decided to rent it out for a week or two. She must have sensed me watching, because she quickly backed away into the darkness before disappearing around the side of the house. *** I woke as sunlight streamed in through the solid glass wall of my bedroom. I truly loved sunrises and sunsets and had passed that love on to my girls, who enjoyed sharing them with me. Their bedrooms, like mine, had wide windows that welcomed the morning sun daily. I stretched my arms up before placing them beneath my head as I continued to watch it rise higher and higher, soaking in the energy of its rays. I remained in this position until I heard the cheerful giggles of my girls as they moved toward my bedroom. It was our morning ritual. They would climb into my bed, one on each side, and snuggle in close. We would talk about our dreams from the night before, and their imaginations would then run wild with the ideas those dreams had kick-started in their young minds. It was by far my favorite way to start the day. “Can we have waffles?” Vivian asked out of the blue, making me smile. She was my little Betty Homemaker. She was barely four years old, but hand the girl a cleaning rag and a broom and she went crazy. Making breakfast was her own form of heaven. She was just like her mother that way. Violet on the other hand was a mirror image of myself. She loved her naps, and her idea of the best day ever was lounging around in her pajamas all day while watching cartoons. I was amazed how the two of them could be so different, yet so much alike in other ways. “Sure we can,” I told her, causing her to leap from the bed and sprint to the kitchen. Violet and I took a little longer to crawl out of bed, but eventually we joined Viv. She already had the waffle maker out on the counter along with eggs, milk, and waffle mix and was impatiently tapping her foot, waiting. I chuckled, shaking my head. Like I said, she was just like her mother, attitude and all.

Chapter 6

Greer “Do you have everything you need?” my mother asked for the third time in the last ten minutes. I’d woken to the ring of my cellphone just after eight in the morning. I had fully intended to sleep in and recover from my day of travel, but she thought I should get up and see the area. Apparently she had found her inner tourist and had already been out and about, scoping out the little town my gran lived in. “If not, I can have Uncle Mark get in touch with the—” “I’ve got it covered, Mom.” I couldn’t help but smile at the fact she still worried about her twentyfive-year-old daughter as if she was an adolescent. “I’m capable of going to the market if I need something. I don’t want Uncle Mark calling in the crew to grocery shop for me.” I’d already been told all about the locals that were on standby at the request of my aunt and uncle to run to my aid if need be. From the sound of it, I could pretty much get half the street’s attention if I just stepped outside and waved. I still wasn’t exactly sure how I felt about that. “If you’re sure,” she said, still sounding unsatisfied with my need to handle things on my own. “I am,” I said once more. “Besides, I planned on exploring the area, and I can stop by the market on my way back. I want to check out the beach anyway.” Total lie—well, partly. I did want to go to the beach and put my feet in the sand, just not today. Or maybe not even tomorrow. I wanted to be a couch potato for a day or two before I set out voyaging. But since I was already up and fully awake, why not start today? It would be a surefire way to get my mother to stop worrying about me wasting away in a dark room filled with nothing but sad thoughts and memories of my father. I think she imagined the worst when she thought of me here alone dealing with my grief, without any support. “That’s perfect,” she said, suddenly sounding much happier. “Make sure to take lots of pictures. The last time I was there, your father and I had just celebrated our first anniversary.” She paused as if remembering it. “I’m sure it’s still just as beautiful.” “It is,” I said, suddenly feeling raw and once again saddened that my father would never share another vacation with my mother. “How’s Vermont?” I asked, hoping to change the subject to something lighter. “Grandma Monroe is as fiery as always, and Uncle Mark sure knows how to get her fired up. Last night she poured a full glass of iced tea in his lap, and you could hear the shriek he let out throughout the entire house. We’re all still laughing about it, and for the rest of the night she carried around a full glass, taunting him as if she was going to do it again. She would lunge at him and then cackle when he shrunk back covering himself.” Hearing my mother laugh warmed my heart. “You’d think by now he’d stop hassling her,” I said, also amused. “Wasn’t he the one she superglued to the chair at the last family reunion because he told her that

her pie tasted like dirt?” “Yes, it was,” she confirmed. “I think that’s why he hassles her so much. Do you know that she put so much glue on that chair that it seeped through his pants, and when they tried to pull him free, it yanked out half his leg hair?” I laughed and placed my hand over my mouth as if there was a reason to hide it. “The words that fell from that man’s mouth that day!” She let out a sigh. “I’ve never heard anyone use the F word so many times in one sentence.” “Oh Mom.” I shook my head, grinning. “I’m glad you’re there with them. It’s good to hear you laugh again.” “Greer.” The way she whispered my name assured me that what she was about to say would make me cry. “We’ll never be able to think about your father without feeling a loss so deep it aches. He is irreplaceable, and my heart will forever be his, no matter the circumstances. I just know in my heart that he would want us to live on and do our best to make the most out of life. We’ll never forget him and he’ll always be a part of our daily lives, even if only in our minds.” I found myself nodding at her words, as if she could see me. They were true, every single one of them. “I want you to find your happiness again,” she whispered. “Whether it be in North Carolina, here in Vermont, or in Southeast Asia.” I laughed at that random geographical addition. “But I think we both know Tucker was not your happiness.” And again with the random. Tucker was the furthest thing from my mind. “Tucker and I were never meant to be together, Mom.” I needed her to understand that he was a thing of the past. I wasn’t suffering from a broken heart. Well, at least not at Tucker’s hands, anyway. “Okay,” she said without pushing or prodding further. “Gran is dragging me and Stella off to a pottery class, so I better get going.” I could hear the humor in her voice. “This should be interesting, Gran in a room with breakable items. Thank goodness Uncle Mark is staying home.” We ended the call on that happy note, and I finally crawled from bed and made my way toward the kitchen. The place was honestly one of the most gorgeous homes I’d ever been in. It was fully furnished and had an open floor plan and the greatest views a house near the beach could offer. With fresh coffee made, I grabbed a muffin from the stash my uncle had had delivered prior to my arrival and walked out the back door to the enclosed porch wearing only a T-shirt that barely covered my boy shorts. I headed right for the window that overlooked the yard of the neighboring houses. It was early on a Saturday morning, so the neighborhood was deserted save for a man in his backyard who was bent over what appeared to be the remains of a gas grill, pulling piece by piece away and tossing them to the side. I wasn’t sure if he was fixing it or destroying it, but I was leaning toward the latter. The same light laughter I’d heard the night before echoed up toward the patio I was perched on, and I turned in its direction. Once again, I became mesmerized by the beauty of what I saw. This time, the two little girls were playing alone as they held hands and skipped around giggling just before falling to the ground, where they laughed even louder. I watched without realizing how much time had passed until I lifted my coffee mug to take a drink and found it had gone cold. “Hi.” I jumped in surprise at the sound of a man’s deep voice, sloshing coffee all over my shirt. The greeting was followed by a deep chuckle.

I looked to the left of the two little girls and found the man from last night looking up at me. He had short, caramel-colored hair and a trim, sculpted beard. “Didn’t mean to scare you. Just thought I’d offer a neighborly hello.” He grinned knowingly, and my cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Hi,” I said in return, trying my best to regain some dignity. The coffee I’d spilled was seeping through the front of my shirt, and a few drops were now slowly trailing down my thigh. I hoped he couldn’t see what a disaster I was from the angle he was standing at. And let’s not forget the fact I was barely covered. I slouched in an attempt to hide my lower half a little more. “Vacationer?” he added, regaining my attention. “Um, yeah,” I said with a shrug. “I guess you could say that. My family owns the place and I’m staying here for a while.” “Darren,” he said, lifting his hand in the air and pointing to himself. “The littlest one is Violet, and this one here,” he said, reaching down to lift up the other blonde girl, who stood at his side, “this is my Vivian.” Pride practically swelled around him in a big wave as he looked back and forth between his girls. It was the sweetest thing. “They’re adorable,” I complimented his princesses. They were, in fact, two of the sweetest children I’d ever seen—big smiles, bright eyes, hair as blonde as my own. “I think so,” he said before kissing Vivian’s cheek. With a jolt, I realized I had yet to introduce myself. “I’m Greer,” I added as I spilled my coffee once again. This time it ran down my arm. I was a hot mess—or a sticky one. However you classified it, mess summed it up. “It was nice meeting you,” he said as he reached his hand out for Violet. She darted toward him and placed her hand in his. “But we’ve gotta go. We’re late for Grandma’s house.” “Nice meting you too,” I said with a gentle wave. “Have fun, Vivian and Violet,” I added as they walked away, both girls waving back at me with curiosity written all over their faces. And suddenly I understood the appeal of a man with his children. Darren had definitely made my stomach do that little rush of awe that I’ve heard about from others, when they see a man show his love for a child. That display of a father’s protective nature made my longing for a family of my own reappear with a vengeance. I wanted to know more about the man from the big yellow house behind me. He had to have a gorgeous wife who hung on his every word and knew just how lucky she was to be blessed with a guy who obviously adored his children. The fact he was easy on the eyes was a definite bonus.

Chapter 7

Darren “So who is the girl?” My mother’s question confused me, and the look on my face must have expressed that confusion. “The one the girls keep talking about,” she added unhelpfully. “Vivian said you were talking to a pretty lady today and she made you smile. The one from the blue house.” I shook my head and chuckled as I finally understood. How could a friendly introduction between two neighbors be interpreted as anything more than it was? Then again, I was dealing with two girls that had their pushy, nosy, need-to-fix-it-all granny fishing for any snippet of my nonexistent personal life. The woman was hell-bent on me being happy, but I was happy. I had my girls, and I didn’t need anyone else. “Just a new occupant in the vacation home behind us,” I said and got back to working on the pipe below her kitchen sink. But she kept hovering. “Oh yeah,” she said dragging out the word a little longer than necessary. “Yeah, Ma,” I said, ignoring her strange interest in nothing. “Just a simple hello, nothing more.” “That isn’t what Vivian told me,” she said, her voice laced with humor. Oh Lord, the woman either needed a damn hobby or she needed to focus on my brother, who was twenty-six and still living above her damn garage. He was the one who needed a push, not me. “Vivian is four years old, and she still believes in princesses and dragons.” I leaned out from under the sink and gave my mother an exasperated look. “Gossiping with my daughter about my love life, or lack thereof, isn’t your style, Ma.” “Yesh, it is.” I looked to my left to find Dean, my brother, talking through a mouthful of chips as the crumbs fell from his lips to the floor at his feet. “She doesh it all the time,” he assured me, still attempting to talk with his mouth full. I looked back at my mother. She shrugged and gave me that innocent look she used to her advantage often, only this time I didn’t buy it. She was guilty. Guilty of prying and using my daughter—or daughters, I had to assume—as her window into my life. The woman was evil. *** Later that night when the girls were finally tucked into bed, I did something I didn’t do often. I grabbed a beer and sat outside alone. I didn’t usually find time to spend by myself, but that was my own doing. I kept my girls as close as I could, because when they were with me, they were safe. And I wanted them safe, always. Yes, I hovered and I crowded them. I think I needed them more than the other way around, but I was

okay with that. I was fine with having just them and them alone. I didn’t need anything more. So why did that thought make me feel so empty? Why whenever I thought of my future did I always feel as if I was denying myself something? It was a constant battle. Replacing Lynn had never been an option. Not when she was lying at my side, smiling up at me, or now that she was gone had I thought I could ever be with another woman. It hurt to think about. Even doing so felt as if I was betraying the love we shared. I couldn’t do it. I was happy. That’s what I kept repeating over and over in my mind as my gaze wandered toward the house behind me, the god-awful blue one with the red doors. The same house that held the woman of mystery who I’d found myself wondering about since she offered me her name that morning. And then the guilt set in and I felt like a complete ass for even allowing my mind to wander in that direction. I wondered how I’d feel if the shoe was on the other foot. Would I want Lynn to move on if I was the one that’d passed? It was a hard question. When I thought of it, I grew angry at the idea of another man touching her. But would it be fair to have asked her to spend the remaining life she was given alone? I was young, and though I’d planned on spending my life with Lynn by my side, she was taken from me, from me and our daughters, and I no longer had that chance. And then there were the girls. Bringing another woman into their lives when they were so young seemed cruel. My heart broke just thinking of drowning out what few memories they had of Lynn with new ones made with a different woman. Because damn it, it was my job to make sure they always remembered their mother. If I’d died instead, I’d have hoped that Lynn would have showered them with thoughts and stories of me. A light flipped on over the back door of the blue house, and I remained perfectly still as I watched Greer step outside with a cellphone against her ear. In the silence, I could hear the conversation she was having. “No,” she said, then paused. “I’m fine. It just hits me when I least expect it.” I felt guilty for eavesdropping, but my curiosity to know more about her won out. I remained silent, not moving and barely breathing in hopes of hearing every word I could. “It’s still feels like a dream,” she began again. “I keep thinking I’ll wake up tomorrow back home with both my parents safe and alive.” She paused again. “I told my mother this morning, and I’ll tell you the same. Tucker and I were never meant to be. I think I always knew that, but I still gave it a shot and now we can’t even be friends. So am I pining over him? No. Have I thought of him? Yes, only because I wish I would have throat-punched him the night I caught him with his pants down.” I chuckled at her feistiness. A silence set in, and I continued to watch her closely. She remained frozen as she stared toward the direction of my patio. My hand tightened on the beer bottle I was holding as I held my breath. I hoped the noise I’d made hadn’t given my presence away. “I gotta go.” She lowered her phone to her side and continued to stare directly into the dark space I occupied. It was strange because I could almost feel her eyes on me, even though I was sure she couldn’t actually see me. Then suddenly she spun around on her heel and walked to her back door, stepped inside, and pulled it shut. The curtains on the door closed just before the porch light flipped off.

Only then did I let out the deep breath I felt like I’d been holding for hours.

Chapter 8

Greer I’ve been here a week, and I’ve managed to accomplish very little in figuring out where to go from here. Don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t been a complete bust. For starters, I now have a cat. Yes, a cat. She wandered up onto the patio two days ago, and being the sucker I am, I fed her. Okay, okay. So I fed her, cuddled her, and let her inside—after I ran into town and bought a litter box and a bag of food. I’m not sure what the house’s owners would have to say about that, but I decided I wouldn’t tell. Boots was now my friend. I’d also made best friends with Mr. Ridge, who owned the small minimart just down the road, and Mr. Berry, who ran the marina. They both were friends of Uncle Mark, and I had a feeling they were keeping tabs on me anyway, but I didn’t let it stop me from interacting with them whenever I saw them. They were both sweet, and when they got together they reminded me a lot of Gran and Uncle Mark. They hassled one another, and I could see the ornery in each of them. They kept my daily walks interesting, to say the least. Neither allowed me to pass without sharing a story of some type, which I gladly listened to with a smile. My nights were filled with a different type of entertainment. Most people would find it weird, but I found that the best part of my day was watching the man in the house behind mine interact with his girls. It was strange, I know, but in a way it gave me a sense of home to see that kind of love between a father and his daughters. To know that even in my dark time, a life like that still existed in the world; that life moves on around us even though we feel hollow inside. Each night they played different games, danced to different songs, or simply sat side by side looking up at the sky. I could clearly see the obvious love he felt for them. I’d laugh when his daughters played ballerina and he mimicked their movements. The best part was when Vivian insisted he wear a crown as he danced and he didn’t even hesitate. He wore it proudly. It warmed my heart to watch the extremes he would go to just to hear them laugh or see them smile. But there was a sadness about him too. Sometimes he seemed to watch them as if they were his only reason for breathing. He would get a blank look on his face, and only seemed to be present when they stopped playing to talk to him or ask him to join in again. I had never seen their mother, which made me even more curious. I should have felt terrible about spying on his most intimate, raw moments with his daughters, but it had become something of an addiction. It was so beautiful. Even in his saddest moments, he was the most gorgeous man I’d ever observed. I barely knew him, but watching him gave me so much insight into the man I believed he was. ***

The breeze pushed my hair back from my face as I tilted my head upward, feeling the sun heat my face. Digging my toes into the sand, I lay back on my towel and took in the peacefulness of the afternoon. I’d learned that weekdays were the best time to visit the beach, when everyone was at work. On weekends, it was swarming with people and lying back to read a good book or simply enjoy the quiet was impossible. My days were getting easier, just as my aunt had told me they would. Thinking of my father no longer hurt but brought me peace instead. I had a lifetime of memories filled with love that he had given me, and I valued them so deeply. Some children weren’t as lucky as I had been to have a great man to call Dad. The tears still came, but I welcomed them now, because I wanted to feel something other than the emptiness I’d felt for far too long. Hiding away in the house was no longer an option. “You decided to step out of the shadows for a bit.” I jumped in surprise at the sound of a man’s voice as a shadow fell over me, blocking the sun. “No longer hiding behind the blinds, I see.” Darren. The man I had watched for days. The man I had dreamed of, even though I knew I shouldn’t have been. His words registered then, and my cheeks heated. “Hiding behind the blinds.” Shit. I blinked up at him as he hovered above me, and I was at a loss for words. What did you say to a complete stranger after they implied they knew you’d been watching them? But he was smiling, which I guess was a good sign. And then a thought hit me. “You started it,” I blurted out, which only added to my embarrassment. He arched a brow yet remained silent, obviously waiting for me to explain. I should have remained quiet. I should have shrugged it off, but no, not me. I had to make things worse. “You watched me from your patio.” I finally sat up, pushing myself off the ground to stand. Instantly I realized my body was entirely too close to his. He only continued to stare at me, looking completely unaffected that I’d just called him out too. “You thought you were hidden, but I saw you,” I added, trying to convince myself I had the right to watch him in return. “So you decided sitting inside your house each night, watching me was the best solution?” he finally said. When I didn’t reply, he stepped in closer. “I was already outside when you came out your back door that night. I wasn’t lurking in the shadows waiting for a chance to eavesdrop; it just happened,” he assured me. “So why hide?” “I wasn’t hiding, I just didn’t announce my presence either.” It was my turn to offer a questioning stare. “I’ll admit I was curious about the woman in the house behind me.” He smiled sheepishly and looked down, as if he needed a moment to accept admitting what he had. His confession made me smile, even though I tried to hide it. “I was curious too,” I said. The tension that was thick between us only moments ago felt a little less overwhelming now. “What do you say we both stop silently wondering?” he asked, tilting his head to the left as if he were deep in thought. “If you’re curious, just ask.” Being this close to him was distracting. He stood taller than me by at least six inches, and his broad chest and shoulders made me feel so small in comparison. But even though his body was obviously

remarkable, his amazing eyes were what pulled me in. They were soft and caring, almost hypnotizing, and a unique shade; hazel almost, yet at times they appeared green when the light hit them just right. I had never before seen such captivating eyes. “And I agree to stop lurking and watching as well,” he added, making me realize I had yet to respond. And suddenly the warmth of the day seemed scorching. Instead of responding, I only offered a lame nod. Lurking was my safest bet. In no way would being this close to Darren on a repeated basis be good for me.

Chapter 9

Darren Life is about taking chances, about finding good in even the worst situations. I knew that daring to dream or allowing those dreams to become a reality was risky. But for once I no longer feared my future. Losing my wife was one of the worst things I had ever faced, and it would probably always hurt to know that our time together was unfairly cut short. Each time I looked into the faces of our girls and remembered they would never truly know the woman I fell in love with, the pain in my chest was almost unbearable. But I was also slowly coming to terms with the knowledge that Lynn wouldn’t want me to be lonely or to grieve for the rest of my life. She would want me to find happiness again, so I would. It wouldn’t be easy but I’d try, not only for me but for our children. My parents and Lynn’s were also pushing to convince me that loving again was okay. Still, the idea of loving another woman was hard to imagine. But for the first time since I lost Lynn, I wanted to try. Greer intrigued me. I don’t know why, but I did know I wanted to know more about her. I could almost see the same pain in her eyes that I saw in my own when I looked in the mirror each morning. We both seemed to be trying to hide our sadness. “Mustard?” I looked over at Greer. Her nose was wrinkled in disgust as she looked down at my sandwich. “What’s wrong with mustard?” I asked, seeing nothing wrong with the heaping amount I’d just added to my bun. “Um,” she said, still looking at my plate as if it was piled high with dog food. “In small amounts, nothing, but that”—she pointed toward my food—“that is just nasty.” “Try it,” I said, thrusting my sandwich toward her, the mustard dripping from the sides onto my palms. I couldn’t help but chuckle when she cringed and practically fell backward off her chair in attempt to get away from it. “No way,” she added as she held on to the side of the table, trying to stabilize her chair. It felt good to laugh, and even more amazing to flirt. I hadn’t felt this carefree in a long time. After a strange conversation on the beach about our obvious interest in one another and our not so subtle attempts to get to know each another, I convinced her to have lunch with me. I was well aware of the curious looks of those who knew me, yet I chose to ignore them. Instead, I focused on Greer as I did everything possible to get to know a little more about this blonde beauty. “There is no way on earth you’re getting me to take a bite of that. It looks awful, and how can you even taste anything other than the sauce?” She shivered, which only caused me to laugh more. “Why not just tip up the bottle and drink it?”

I grabbed for the bottle that sat on the table between us, and her eyes grew wide as I lifted it toward my mouth. She snatched it from my hands and placed it on the empty seat next to her as she slightly shook her head. “No,” she said, but I could see the smile pulling at her lips. It was adorable. In the very small amount of time I’d been sharing my lunch with Greer, I’d come to the conclusion that she was playful. She had a fun streak she couldn’t hide, even though she tried to at times. “So tell me something about you,” I said, deciding to take a chance and see how much she would actually allow me to learn about her today. “Like what?” she asked, looking at the table to avoid my eyes. “Where do you live?” I asked, refusing to lose her to her thoughts. “I live currently on Birmingham Avenue,” she said with a smirk and a slight tilt of her head. Before I could dig for more information, she continued, “But prior to my much-needed escape to your lovely area, I resided in Missouri.” Not what I would have guessed. “My father passed away a little while ago,” she added, and the sadness in her expression made my chest ache. “Then the guy I was seeing decided that rolling around in the sheets with an old flame was a much better way to spend his time than comforting me. So,” she said with a shrug. What an idiot was all I could think. “First, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Losing someone is never easy whether it’s expected or a sudden event.” I should know. “But as for the guy,” I continued as I leaned in, regaining her attention, “he must be a fool. Or blind.” I offered her a flirty smile, hoping to make this now-tense conversation more laid-back like it was only seconds ago. Greer was gorgeous, not a runway-model type of beauty, but the kind that definitely made a man go weak in the knees. Her blonde hair hung in waves down her back, and her blue eyes reminded me of a clear sky on a sunny day. She wasn’t thin, but she definitely wasn’t thick either; she was just right. I wanted something to hold on to when I held my woman, and in that moment I imagined holding on to Greer would be something I could grow addicted to. My woman. The phrase caught me by surprise. “Thanks,” she said with a smile. “But Tucker and I were never gonna be more than friends. I think I always knew that. To be honest I wasn’t even really too sad that it happened, so I guess that’s confirmation that my feelings didn’t mean what I thought they did.” She took in a deep breath. “I’ve just known him my whole life, and the betrayal hurt worse coming from a lifelong friend. I just never expected it, I guess.” Silence settled over us for a moment. “So how about you?” she asked. “Well, you already know where I live.” I smirked. “After all, you watch me almost daily.” She covered her face with her hands, and I chuckled at her embarrassment. The redness seeping into her cheeks made my own face heat. “I hate that you know I was watching,” she said from beneath her hands, her words muffled. “So embarrassing.” “Don’t be embarrassed,” I said, sliding my chair around the table to bring my body closer to hers. “I liked knowing each night that you were there. It’s strange, but it felt good to be interesting to someone

other than just my daughters for a change.” She lowered her hands as I placed my arm over the back of her chair. “They’re beautiful,” she said as her gaze met mine, “your girls.” My heart raced just a little from the way Greer was looking at me. I had forgotten how great it felt to be attracted to someone who was attracted to me. “They’re both the best part of my days,” I said. “Anyone that sees the three of you together would know that,” she assured me. “Their mother passed shortly after Violet was born. It was shock to us all.” I absentmindedly rubbed Greer’s shoulder with my fingertips. “Lynn had a brain aneurysm. One day she was here, and then the next she was gone.” “I’m so sorry,” Greer whispered. I knew she understood my loss. “It’s been hard, but we have to move on,” I said, looking at her, “right?” She nodded, and for a moment we just stared at one another. And for the first time since Lynn, the urge to kiss another woman washed over me. But I held back. We spent the remaining part of our lunch laughing and flirting as if we’d known one another a lot longer than we had. The weight I felt in my chest every single day since I lost Lynn felt a little less consuming. I would never stop missing her, or loving her—she was my first love, my wife. But I understood now that moving on would be okay. Laughing with someone and maybe one day loving again would be okay too. That guilt I’d felt for so long was less dominant today. And that felt amazing. *** “You’re running a little late today,” my mom said as I entered the back door. “Not that I’m complaining at all that I got some extra time with my granddaughters, I’m just curious. And before you say it’s nothing, I’m your mother and I can already tell by your smile that it is most definitely something.” The woman had some type of freakish radar that gave her the ability to see right through each of her kids. There truly was no need to lie or deny that I did indeed have something to smile about. “I had lunch with a new friend,” I said as I tossed my keys onto the table and walked toward the living room. “A female friend?” I stopped walking as I closed my eyes tightly and shook my head just a little. “You are a prying little thing, aren’t ya?” I said with a chuckle, looking back over my shoulder. She was still there smiling proudly with a dish towel in hand. “Yes, Mother, a woman. And I had a great time. Before you ask, yes, I do plan to see her again.” As I entered the living room, I could almost feel her giddy excitement hit me as she squealed in delight. “Daddy.” Vivian was the first to see me, and she shot off the couch like a bullet and practically dove into my arms. “We missed you.” “I missed you too,” I told her as I squeezed tight. Little Miss Violet had now made her way over to me, rubbing her eyes with her palms. “What’s wrong, Ladybug?” I asked as I reached out my other arm and pulled her in close. “She’s tired,” Viv insisted, wrinkling up her button nose. “I tried to tell her it was best to take a nap while we waited, but she watched the whole show instead.”

That’s my Vivian, mini mom. It amazed me how grown-up she sounded at times. But I knew it was most likely she was just repeating something she heard either me or my mother say about Violets TV habits. “Well, how about we gather our things and head on home.” Violet nodded as she yawned. “I’ve invited a friend over for dinner, and I think we all need a nap before she shows up.” I worried that the mention of a woman coming for dinner would get some type of tantrum reaction, but I was wrong. Their faces lit up like the Fourth of July, and the excited questions started to fly. “Who?” “What friend?” “Is she pretty?” “What’s her name?” “Does she like dolls?” “We’ll talk about it on the way home,” I assured them as I began to gather their toys and fold up the blankets they had used to makes beds in two separate locations, not to mention the one they felt their dolls needed too. After their reaction I was suddenly more anxious for this evening than I’d already been. I wanted to share them with Greer, and in turn I wanted them to like her as much as I had found I liked her. It was a strange feeling, but it didn’t terrify me. A week ago I never would have thought I’d look forward to spending an evening with a woman, but here I was, eager for that very thing.

Chapter 10

Greer I didn’t know what this was, or where it may lead me, but it felt exciting. Just being in Darren’s presence filled the silence in my head that had been there for weeks with the best type of noise. It was the greatest feeling I’d ever felt. I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring or where I would be next month. But for now, I wanted to stop analyzing everything and just live. I wanted to feel and stop holding back. But that didn’t take away my nervous energy when I stepped up to Darren’s front door. I could hear the girls’ laughter as they ran rambunctiously throughout the house, and Darren’s deep chuckle mixed in made my heart race. I experienced déjà vu then. A flashback of the dreams I had when I was young filled my head—the ones of me sitting on the front porch while the laughter of the people I loved more than anything filtered out through the open windows. And that vision made me smile bigger than I had in weeks. Three people I barely knew had the ability to make me feel alive with just the idea of the love they shared. “Daddy,” one of the girls yelled, regaining my attention, “like this.” I closed my eyes and listened, loving the sounds of their happiness. “Hands up, Daddy,” the squeaky little voice instructed, followed by a giggle. “No, silly, higher.” “This high?” Darren asked. I still had no idea what could possibly be going on inside, but it didn’t matter. It was beautiful to hear them anyway. “Yes, Daddy,” another voice rang out, and I knew it had to be Violet, the younger one. She sounded so tiny and sweet. I could have remained on the front porch listening to them all night and been perfectly happy. But I lifted my hand and carefully knocked, then jumped in surprise when the girls’ squeals rang out. “Shh, okay, okay.” Darren sounded amused. When the door opened and both girls rushed out and began bouncing up and down in excitement, I, too, could no longer hold back my own laughter. Seeing them up close for the first time made my heart ache. They were gorgeous. The image of perfection with their adorable smiles and their daddy’s eyes. The smallest amount of freckles speckled over their cheeks only added to their cuteness. I lowered myself to their level and lifted my hand to offer a wave. “Hi, I’m Greer.” The little one moved closer and lifted her hand to touch my cheek, surprising me. “How are you, Violet?” I asked. My eyes closed on their own accord as she gently rubbed my cheek with her tiny hand. I wasn’t sure

what her gesture meant, but it was soothing. “Hi,” she whispered, and I was caught off guard when her hands wrapped around my neck. I placed my arm around her and held her close, offering a hug in return. I took a moment to breathe in her sugary scent: cookies and a faint hint of coconut that I imagined to be from her shampoo. I looked up and found Darren watching the interaction closely. From the look on his face, I wasn’t sure exactly what he was feeling. An overwhelming rush of an unexplainable emotion ran though me, and my throat burned as I tried to swallow past it. She stepped back and I released my hold on her, yet she continued to stare at me with curiosity. Darren reached down and picked her up. “You okay, Vi?” She nodded, and for the first time since he opened the door, she looked away from me and back at her father. “She’s pretty, like a princess.” He swallowed hard, making his throat bob. “Yeah,” he said, looking back toward me with a smile, “she is, baby.” I blinked, doing my best to hide the effect her words and his response had on me. “You live in the blue house.” I turned my attention to Vivian and cleared my throat. “Yes, I do,” I said with a nod. “Well, girls, let’s step aside and let Greer come in,” Darren insisted. I was a little worried about Vivian’s reaction, but when she took my hand, the worry faded. She led me inside and kept hold of my hand as we walked to the kitchen. The house was gorgeous, but you could tell a man and two little girls lived here, meaning it was complete chaos inside, but it worked for them. The tall floor-to-ceiling windows were gorgeous, just like the view he had of the ocean through them. “It’s amazing,” I said as I looked out the windows that lined his dining area. “That view is the reason I bought this house,” Darren said as he stared out them with me. The girls had now moved on to the pile of dolls in the center of the room, which occupied them fully. “After Violet, I knew we needed more space,” he said as he leaned against the countertop that separated the kitchen and dining area. “I found this place a week before Lynn passed. It was run-down and in desperate need of a facelift. I made an offer the night before she died.” My heart ached for him. “She hadn’t even seen it,” he added. “I was gonna come in, gut it completely, and surprise her once it was finished.” I stepped forward and placed my hand on his arm, causing him to look at the very spot I was touching. “Sorry,” he whispered, as if he were worried about bringing her up. “Don’t ever be sorry for talking about her or your life together.” I truly meant it. “Our memories are all we have left of those we’ve lost. If we stop sharing those memories, then we stop remembering them, and that would be a shame.” His eyes met mine, and for a moment all he did was stare back at me with a look I couldn’t quite explain that was neither a smile nor a frown. “You’re pretty great, you know that?” he said finally, a small smile pulling at his lips. “I try,” I said with a shrug, trying to lighten the mood. “Something tells me you don’t have to try hard,” Darren added, then he did that thing I had seen him do

more than once today at lunch. His eyes focused on my lips as his tongue rested against his lower lip. And it did the same thing now that it had done to me then. It made my stomach flutter and my heart race. I had never in my life wanted someone to kiss me as much as I wanted this man to. “Greer,” Vivian said, breaking our trance, and we turned to face the girls. Both were sitting in the middle of a heaping amount of dolls and doll accessories. “Come play dollies,” she added as she patted the space next to her. “Viv, she doesn’t want to play dolls,” Darren said. I looked back at him, placing my hand to my chest dramatically. “As a matter of fact, dolls are my most favorite thing to play.” He smiled, and the dimple in his left cheek made an appearance. He held out his hand in the direction of the girls, “Well, by all means.” I winked at him just before I moved to the pile and sat down in the space between the kids. They moved in closer to my side and began handing me the clothes that apparently went with the doll I picked up. Their giggles and chatter were comforting. I felt as if I had always been a part of their lives. They welcomed me, and nothing had ever felt greater. I glanced at Darren and found him watching the three of us from where he was still leaning against the countertop, his arms crossed over his chest and a smile upon his face. He looked from Vivian to Violet before his gaze finally found mine. He offered me a smile just before mouthing, “Thank you.” He didn’t know there was no need to thank me; I truly enjoyed every moment of this. I’d have to make sure he knew that later. But for now, I had two little girls to play with.

Chapter 11

Darren The girls adored Greer. They’d swarmed her like bees to honey since she’d arrived. And if I wasn’t mistaken, Greer was just as consumed with them. The only female interaction they’d had since Lynn’s death was with my mother, due to the constant travel of Lynn’s parents. I was thankful for that connection every day, but I can’t lie; I was loving the happiness on their faces now as they played with dolls and danced around the living room to the Frozen soundtrack as I sat back and watched. Greer’s laughter mixed with the laughter of my girls was almost magical. It was the best kind of song, playing on repeat. If I hadn’t known better, I would never have guessed the three of them had only officially met hours ago. It felt as though they’d known each other forever. Watching them together warmed my heart more than I ever could have imagined, but the sight was also bittersweet. I’d always imagined Lynn cuddled up on our couch with one of our girls on each side. Now Greer sat in her place, smiling and snuggling close to my daughters as Vivian played with her hair and Violet held her hand. But life was getting easier to bear and the guilt I would’ve once felt at the sight wasn’t as prominent as before. Violet’s eyelids began to droop as she curled in closer to Greer and laid her head on Greer’s lap. Almost instantly Greer began combing her fingers through Violet’s hair. Her affectionate, caring side shone brightly, making her even more beautiful. I may barely know her, but no one could deny she had a compassionate heart, full of so much love. *** “Are they both asleep?” Greer asked as I stepped out onto the deck and handed her a glass of wine. “Yes,” I said. “They both slowly gave in after they talked about you for at least ten minutes.” She smiled as she lifted the glass to her mouth. I couldn’t help but watch closely as it came in contact with her plump, full lips, distracting me from my thoughts. The way she tipped the glass and the way her throat bobbed when she swallowed was so sexy. “I had a great time; they’re both amazing,” she assured me as she lowered her glass and brought it to rest on the deck railing. I was lost for a moment watching her profile as she looked out toward the water in the distance. She appeared so at peace, so settled. It was a feeling I wasn’t familiar with. Instead I found myself wanting to do whatever it took to keep her. I stepped closer and my movements caused her to look up. Without any further delay, fearing if I didn’t do it now, I wouldn’t make the move, I lifted my hand and skimmed my palm over her cheek as I slid it farther into her hair. “I don’t think I told you that you’re amazing,” I whispered as I moved my body even closer to hers,

feeling her chest pressed firmly to mine. “You did, but I sort of like hearing it,” she confessed as her eyes shifted from mine to my mouth, then back again to meet my gaze. There was a silent pause just before I moved in, finally closing that last amount of distance between us. Her lips pressed to mine, and I hooked my arm around her waist and held her as close as I possibly could. A gentle brush of my tongue caused her lips to part, and I moved in, taking full advantage. That was the kind of guy I was, demanding, greedy. I just hadn’t been him for so long. But Greer ignited a need inside me that had been hidden someplace down deep. It felt extraordinary to be a man with needs and wants and to act on them again. It was freeing and natural, and I knew in that moment that had I allowed my desires to go as far as my mind was screaming for them to go, I would have had her backed up against the house and panting my name in seconds. But I had to move slowly, not only for her but for me. Because Greer, I could already tell, could be very addicting. I pulled back from the kiss and rested my forehead against hers, and for a moment we both just remained connected, breathing as evenly as possible. My pulse raced and my body hummed from just one kiss. My lips tingled, begging for more. She slid her hand beneath the back of my shirt, and the connection ignited my need again as I took her mouth once more. This time, I devoured her lips. The desire to stop was now long gone, replaced by deep hunger. “Darren,” she panted against my mouth as she dug her fingers into my back. “I know,” I said, though I wasn’t sure why. Maybe I was telling her I felt it too, or maybe I was agreeing that this was just too much. I was torn between stopping this before it went further and taking what I needed. “Daddy.” My daughter’s voice broke us apart, and I backed away from Greer as if an ice-cold glass of water had been dumped over me. Greer fumbled to right herself and knocked her wineglass onto the floor in the process. The look on her face gave me all the confirmation I needed that the moment we’d shared was now over.

Chapter 12

Greer I woke to the sound of someone tapping on my door. I crawled out of bed and begrudgingly trekked down the hall toward the front door without bothering to check my appearance. And yes, I may have groaned and pouted the entire way too.

Boots, my new fury friend, trailed behind happily, only further adding to my irritation. Little feline asshole. He is a morning person—well, kitty—and I am not. I’ve been woken up too many times by him purring and rubbing up on me. Most mornings I would count to ten, trying my best not to nudge him off to encourage him to go play in any other part of the house. I loved sleeping in, so I had to wonder who in the hell could be knocking on my door at eight in the morning. Without looking through the peephole, I flipped the lock and opened the door, squinting as the sunlight poured in. I was literally tackled, no joke, causing me to stumble backward as I struggled to stay upright. “Greer,” two very happy little girls squealed as they held on to my bare legs that peeked out from beneath the T-shirt I’d worn to bed the night before. But they didn’t seem to mind. When I looked toward the door and found Darren grinning as he took in my appearance, I saw he didn’t seem to mind either. Men were so easy. Heat rose in my cheeks as he checked out my legs, his gaze rising higher and higher, narrowing in on the hem, which had lifted from the way Vivian was clinging to my waist. “Daddy said we can take you to breakfast with us,” Vivian added just before she noticed the cat circling our feet. “Kitty,” Violet yelled, making Boots jump, then freeze in place before taking off like a bullet. It was almost comical. Both girls hurried off after the cat, and I instantly felt very exposed and tugged on my shirt as I turned back toward Darren, only to find him standing closer than before. So close I could see the golden-brown flecks in his eyes. Over the last week, I’d spent almost every waking moment with him and the girls, so growing attached to those golden flecks, and every other part of Darren, was impossible to avoid. He was an amazing man, and not just because he was gorgeous, with broad shoulders and the kind of arms made for holding a woman close and making her feel safe. He was also truly the sweetest man I’d ever met. He was almost too perfect. “Don’t cover up on my account,” he said with a sinful smirk. “I like this look.” He surprised me by wrapping his arm around my waist, pulling my body against his, and pressing his lips to mine. Not that I was complaining in any way. I truly loved his take-charge personality. I moaned against his lips, before I could stop myself. In my defense he was a really great kisser. He pulled back and pushed away the stray hair hanging near my eye. “Good morning,” he whispered in a low, seductive tone, making me smile. “So what do you say,” he added, still holding me close, “are you hungry?” He grinned wickedly. How could one simple question sound so dirty? “Very,” I said, in no way referring to food either. And from his grin, I think he picked up on that too. “Pancakes!” I jumped at the sound of Violet’s voice, and when I tried to move out of Darren’s hold, he refused to let me go. “You better go get ready,” he said. “They’re both like vultures when they get hungry. They’ll start eating everything edible in your kitchen if you make them wait long.” I glanced over my shoulder and found both girls swarming around the snack bar that held fruit, muffins,

and other goodies, and realized he wasn’t fibbing. I rushed to the bedroom to make myself presentable, hoping I could keep the girls from going on a binge-eating rampage. As I dressed, I found myself doing what I’d always done in any other relationship I’d ever had: questioning it all. Who was I kidding? This would end. I’d have to go back to my life in Missouri, and when I did, leaving them would destroy me. I could already feel myself growing attached to the girls and their father, to his kisses and the gentle way he touched my back when standing next to me. I didn’t know if he realized he did that, but I noticed. I noticed everything he did, and the idea of not having it made my stomach ache. I pulled on some jeans and sat on the edge of my bed, holding the shirt I’d just retrieved from the closet tightly in my hands as I listened to the girls giggling in the other room and Darren speaking to them in his deep, soothing voice. I could get used to this. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. This was all too fast, wasn’t it? He barely knew me, and I barely knew him, yet I felt like I fit into his life. It was scary. I came to Carolina Beach to gain some perspective and find the my way in life, to find a way to strive in the middle of all my heartache. Yet now I was even more confused. A knock on the door make me jerk in surprise. “Greer,” Darren said from the other side, “they found your muffins.” He chuckled, and his comment made me smile. “I put them on top the refrigerator so they couldn’t reach them, but I can see their minds working overtime to figure out a way to get to them.” I imagined them climbing on top of the cabinets to retrieve the treats. I was sure they would attempt it if they found a chair or stool they could push into the room. I stood from the bed and pulled my shirt over my head before moving toward the door, quickly forgetting my concerns as exhilaration for yet another adventure with the girls and Darren took over.

Chapter 13

Darren My girls were in pancake heaven. I’m talking piles of them with assorted toppings and enough syrup to feed half the country. And in the center of the pancake explosion was Greer. She was actually the ringleader, and who was I to attempt to control it? There was so much syrup. If I’d gathered the three of them for a group hug, we’d need the Jaws of Life to pull us apart. I think Greer even had it in her hair. All three of them had long ago abandoned their silverware and were now using their fingers instead. But their laughter warmed me more than I had ever dreamed possible, to the point I barely noticed the looks of shock and the whispers of those around us. I’d grown dependent on the laughter of my girls, and I was finding I’d become addicted to Greer’s as well. It was hypnotizing, and even when she laughed so hard she made a goofy little snort, I still found it to be one of the sexiest laughs I’d ever heard. Each moment I spent with her and each smile she gifted me made me feel like I should thank whoever had insisted she come here to get away. I’d gladly be the man to rescue her from whatever she felt she needed rescuing from. I was staring, and I wasn’t about to deny it. As if she could feel my eyes on her, she looked my way and once again flashed me the sweetest smile. For a moment I remained frozen, feeling as if the wind had suddenly been knocked out of me. No matter what it took, I wanted to keep Greer around. In such a short time she’d become an important part of my day and an important addition to my girls’ lives. I could tell she already loved them. She didn’t seem to care that a four-year-old was now running tiny, sticky fingers through her long, blonde hair. Even though I knew it had to hurt when she pulled, Greer didn’t even flinch. She only smiled and tipped her head back, allowing Vivian to continue. Meanwhile, Violet fed her pieces of pancakes straight from her fingers, and Greer happily took the sticky, soggy mess between her lips. The laughter from my little girl when Greer pretended to munch on her fingertips made me ache so deep. I was a wreck on the inside, but I wanted more crazy, disastrous breakfasts and dinners like this. And more of everything when it came to Greer. *** When Greer suggested we take a walk after our meal, I was game. What better way to wash some of our mess away than playing in the ocean? Sticky hand in sticky hand, the four of us walked side by side along the beach as the breeze coming in from the water gave us some relief from the warm afternoon. The girls loved the water. I’d taken them both to the beach often to watch sunsets and even a few sunrises. It was the best part about living within walking distance of the ocean. Even though we didn’t have our bathing suits, we still splashed through the small waves.

When the girls had enough, they moved back onto the sand and carefully began constructing a castle out of sand and some leftover cups a not-so-environmentally-friendly beachgoer left behind. I took the opportunity to sneak up behind Greer and wrap my arms around her, pulling her body back against mine. She came willingly, allowing her head to rest back against my chest even as she watched the girls. I closed my eyes for a moment, because the things I was feeling made my chest ache so intensely. “I know I’ve said it before, but I need to say it again.” I swallowed past the lump that had formed in my throat. “Thank you,” I whispered, “for being so great with them. For letting them be kids, and letting them cover you with syrup without complaining about the mess. For all of it, thank you.” She turned in my arms and placed her hands on my chest. “You don’t have to thank—” I pressed my lips to hers. She just didn’t get it. She didn’t understand what her kindness meant to not only them, but to me. They were a stranger’s children; she owed them nothing. But she hadn’t denied them once since meeting them and was right there with them, acting crazy and laughing without hesitation. She didn’t let the fact we just met keep her from acting as if she had no one to impress. And that to me not only made her more beautiful, but made me want her more. She pulled back, her eyes remaining closed. “They adore you, Greer,” I told her. “I adore you.” She opened her eyes and locked her gaze with mine. “I never thought I’d take a chance with anyone after Lynn, but you make me wanna try. You make me want more in my life.” So much more. “Darren,” she replied, her eyes glossy. “You being here with us just feels right.” If felt more than right, but I didn’t want to scare her off by telling her. “It feels perfect,” she whispered before rising onto her toes and kissing me once again. “And I should be the one thanking you for allowing me to be in their lives.” Once again this woman took my breath away with just one simple sentence, and again I asked myself what I could have possible done to deserve a chance meeting with a woman like Greer.

Chapter 14

Greer I’ve always loved the beach, in addition to the sunsets and sunrises. But with Darren and the girls, I loved them even more. Each night I looked forward to curling up next to Darren to watch the sunset with one of the girls snuggled up to each of us. Though Darren woke up early to visit his jobsites, he made sure to hurry home so we could once again make plans to do something with Violet and Vivian. I guess being the owner and operator of a construction company had its perks. He was able to hire people to do jobs for him and simply had to oversee from time to time. Three fast-moving, fun-filled weeks. That’s how long it had been since Darren first invited me into his home and Violet and Vivian made me fall in love with them. Their sweet faces alone had the ability to cure the shittiest of moods, and I had no hope of survival when they started giggling. When I was around them, I felt like a kid again. Vivian and Violet had even gone as far as talking Darren into buying me my very own doll to play with when they gathered me on the floor for what they referred to as “our time” together. Every day with them was like Christmas. That rush of excitement, that unpredictable joy you get knowing you’re about to receive something you asked for. The heightened rush of urgency to see what the package before you holds. They gave me that. I loved the surprises, the games, and, yes, even the messes. I’d never imagined I would be dancing in circles on the beach wearing a tutu, but I did it for them. Anytime they asked, I’d imitate a tiger, complete with growling and roaring, while they tried to capture me with imaginary nets. In fact I’d loved every second of that game, and I’d be first in line to let them give me a makeover again. I was well aware I looked like a Maybelline explosion when they were done, but it made them happy. And Darren still told me I was beautiful afterward. Hell, I didn’t even think twice about playing Simon Says in the middle of the grocery store when they asked. And the fact Darren let us do our thing while he continued to gather the items he needed to make us all dinner later that night made him the sexiest man I’d ever known. The man was a dream, and sometimes I wondered how on earth I got lucky enough to be the one he chose to finally take a chance with. But if I were being honest, it terrified me too. But that didn’t stop me from falling even harder for him and his girls. My days and nights were overflowing with the happiness they brought me. They consumed so much of my time that I rarely had a moment to feel sad or read the text messages Tucker had been sending lately. I didn’t want to hear whatever he had to say. I wouldn’t let him taint the happiness that now engulfed me. But on the nights when I was alone, reality would hit me, and I remembered I would have to go back to my petty life in Missouri and all the drama that came with it.

The thought of leaving them broke my heart. As I sat on the couch awaiting their arrival, I found myself tearing up at idea that they would no longer be part of my life. The knock on the door made me jump in surprise, and I rushed toward the mirror on the wall near the front door to make sure my tears hadn’t ruined my makeup. I couldn’t do this right now; I had to hold it together because the girls had planned on taking me out to dinner and disappointing them was not an option. My heart wouldn’t be able to take leaving them when the time came, so it was better to start the process now while my heart was still intact. *** I spent the evening fighting down the lump in my throat and the unmistakable dread threatening to drown me. Darren had taken us to a restaurant I hadn’t visited. Larry’s was family owned and operated, and from the looks of it, most the people in town loved it. The place was packed to the hilt and the wait was horrendous, but we were seated right away. It was as if they already knew we were coming, and the hostess seemed to know Darren and the girls. He chose the space next to me, and the girls sat on the opposite side of the table. He draped his arm over my shoulders, and his thigh pressed tightly to mine, as if showing me affection was second nature. My chest felt tight, and the final punch came when a man stepped up to the table and the girls called him Grandpa. “Hey, Dad,” Darren said after the girls had finished mauling the man. “This is Greer.” When he turned to face me, I saw he had the same gorgeous eyes. “Good evening Greer, I’m Larry, and welcome to my restaurant,” he said, holding his hand out to me. I was a little shocked hearing that this was Darren’s father’s restaurant and a little impressed too. “I’ve heard a lot about you from my wife.” I shook his hand and looked at Darren, wondering what he could have said to his mother about me. This was such a surprise. “Look at those two.” He pointed at his granddaughters. “They’ve gone on and on about the princess that lives in the blue house since the first night they talked to you.” I tried to refrain from losing it right there. “I may have mentioned you a few times to my mother too,” Darren whispered as he leaned in close. His lips skimming over my temple had my eyes fluttering shut. How did he make me feel this way? I’d known Tucker my entire life, and never once had he given me an ounce of the excitement I felt with Darren. What did that mean? “Well, whoever the source was, my wife seems to be crazy over the mystery girl she’s heard so much about,” Larry said, regaining my attention. “I’d like to invite you to join us for dinner tomorrow night. She’d loved to have you.” I tried to politely decline. “I’m not sure—” “We’ll be there,” Darren said without hesitation. We, as in all of us. Like I was part of his world now. My heart raced and tears pooled in my eyes. Unable to control them, I nodded, trying to refrain from making eye contact. “Great,” Larry said. “Now I better get back to the kitchen and keep this place running.”

I kept my eyes on his retreating back until he disappeared through the swinging door. “I hope that was okay,” Darren said from my side, but I was too scared to face him. The tears that had formed in my eyes were too close to falling, and I knew if I looked over at him, I wouldn’t have been able to stop them. “My mother is chomping at the bit to meet you.” I closed my eyes tightly, trying my best to talk myself through this moment. I could do it. I could rein in my emotions and do this. I couldn’t be responsible for crushing the excitement in the girls’ eyes and Darren’s voice. I took in one last deep breath before finally looking up to meet his curious stare. “It sounds fun.” “Fun.” He arched a brow, a grin pulling at his lips. “Not sure that’s how I’d categorize it, but we’ll go with that so you don’t go running in the opposite direction.” I forced a smile, trying to hide that I was freaking out a little on the inside. I didn’t want him to worry. Later I would get through the panic churning deep in the pit of my stomach. For now I would continue to hold it together.

Chapter 15

Darren I’d noticed Greer’s reaction to my father’s invite. Hell, I’d noticed that strange way her mood had shifted the moment she turned back to face me after he walked away. I tried not to read too much into it, but it was impossible to ignore. Soon after that, she insisted on ending the night early, saying she was tired, but I could see right through her. I’d tried calling her three times over the last hour with no answer, and I knew she was awake because I could see her moving around inside. I’d resorted to my old habit of sitting on my back porch watching her windows. I was now on my fourth beer, which was not like me since I usually stopped at two. I wanted to remain alert for the girls at all times, so I didn’t have the luxury of drowning my sorrows. I went over the last few weeks in my mind, every moment, every word we shared, and I still couldn’t tell what had spooked her, but it was driving me insane. I’d finally let go of my concerns and gone with what I was feeling for once, and look where it got me. My concern had quickly turned into panic before morphing into irritation. All she had to do was say she didn’t feel the same way I did, and I’d step back. But instead her solution was to avoid my calls. Before I knew what I was doing, I was marching across my yard, and in one swift move I jumped over her four foot fence. I took her stairs two at a time before rapping on the screen door of her back porch as my body hummed with alcohol-induced adrenaline.

The back door opened and there she stood in one of those short T-shirts she slept in. Her golden hair was piled on top of her head in a mess of curls. She unlocked the screen door, leaving nothing to separate us, and looked over my shoulder toward my house, her eyes wide. “Darren,” she said, sounding concerned, “are the girls okay?” She fucking cared, it was obvious. So why was she hiding? I stepped closer, invading her space and gripped the back of her neck to pull her near. “Darren,” she repeated, still looking worried. I leaned in, pressed my lips to hers, and backed her toward the house, pressing her body between mine and the solid space next to the door. I took the chance I’d been granted to kiss her like I never had before. I put everything I had into it: the hungry ache I’ve had since the moment I first tasted her lips and the emotional rush I felt each time I watched her with my girls. When her body melted and molded to mine, I knew she felt it. She had to. I pulled back, looking into her now-lust-filled eyes. “Why are you avoiding me?” I asked. “I’m not avoiding—” I kissed her again, and she moaned against my lips and combed her fingers through my hair, fisting it at the ends. The pain felt good, driving me to want more. “Tell me you don’t feel this,” I dared her as I pushed against her harder. “Tell me that with every kiss you don’t feel the same ache I do. Deny it and I’ll walk away now.” Silently I begged for her to give in and not use this as her chance to escape. I know I said I’d walk away, but doing that would be harder than I could imagine. “I feel it,” she whispered, and my knees felt weak with her confession. “But it scares me,” she added, making my heart beat faster. Her body shuddered against mine as I held her close. “Me too,” I confessed. “But I’d rather be scared than let this opportunity pass by.” I pulled back enough to look into her eyes. They glistened in the night with unshed tears, which made my chest ache even more. “Nothing is a guarantee,” I told her. “We are each given a certain amount of time to make the most of. We of all people know this. I’ve spent so much time alone already, and hidden behind my fear of moving on. I know you have too. Isn’t it time for us to live? To feel?” “What happens when I leave?” she asked. “What happens to us when I go home?” I didn’t want to think about that. Because in a perfect world, she would choose to stay. She would choose me and my girls over a life that had made her so unhappy, she’d run from it. “You’re here now,” I told her, still looking directly into her glistening eyes. “We have this time together, and I have to believe there was a reason you ended up here out of all the other places you could have gone.” I’d do all I could to convince her that Carolina Beach was where she belonged. I had to believe that. She hesitated, but then her lips were pressed to mine once again in a slow, sensual kiss. One that only gave me a tease of what was to come before she pulled back once again. Her lips hovered over mine, so close I could feel her breath against my lips. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to leave after meeting you three,” she confessed. “I don’t think I can.” “Then don’t,” I said as I turned her in my arms and moved toward the wicker couch only a few feet away. I sat and pulled her body toward mine, and she straddled my lap willingly. Her shirt rode up her

thighs, exposing her to me even more. “Stay,” I whispered as I griped the back of her neck and pulled her mouth to mine once more. “I think we both deserve to find out where this will go,” I whispered against her lips, hoping what I was saying was somehow sinking in. She no longer fought her own hunger as she shifted her hips and pressed herself against the hardness beneath my jeans. It was my turn to moan as my dominant side cried out to take over. I griped her hips, shifted her forward, and thrust upward, grinding against her. “I want this,” I told her. “I want you.” “I want you too,” she whispered. I felt like a staving man. I wanted to do so many different things to her. I wanted to control her and make her beg for more and cry my name. I craved her touch everywhere. The warmth of her arousal spread through the fabric that separated us, and her thighs shook under my palms. Her lips quivered as she gasped and whispered for more. It was like a drug to me. I lifted her shirt, exposing her bare breasts and continued to pull it up over her head. “The girls,” she said, looking back toward my house. I pointed to the monitor that lay on the floor by the door. In my heated reaction to her presence, I’d dropped it upon entering her porch. “I’ll hear them,” I assured her as I leaned forward. I took her nipple between my lips and sucked it softly. She whimpered and arched her back. I spread my palms over her hips and held her in place as I continued to taste her skin. I bit her hardened peak and tugged gently, triggering a moan that echoed throughout the darkness. Fuck, that was sexy. She was so responsive to my touch. She began to rock her hips against me, riding my hard cock that was pressing painfully against my pants. She brought her hands to my waist and began fumbling with the button of my jeans, and I did nothing to stop her. I wanted this, and being outside where the neighbors could hear us if they walked by wasn’t going to stop me. She took no time at all in freeing me from my boxers, then fisted my cock and began to stroke me. My thighs tensed beneath her, and I thrust upward, helping her. Her hands on me felt better than I could have ever imagined. I should have stopped her when she raised herself up and pulled her panties to the side, only I couldn’t. I wanted this more than anything I’d wanted in a long time. I wanted to feel her warmth wrapped around me. I wanted to feel her come apart as I took all she was willing to give. I was so hungry for her. We’d slow things down our next time together, but I needed this now. I pushed my jeans down my thighs as she sank down over me, and we moaned in unison. As her tight, slick pussy took in every inch of me, every ounce of control I had went right out the window. I think I surprised her when I lifted her and flipped her around to position her body beneath mine. I placed my hands on her stomach and slowly ran them up over her breasts, cupping them. She whispered my name breathlessly as I pinched her nipples, and that was the last bit of fuel I needed. I pulled my hips back and slammed into her in one strong thrust. My head spun with the pleasure of being buried within her heat as I moved inside her. She felt perfect.

“Oh yes,” she panted as she moved her hips to meet my thrusting. Fuck, she felt good. An uncontrollable rush of euphoria hit me and I picked up the pace. “Damn,” I moaned, “so perfect.” “More,” she begged. “Don’t stop.” Never, I thought. If she would let me, I’d never stop. When she tightened around me, I knew she was close. The need to feel her come was overpowering. “So close,” she confessed as if I couldn’t already feel her body gripping me. She was so tight, like a vise holding me hostage. Her eyes were closed tightly as she hooked her legs around my waist, refusing to let go. “Open your eyes,” I said. “Look at me.” She did, but her eyelids fluttered. “I want you watching me,” I told her. “I want you to see me and only me.” I craved her desire; I wanted her all. When she clenched around me, her eyelids sagged again, and I gripped her hips tighter, regaining her attention. “Eyes on me, Greer,” I demanded, not ashamed of expressing my need for her. “I need you to see me, baby. See what you do to me.” She nodded and bit her lip as she arched her back and tightened around me even more. My legs beginning to vibrate as I thrust forward over and over. Her orgasm felt as if it went on forever. “Darren, yes,” she screamed into the night. I threw my head back and slammed forward, coming so hard my toes curled and my fingers dug into her hips as I growled her name, which echoed through the darkness. My body shook as a deep sense of satisfaction filled me. Fuck, it had been so long, I’d forgotten how amazing it felt to have such an intense connection with someone. She had to feel the same way. She had to know now how good we would be together. When I finally was able to regain control, I opened my eyes and found her staring up at me with a goofy grin. “We just had sex on a porch,” she said with a laugh. “In the open, where I’m positive someone heard us.” “Should I be bothered by that?” I asked, leaning forward and covering her body with mine. “Because I’m not,” I confessed. “In fact I’d do it all over again. Over and over, night after night.” “What am I gonna do with you?” she asked, and her question sent a rush of excitement through me. “Hopefully you keep me for a really long time,” I told her just before covering her lips with mine once more.

Chapter 16

Greer I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, or even next week. But I did know that Darren made me feel things I had never felt before, so it was time to stop focusing on the what-ifs. Because my life right now was pretty damn amazing, full of glitter, lace, and giggles, with a side of the sweetest, most delicious man. And that combination was the perfect kind of happiness. I wouldn’t allow myself to sabotage such a great thing. Last night was earth-shattering and the only confirmation I needed to solidify the connection between Darren and me. Knowing he felt it too only assured me I was where I needed to be. Well into the night, we lay side by side on the hammock that stretched out between two poles on the back porch. The night was silent and peaceful as he held me close, continuing to kiss me and ensure I felt his need for me. Things were different between us now than they were this morning. We had crossed a bridge. I could no longer deny that Darren Griffin had slowly been making his way into my heart, just like his girls had. Being wanted and needed was unbelievably rewarding. When he left I felt a sense of tremendous loss as I remained on the porch, watching his dark shadow move through my yard and into his. When he reached his back door, he paused and looked back at me, and his expression spoke a thousand words. I woke this morning feeling better than I had in a long time. When I thought of my father, I felt joy instead of sorrow. I sat at the breakfast bar with a picture of him and me when I was about three or four. I was wearing his work boots and his flannel shirt, and he was smiling at me with love and dedication. It reminded me of the way Darren looked at his girls. Without a second thought, I grabbed for my phone and dialed my mother’s number. “Hey, sweetheart,” she said, and I could almost see the smile in her voice. “How are things in Carolina Beach?” I knew that tone well. She used it when she already knew something but wanted to give me a chance to spill before she dragged it out of me. “Things are great,” I said vaguely. It felt great to tease her again. Lately we only seemed to talk about our loss, and on most days we ended our calls in tears. Hearing that old spunkiness in her voice felt good. “Just great?” she said. “Don’t you mean, ‘amazing,’ ‘life-changing,’ or something bigger?” I remained silent, letting her fire herself up even more. “Damn it, Greer Jean Monroe,” she groaned, which only made me laugh, “you better fill me in or I will be hoping on the next plane to come and beat it out of ya.”

Ah, there was the pushy, prodding mother I knew. My laughter only irritated her more. “That’s it. Stella,” she hollered, “book me a flight. I have a daughter who thinks she can hide the new man in her life.” “Well, that’s what you get for having Uncle Mark’s friends report my every move to you,” I said as I leaned back in my chair. I knew she wouldn’t come here. She loved Vermont and being with my dad’s family entirely too much. She just didn’t like for us to be so far away from each other. “Okay,” I said, finally bringing an end to her hissy fit, “his name is Darren, and he has two little girls.” “Darren,” she repeated. “Darren who?” “Griffin,” I replied without hesitation. “Wait a minute,” she said, and suddenly her voice was muffled, as if she’d covered the mouthpiece so she could talk to someone without me hearing. “I’m putting you on speaker,” she said then. “Mom.” I leaned forward and placed my elbow on the countertop. “Mother,” I tried again. “Listen to me, woman.” Speakerphone. Really? “Okay we’re here,” she said, and I closed my eyes tightly. “Who is we?” “Me,” Aunt Stella yelled. “Me too,” Uncle Mark followed. “Don’t forget me,” Gran called out, then I heard a thud, like a chair had fallen over. “Damn it, Norma.” My uncle’s voice sounded strained. “Did you have to steal the chair I was going to sit in?” I covered my mouth to muffle my laughter as I listened to their crazy bickering. “Well, yes,” she replied, sounding completely innocent. “I needed to get closer so I could hear our Greer talk about her new man, and this chair right here was the only one available.” “That’s the thing, you crazy ole bat,” he grunted. “It wasn’t available. I was in the process of sitting in it.” “Hm,” Gran huffed. “Guess next time you should move a little faster. And call me an ole bat again and I’ll show you how this ole bat can still shove a size six and a half straight up your fat ass.” I laughed before I could stop myself, and my gran laughed too. “Okay, sweet Greer, now that your sourpuss uncle has removed himself from this conversation, let’s carry on.” She clapped her hands together. “Give us the details and don’t leave out the juicy stuff. I want to hear it all. I’ve been trapped in this house with all these duds. Granny needs something good to help me dream at night.” Oh my, she never seized to amaze me. She was a firecracker. “Now what was his name, hun?” Aunt Stella asked. “Darren Griffin,” I said again. “He lives in the yellow house behind this one.” “Larry and Fiona’s boy?” I wasn’t sure if Aunt Stella was asking me or Gran, so I remained quiet. “They have two boys. Is Darren the one that lost his wife a couple years back?” When no one answered, I realized they were directing the question at me. “Um, yes, her name was Lynn.” I wasn’t sure what they were thinking, but their silence had me worried until Aunt Stella finally spoke again.

“Darren is a good boy, a strong soul. He went through a devastating event, but I heard he’s doing great with his business now. And Ben Berry said he’s done an amazing job raising those girls.” “They’re amazing, that is for sure,” I assured her. “Vivian and Violet are the sweetest little kids. They’re always smiling and are both so happy. The love between all three of them is impossible to miss whenever you’re around them.” Silence set in again, and I wondered what they were sharing on the other end of the line. Not being able to see their faces made me nervous. “Does he make you happy, Greer?” my mother asked, and my stomach knotted. “Does he make you feel like you’re his world too, and does he give you a million reason to feel special because he knows you are?” “Yes,” I said, knowing she was referring to the way my father treated her. “Does he make you feel like you’re riding on a cloud, where nothing can hurt you because he’s there to keep you safe?” Her voice was strained, as if she were fighting back her own emotions. I guess this would be yet another conversation that we ended in tears. “Then you grab on tight to that man,” she whispered. “Live your life, Greer. Cherish every moment like it’s your last, because you never know when it just might be. Love, laugh, and live, without regret.” “But what about—” “None of that matters. We’ll worry about home when the time comes. Right now, just live, sweetheart.” She was telling me to forget about my life in Missouri and make my time here count. And if I was going to take anyone’s words to heart and allow them to change my path, it would be hers. My mother only made drastic decisions when she felt strongly that any other course of action would be wrong. I trusted her. “I love you, Mom,” I said, feeling my throat burn. “Love you too,” she replied. “Now go see those people that are now your future.” I took in a deep breath. I’d set out to find the right path for me and never counted on finding Darren or the girls. Could they really be that?

Chapter 17

Darren “Why do you look so nervous?” I asked as I leaned in closer and took Greer’s hand from across the console that separated us. The drive to my parents’ house had actually filled my stomach with tension too. They had no filter, so I suspected that by the end of the night I would have to do some damage control. I just hoped my brother would be out with one of his many conquests instead of here to make my life hell. “Meeting your parents is a big deal,” Greer replied, “and I found out today that my family knows your family. So I’m sure that somehow they’ve already been notified about me and my connection to Uncle Mark and Aunt Stella. Therefore, I am sure they’ve been given a rundown of my life.” “And why is that a bad thing?” I asked, causing Greer to finally look over at me. “Well, because up until now, my life has been something I’d prefer to forget, except for my family, that is. The rest was just a mess.” She looked concerned as she nibbled on her lower lip. After I turned into the driveway of my childhood home and parked, I twisted in my seat to face her, which made her do the same. The girls were in the backseat, still completely focused on the movie they were watching. “They’re not going to judge you, babe. They can’t wait to meet you,” I assured her. “My mother called me at least ten times today, and when I talked to my father earlier, he practically begged us to come over right then. He said my mother had been driving him crazy all day.” When she smiled I felt a huge sense of relief. “My concern isn’t that they won’t like you,” I confessed. “I’m worried they’ll drive you as bat-shit crazy as they are and you’ll run away so fast I’ll have no hope of catching you.” She smiled wide. “Oh my sweet man, you really believe I’ve lived a sheltered life, don’t you?” She shook her head and chuckled. “My gran is one of the craziest ladies that has ever graced this earth. The stories I could tell you.” She leaned over and gave me a soft kiss. “They would have you running from me instead, fearing the insanity that may be running through my veins.” Her serious look only managed to make my smile widen. “Let’s go meet the crazies,” she offered with a wink. Before I could even offer to help, she had the girls out of their car seats and they were all walking hand in hand toward the front door. The sight of the unity she shared with my girls made me feel better about what she was about to walk in to. The door opened before she could even knock and out poured Fiona Griffin. Mom instantly homed in on Greer with determined eyes, and squealed as she engulfed Greer in a hug. Here we go, I thought as I hung my head.

“Oh honey, you are a pretty one,” my mother said as she finally released Greer from the hug, but continued to hold her shoulders. “My girls were right; we could slap a tiara and a frilly dress on you and call you Princess Greer. Great smile, beautiful eyes, and that hair!” “Mom,” I said in warning when I realized she was rambling off on a tangent, but she ignored me. “You have meat on your bones, and that’s good. No real man wants to take skin and bones to bed.” Greer’s eyes widened and she looked back at me in shock. I tried to warn her. “Now come on, all, there’s no need to stand outside.” My mother motioned us to follow as she and the girls rushed inside, leaving the front door open. Greer didn’t move; she didn’t even blink. I stepped up to her side and placed my hand on the small of her back. “You wanna run?” I asked, trying to hide my smile. “Um,” she said, and I looked over at her just in time to catch her blink excessively and swallow hard. She turned to face me and pointed toward the front door, her eyes wide with question. “Did she just call me fat?” Arching a brow, I slowly looked her over from head to toe. Fat? Was she serious? She wore capri pants, sandals, and a matching sleeveless shirt that in my opinion only highlighted her curves—curves that fit perfectly in my hands. She was far from fat. “Because when someone tells you that you have meat on your bones, it kind of seems like a gentle way of saying, ‘Here, honey, have a carrot stick for dinner while the rest of us have a real meal.’” I was losing her fast, and I knew I’d have to talk her through tonight. I guess I just didn’t realize it would start before we even entered the house. I did the only thing I could think of. I hooked her waist, spun her around to face me, and pulled her tightly against me. She looked up at me in surprise as I covered her lips with mine. She attempted to back away, but I wasn’t about to allow that to happen. Soon enough, she gave in and molded her body to mine, moving her hands into my hair and combing through the strands. “You are not fat,” I whispered. “You’re perfect.” I kissed her again before she could argue. A moan escaped her lips when I gripped her ass and pulled her even closer. “Holy hell.” A deep voice broke our trance, and I looked up to see Dean standing in the doorway. “Usually when I watch porn, I have a beer too. Can you two freeze right there and let me grab one?” Greer pulled back and quickly straightened her shirt, her cheeks reddening with embarrassment. Dean took the chance to look her over, and watching my brother checking out my girl pissed me off. “Eyes off, asshole.” I practically growled the words. He chuckled but didn’t stop his perusal. “I’m Dean,” he said, reaching a hand toward Greer. “The younger and much better version.” “Better my ass. You still live at your parents’ place,” I added, pushing his hand away before he could touch her. “That’s because I still haven’t found the right woman to lead me away yet,” he said while smiling at Greer. “I’m looking for something special. Something like this pretty lady. I could definitely see the appeal of waking up each morning to see this beauty lying next to me.” “Do you like your teeth, dick?” I asked, causing them to finally look at me. Greer’s eyes were wide in shock, but Dean only smiled as if he had just accomplished some type of goal. “Why?” Dean asked.

“Because if you don’t stop talking about my girl the way you are, I’m gonna knock the fuckers straight out of that smartass mouth of yours.” “Darren.” Greer touched my arm, obviously concerned. “It’s okay.” “Yeah, Darren.” Dean reached out before I could stop him and pulled her toward him. “It’s okay.” Greer looked back at me over his shoulder in confusion as he walked into the house with my woman in tow, and I fisted my hands at my sides. That ass was gonna be flat on his back before the night was over, and not in the way he preferred to spend his evenings. I found myself smiling at the thought of his pained expression.

Chapter 18

Greer I should have stopped it. I shouldn’t have allowed Dean to keep needling Darren, but I won’t lie; it felt good to see him bothered that another man was showing me attention. Yes, his brother was only doing it because he clearly loved getting under Dean’s skin, but that didn’t matter. Darren was possessive, and I loved it. But when Dean took the seat next to me at the dinner table leaving Darren to sit in the only remaining chair, which was across from me, I swear I saw fire shoot from Darren’s eyes. His neck and ears were a shade of red I had yet to see on him, which I suspected meant he was about to do something I didn’t want to witness. I was shocked and dumbfounded when his parents laughed as Darren rounded the table, griped the collar of his brother’s shirt, and practically dragged him from the dining room. Even Violet and Vivian seemed amused. No one showed any reaction at all when a grunt came from the kitchen, followed but what sounded like something falling to the floor. Or someone. “Those boys” was all his mother offered as she began dishing potatoes onto the girls’ plates. Still smiling, she moved on to the steamed broccoli. I was startled when the chair next to me was yanked back and Darren took his brother’s place. He seemed winded, and I was still too shocked to ask about what had just happened. “Let’s eat,” he said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation of the feast his mother had prepared. I just stared at him in disbelief, waiting for him, or anyone for that matter, to mention what had just happened, but no one said a word. The only indication there was even a scuffle was when Dean returned with a good-sized red mark just under his eye and took the chair opposite me. “Told ya I’d knock ya on your ass if you continued,” Darren said before popping a piece of bread he hand torn from his roll into his mouth. “I let ya,” Dean said as he forked a slice of ham and slid it onto his plate. “I didn’t want to embarrass you in front of the pretty lady by showing her what a wuss she was dating.” Darren was amused and his tension was now gone as he placed his arm over the back of my chair and let his fingertips graze my shoulder possessively. I turned my head to look at him just as he moved in to place a kiss to my lips. It was simple and sweet, but the meaning was clear. He was telling his brother that the game was over. He had won. *** “I adore your Aunt Stella,” Darren’s mother, Fiona, said as she and I moved to the living room after dinner. “She and your uncle were so helpful during our holiday event at the marina.”

I smiled because that was my do-gooder Aunt Stella. She loved to help anyone in need. “Your grandmother, now she is my kind of woman,” she added, and I could just imagine the two of them together. Oh my, what a trip that would be. “They’re good people,” I said, because they are. Vivian and Violet entered the living room and came right over to me, and I didn’t hesitate to bring them in closer. I let Violet crawl onto my lap and tucked Viv against my side with my arm over her shoulder. I looked up to find Darren’s mother watching us closely. “Those two are crazy about you,” she said, and my heart beat rapidly. “I adore them too,” I told her. “All three of them sort of took over my heart almost instantly.” “He has some very deep feelings for you too,” she added as she looked to her left toward the kitchen, where the guys still were. I should have felt weird having this kind of talk with Darren’s mother, but in a way I felt like she was one of the family by now. She resembled the women in my world so much that it was hard not to be comfortable around her, even though I was a little unsure at first. And yes, in the back of my mind, I was still a bit worried she thought I was a porker, but she also had made me feel at ease around her. “I’m gonna get real with you for a minute while I have the chance,” she added, and suddenly the comfortable feeling I was just settling into became nervous energy. My stomach knotted up and my mouth went dry instantly. Was this the point in the evening where she’d tell me that she thought I was all wrong for her son? I nodded, squeezing the girls a little tighter, using their closeness to stay settled and grounded, even though they were both so engrossed in the TV show we were watching that I don’t think they heard a word we were saying. “After Lynn passed I think we were all scared Darren would never recover. He hit rock bottom so fast that at one point, Lynn’s parents along with Larry and myself were debating which of us would step in and take the girls if he couldn’t look after them. The weeks after her burial were a rough, scary time.” Tears formed in my eyes as I imagined the hardship he’d faced and the suffering he’d gone through. “But at some point, he found the strength he needed to get back up and take care of the two lives they created together.” She looked at her granddaughters, probably thinking the same thing I was. These special girls had saved their father. “Until now, I never thought he’d move on. I figured he would just focus his life on his girls and that would be it.” I looked up from the blonde beauties to find she was once again looking at me. “I see the way he looks at you,” she added. “He’s happy, and as a mother I love to see that look in his eyes. Darren is a good man.” “He is,” I agreed without hesitation. “I’m glad he found you.” Her words made my heart ache in the greatest of ways. I wanted to buy her something big and expensive to express my gratitude. The conversation ended on that note as Darren and Dean entered the room, followed by their father. The two boys were playfully shoving at one another, and I felt better about the events that took place earlier. They clearly had no hard feelings toward each other. Darren wiggled into the spot at my side and created more space to get closer to me by lifting Vivian onto his lap.

“What are you girls talking about?” he asked, looking between his mother and me. When neither of us answered, he tickled my side. “Just girl talk.” I squealed, wriggling away and feeling slightly embarrassed at my reaction. “Mom meddles,” Dean said from across the room. “She fishes and keeps pushing ’til she gets what she needs, then she pokes atcha a little more to get any last bits of info she can.” Fiona narrowed her eyes, then smiled knowingly. She was clearly proud of her information-gathering abilities. But even though she got on her boys’ nerves, she was a good woman, and after spending time with her, I knew she was largely responsible for Darren’s ability to treat a woman well. “Why don’t your father and I keep the girls tonight?” she asked, regaining Darren’s attention and my own. “I’d like to have a movie night with my granddaughters, and the two of you could enjoy some adult time.” She wagged her eyebrows suggestively, and I bowed my head to hide the heat rising in my cheeks. She so did not just do that. “Smooth, Ma,” Darren said with a chuckle. “What?” she asked innocently, as if seeing nothing wrong with her choice of words. “Every adult needs adult time. Your father and I get to have—” “I don’t wanna hear about your adult time with Dad,” Darren announced as he held his hand up in protest. “Neither do I,” Dean added. “I’ve walked in on those times more than I can count. I think that’s what’s wrong with me. Those things can damage a kid.” “You’re not a kid anymore,” Larry said from his recliner as he focused on the television. “Maybe not now, but I was the first time I found you and Ma using the kitchen table for something other than eating.” Dean faked a shiver, and I laughed. “I was eating,” Larry added with an amused grin. “Ah hell no,” Darren groaned. “What?” his father asked, finally taking his eyes off the television. “If I’m expected to have adult time with my lady, I sure as shit don’t need those types of images in my mind.” I was amazed at how freely both men spoke to their parents about such intimate moments. “Okay, Larry, that’s enough,” Fiona said. “We’re messing with our sons’ performance.” Oh my, it just kept getting better—or worse.

Chapter 19

Darren We were on our way back to my place after telling the girls and my parents good night. Dean left long ago, I assume to find his next conquest. I wasn’t sure he would ever find the true meaning of finding that one special person. To him being tied to one woman forever only limited his options. He was a fool. I looked over at Greer, unable to contain my smile. She looked gorgeous, yet her quietness since we left made a little concerned. She continued to look out the passenger window at the passing cars and scenery, as if lost in thought. I could only imagine the things that were rolling around in her mind after leaving the nuthouse. Not that I blamed her. Most of the time, my own brain felt scrambled after a visit with my mother. The woman could be exhausting at times. “So did they scare you off?” I asked, suddenly feeling nervous that she might say yes. She turned to face me with a smile stretched across her lips, surprising me. “They’re great.” She laughed as she placed her hand on my thigh. I swear I felt her touch in every single nerve in my body, like a jolt of excitement. “You mother is hilarious and reminds me so much of my gran. Your dad is quiet, but I think that’s because Fiona does most of his talking for him. And he’s completely okay with that, which only makes me like him more. He adores your mother. It’s so cute.” I slowed to a stop at the light and placed my hand over hers as relief washed over me. “You didn’t really punch your brother, did you?” She looked concerned, but I grinned wide, remembering the look on the asshole’s face when my fist was flying at him. “Hell yes,” I said with a chuckle, “and I’d do it again too.” “Darren,” she gasped. “What? The dick had it coming. He was testing me, it’s how he is.” She looked torn, and I needed her to understand this was common for me and my brother. He and I almost always had some type of brotherly conflict we quickly pushed aside after one or both of us reached our breaking point. It just so happened I reached it first and his face paid for it this time. “He now knows to keep his eyes and hands off you,” I said, squeezing her hand. “That was nothing, babe, honestly. Don’t worry about it.” She looked as if she wanted to say more, but chose to remain quiet instead. The rest of the ride to my house was silent except for the soft sounds of the radio. I kept my hand firmly over hers the entire time. When we got back, I hit the garage door opener above the visor and looked at her. Still nothing, as she continued to look out the passenger-side window.

“Greer.” When her eyes were locked on mine, I lifted my hand from hers and touched her cheek. Her eyes closed as she leaned in to my touch. “Will you stay with me tonight?” I asked as I skimmed my thumb over her lower lip. A gentle nod the only answer she gave. *** I wandered down the hall toward my bedroom after locking up for the night. Greer had gone ahead of me, and I’d told her I’d be there soon. Now here I stood in the doorway of my bedroom, looking in at Greer, whose body was highlighted by the light streaming in from the hall behind me. She wore only her shirt from earlier, which pulled tight across her chest, revealing she was no longer wearing a bra beneath. The panties peeking out from under the hem did very little to hide what lay beneath. My hands ached to touch her, to please her, but I refrained, instead taking the time to appreciate the gorgeous woman before me. “Hi,” she whispered as she took a few steps in my direction. “Hi,” I said, seeing a playful gleam in her eyes when she paused only a few feet away. Greer lifted her hands to the waist of my jeans and began unfastening the button with trembling fingers. The gentle touch of her fingertips against my stomach had me reacting instantly. I was already hard from seeing her standing in my room when I entered, but now, from the mixture of her scent and touch, I was beyond ready to take her. I’ve craved her every second since our first time together. Waiting for this moment was the hardest thing I’d ever done. But tonight, we had all night, and I planned on taking full advantage of our time alone. I gripped the back of her neck and pulled her lips to mine, taking her mouth and owning it. The sweet taste of her lips and the way her soft tongue mingled with mine had me moaning almost instantly. My hunger for her only seemed to grow. It was so intense that my body began to tremble with desire. She continued to toy with my pants, and I didn’t stop her. I wanted control, I wanted to take and take and keep taking, and I wanted to hear her scream for more, but I gave in to her instead. I controlled my urges as I continued to kiss her, driving us both to heights I could already tell would be explosive. She pulled back from our kiss, and my nostrils flared as I fought the urge to demand more. Images swarmed my mind of pinning her to the bed and giving her no other option but to allow me what I needed, but I controlled them, even though doing that was hard. I closed my eyes when she began to kiss along my jaw and down my neck. My heart raced and my need for her only grew. I moaned when I felt her tongue glide across the base of my neck, and she began to move lower, over my chest and along my stomach. She placed a kiss along the space just above the band of my boxer briefs. She paused there for only a moment, but it was long enough for my mind to come into focus. I realized then that she had begun moving my jeans and boxers down. I looked to the floor and found the woman of my dreams kneeling there, looking up at me with those gorgeous blue eyes, the same blue eyes that had entranced me from the first time I saw her perched upon her balcony looking down at me and my girls like a princess. As she fisted my hardness in her hands, her eyes remained locked on mine. This was one of the few

moments in my life where I’d felt weak, lost, and unable to breathe. I was speechless as my heart raced so fast I felt like I may crumple to the floor. I whimpered when she licked her lips. Yes, fucking whimpered. And when she took my cock into her mouth, I had to brace myself against the doorframe. Had I not, I would’ve surely melted to the floor. “Baby,” I moaned, reaching out with my other hand to push back the hair that had fallen into my eyes. I didn’t want to miss a moment of this. She took charge and owned me in that moment. Giving up control felt foreign to me, but I’d give it to Greer over and over if it meant I’d see that hunger in her eyes. My head spun with each stroke of her tongue, each soft suck from her lips. My toes curled into the carpet and my thighs tensed as I did all I could to refrain from blowing. She was lethal.

Chapter 20

Greer Darren was unbelievable. He was without a doubt the most giving, attentive lover I’d ever had. He took —oh my, did he take—but he also gave so much that my body felt like it was made of Jell-O. Holy hell, the pump-pump-swivel-pump thing he did with his hips was sinful. The sinful swivel, that’s what I’d call it, I decided. My mind was cloudy, and I swear I could barely remember to breathe. “Don’t hold back on me, Greer,” Darren said in that demanding tone I’d grown to love. I never thought I’d like a man to be so take-charge, but I was so wrong. “Give it to me, baby. Let go.” He pumped his hips, pinning me to the bed, hitting the spot I needed the most. I fisted the sheets at my sides as I bit down on my lower lip. “Look at me.” His voice sounded strained. I opened my eyes instantly and found him hovering above, his gaze locked on mine. “Let go with me,” he repeated, and I could feel my body obeying. “Yes,” I screamed as I began to quake all over. My legs locked tight around his waist, and my squeezing did nothing to slow his movements. “Fuck,” he growled as he dug his fingers into my hips. There was no way I wouldn’t have bruises from the way he squeezed me, but they would be more than worth it. He threw his head back as his hips drove forward hard and fast, and I knew he was on the path to completion. Watching the pleasure on his face gave me such a strong sense of satisfaction. I loved that I was the one he took pleasure from. I felt possessive of all things Darren, and I wanted to be the only person he ever felt this with. His body collapsed over mine as he tucked his face into the crook of my neck. Hard, exhausted breaths fanned over my neck and chest. His chest heaved, and the sheen of sweat that layered our skin made us appear sticky. It was perfect. “You’re addictive,” he cooed before leaving a soft kiss on my collarbone. A smile took over my lips at his acknowledgment. “And though my mind is screaming, ‘Do it again,’ my body is telling me I need a break.” I was aching myself, but if he’d said he was up for another round, I’d be all for it. I knew exactly what he meant about addicting. But my aching body was silently singing praise for the time-out. “I want to hold you just like this,” he whispered as he rolled off me and pulled me closer. “All night and into the morning.” He kissed my shoulder as I backed up into his body, cocooning myself in the little pocket he created for me. His chest was pressed to my back, his arms curled around me, and his face rested in the curve of my neck. His lips skimmed over my shoulder as he curled his legs over mine.

“Just like this,” he whispered, sounding tired. “Your body fits so perfect with mine. Like you were always meant to be in my arms.” My chest ached. He could go from being so extremely dirty to being swoon-worthy sweet within seconds. “I’m so thankful you found your way into my life. You make everything so much better. You make me feel alive again,” he murmured, and I could tell he was on the edge of sleepiness. “Don’t leave, Greer. Stay here, because we need you.” Instantly I felt as if I couldn’t catch my breath. My chest felt so tight, and then the slow, aching tears fell. He wanted me. He needed me. And all fear aside, I needed him and his girls too. *** I woke feeling better than I could ever remember feeling before: relaxed and calm, as if my biggest worry was what I’d have for breakfast. The man lying at my side looked just as peaceful as I felt. I rolled over in his arms to face him and take him in. A gentle snore left his lips as he curled in closer, snuggling me. I’d come to the conclusion that Darren was the best snuggler. My phone rang, and I tried to wiggle away to answer it, but Darren wasn’t having it. “Stay,” he said without opening his eyes. “Whoever is on that phone can wait. I need you here more.” I felt a familiar flutter low in my stomach as I allowed him to pull me in as close as he possibly could. He opened his eyes just enough to locate my lips before pressing a gentle kiss against them. He smirked in satisfaction, because he knew in that moment that he’d won. He was right; I’d return that call later. Right now, we needed this moment more.

Chapter 21

Darren They sounded muffled and far away, but I was sure I heard giggles. I felt like I had a built-in radar when it came to my girls. When I reached my hand out to the space where Greer slept, it was cold and empty. Disappointment filled my chest. I rolled onto my back and listened to the voices in the other room. Giggles mixed with high-pitched squeals, and in the center of it all…my mother. My mother? Looking down at myself, I found I was still naked from the night before, and then a thought hit me. My mother had a key. Oh shit. I scrambled from the bed in search of sweats, shorts, anything to cover myself. After dressing, I jogged from my room and down the hall, and I came to a skidding stop in the entryway of the living room. Greer sat on the couch, looking as if she’d gone through a tornado. Her hair was sticking up in all directions, and a big red shirt covered her upper body and hung down on one shoulder. I recognized it as the shirt I’d worn to dinner last night. And swallowing the lower half of her body was the pair of sweatpants I’d just been looking for. “Well at least I don’t have to see your goods again.” I pulled my gaze from Greer to look at my mother. Her ear-to-ear smile told me all I needed to know. She had walked into my bedroom and found Greer and me indisposed, so to speak. I looked between my mother and Greer. Her cheeks were red with embarrassment, and again I found myself asking how much crazy one woman could take before she ran for safety. “Greer is embarrassed, but I told her there’s no need for that,” my mother said, standing from the couch and moving toward me. “She has great hips, and her brea—” I held up my hand. “Stop,” I said, knowing exactly where this conversation would lead. “Well anyway,” my mother said with a knowing smirk, “the girls were ready to come home. So I thought, why bother you two when I could drop them off myself?” And snoop. But I kept that thought to myself. That familiar what the hell just happened? look was written all over Greer’s face as my mother gave us both a kiss on the cheek and both girls a hug before leaving. I felt the same way. It was hard to miss the whirlwind that was Fiona Griffin. “In her defense, you really do have great hips, and immaculate—” Greer held up her hand to shush me and narrowed her eyes, but I saw that she was faking her irritation.

She wanted to appear taken aback, but she couldn’t hide her fondness for my mother. She stood from the couch and twisted the excess material of the sweatpants she had bunched in her hand. Her sweet body was lost in the gray mess. As she waddled past me toward the bedroom, trying to keep from tripping over the material pooled around her ankles, I couldn’t hide my chuckle. “Daddy?” Vivian tugged on my shorts, gaining my full attention. “What, darling?” I knelt so I was at her level. “Can we have movie night? Grandma and Grandpa fell asleep before the first movie was over and we didn’t get the special popcorn.” Movie night just wasn’t movie night without the special popcorn. “She said she was out of M&M’s.” Vivian’s eyes widened as if that was the end of the world. And in the eyes of a four-year-old, I guess it would be. “I think we need a redo, then,” I told her, and her frown morphed into a grin. “And Greer?” she asked hopefully just as Greer returned, dressed in her clothes from the night before. “Yes,” I said, looking at the beautiful woman before me. “Greer will be here too.” She arched a brow as if to say, Oh will I, now? But she had no say in this. I wasn’t ready to have my king-size bed to myself. I wasn’t sure after last night I’d ever want to sleep alone again. Greer felt too good pressed against my body. Before she could say a word, or I had the chance to explain, the girls swarmed her. Jumping up and down, they shouted about pillows and tents. Violet screamed, “Chocolate!” her eyes wide with excitement. I swear she was two seconds from drooling. What can I say? Movie nights were lifesavers for me and the girls during the rough times after Lynn died. And after a while, they became a necessity, a saving grace that gave us a chance to bond and comfort that we were desperate for. Yes, I was one of those men that knew more about animated movies then action films, but I was okay with that. I was man enough to admit it and to continue to watch them, some over and over. I knew my girls would one day outgrow having special times like these with me. So for as long as they allowed me to be this close to them, I would gladly do it.

Chapter 22

Greer I stood to the side as I watched Darren and his girls move around the kitchen with ease. It was mesmerizing, really. Tiny Violet glided from one place to the next, a large bag of M&M’s in one hand and a jar of popcorn kernels in the other. They didn’t do things the easy way by throwing a bag of popcorn into the microwave. Nope, they actually made popping popcorn a group event using oil, kernels, and an old-fashioned popcorn popper. On the counter sat a bowl large enough for an army, into which they now poured to the freshly popped kernels. “I wanna do it this time,” Violet said, bouncing around next to Darren. “No, me,” Vivian added as she moved in closer to Darren’s other side. I had a feeling a full-blown drama attack was in the making and used this as my cue to step in. “What are we doing now, girls?” I asked from the opposite side of the counter as I leaned my upper body over and peeked into the bowl. “We get to add the sweet,” Vivian stated proudly. “The sweet, huh?” I asked as I looked up at Darren curiously. He winked and stood back quietly, allowing the girls to explain. “Daddy says life is full of sour, salty moments, but you should always look for the sweet in each day.” Vivian smiled, and I looked over at Violet as she nodded enthusiastically. “Sweet,” Violet said brightly as she shook the bag of M&M’s she held in her hand. “So you put those in there?” I asked, pointing to the popcorn. “Yep,” the girls said in unison. “Violet did it last time. It’s my turn,” Vivian said in her best big-girl voice. Violet pulled the M&M’s closer to her chest and wrinkled up her face defiantly. “No.” “Girls,” Darren started, but I looked up at him and smiled. “I have an idea,” I said to the girls as I continued to look at him. Stepping back farther, he crossed his arms over his chest and watched. I pushed off the counter and rounded the end, where I reached into the dish drainer and grabbed two cups. I positioned myself between the girls and placed one cup in front of each of them on the counter. “Can I see those?” I asked Violet, and she gripped the bag tighter. “Please? I promise I’m letting you add some to the popcorn.” That seemed to do the trick, and I couldn’t help but smile as she held out the bag to me. I took it from her and cut open the corner with the scissors. I held the opened end over Violet’s cup and poured as she leaned in to watch them accumulate. When I’d added what I believed to be enough, I did the

same to Vivian’s cup. After giving both girls as equal amount, I closed the bag with a twist tie and placed it on the counter. The girls looked at their cups, then at me questioningly. “Now you can both add the candy,” I told them. Their smiles as they lifted their cups were contagious. I loved being able to bring them happiness. I was beginning to truly understand just how easy it was to grow addicted to their sweet smiles. As they added their candy to the popcorn, I jumped in surprise when Darren slid his hands around my waist. As he stepped up behind me and linked his hands over my stomach, I leaned my back against his chest. “Have I told you today just how amazing you are?” he whispered next to my ear, making my eyes flutter shut. “You are unbelievable.” Keeping my eyes closed, I accepted his praise. I was amazed at how a simple compliment from this man could make me feel like I was invincible. “Thank you,” I whispered in return as I tilted my head to the side and practically melted when his lips skimmed over the side of my neck. I was falling in love with this man. “Thank you, beautiful,” he said, “for everything.” *** The girls were like little machines. Popcorn-eating, movie-watching machines. They were on their third movie, and I’d lost count of how much popcorn they had consumed. I had to admit the salty-sweet combination was definitely tasty. I wondered how I would be able to eat plain popcorn again. Darren sat on the floor, leaning against the couch with his legs parted just enough that Violet’s little body fit snuggly between them. Vivian lay at his left side, and I lay at his right. He was our safe space. I could feel my body fighting against the urge to sleep, but I didn’t want to miss a moment of this wonderful evening. But the peaceful feeling consumed me, and before long I gave in, letting my eyes flutter shut.

Chapter 23

Darren Spending the evening enjoying the simplest of things with my girls and Greer felt amazing and completely natural. I don’t know how I was able to get all three of them to bed without waking them, but somehow I managed. I kissed both of my girls good night before joining Greer in bed. Sliding beneath the covers and pulling her body back against mine felt natural too. She let out a little sigh when I wrapped my arms around her. Breathing in her sweet scent, I realized this would be the perfect end to each day. It was crazy how the right person could change your outlook on everything. A few months ago, I never would have thought I’d want this. Hell, I never thought I would feel such a connection to another woman. But I was feeling things for Greer that should have terrified me. The next morning I let her sleep in while I got up with the girls. They came up with the idea of making her breakfast in bed, and their excitement made everything even clearer. They were in love with this angel too. I was in the middle of whipping up the batter for the waffles when I heard Vivian talking. “Our Greer is sleeping,” she said, “in Daddy’s bed.” I wondered who in the hell she could be speaking to. And for a moment, I thought maybe my mother had let herself in again. I placed the spatula down on the counter and checked on Violet, who was rearranging the flowers she picked for Greer in a plastic vase. Figuring it was safe to leave her alone, I rounded the corner to the living room and found my daughter lounging back in the recliner, one hand holding Greer’s phone to the ear while the other held the TV controller. She looked relaxed as she listened to whoever was on the other end of the conversation. “Yes,” she said as I moved in closer, “she kisses my daddy, a lot.” Well, it would appear my daughter pays very close attention. Without announcing my presence, I walked over and took the phone from her hand. “Hey,” she hollered as she grabbed for it, “I was talking to him.” “Him?” I asked, suddenly very curious about this “him.” “Yes,” she said as she squared her shoulders. “Tucker.” I lifted the phone to my ear. “Hello,” I said through clenched teeth. I had a feeling I knew exactly who this Tucker person was. “I was calling for Greer,” an annoyed man said. “Can you get her?” “She’s sleeping,” I told him. And even if she wasn’t, I sure as shit wasn’t going to “get her.” “So I’ve heard,” he said arrogantly. “And you must be Daddy.” His tone pissed me off. But instead of firing back, I waited for the asshole to continue.

“Listen, I’m not sure what Greer has told you, or how she met you for that matter, but she and I have a history. One you won’t understand.” I snorted in humor. “Well, how I met Greer really isn’t your business. But for the record, I do know about your so-called history.” “Good.” He sounded pleased that I knew he’d been a part of Greer’s life. It was now time to burst his little fucking bubble. I walked down the hall to the den, knowing that holding my tongue and keeping my words G-rated was going to be next to impossible. I was already feeling on guard and completely territorial. I tend to get a little loose-lipped with certain words when that happened. It was best my girls didn’t hear what I had to say to this asshole. “I know you had a chance to be with an amazing, gorgeous, perfect woman and you fucked it up.” I smiled as he spluttered in outrage. “And now your loss is my gain. Because I’m not a stupid man. I realize a great thing when I see it, and Greer is my version of perfection. So I guess I should thank you for being a dumbass that can’t keep his dick tucked in his pants.” A satisfying silence set in, and I smiled, knowing I’d just knocked him down a few notches. “So as my daughter told you already, Greer is sleeping. In my bed,” I added, deciding to make one last little jab. “So if Greer wants to talk to you, she’ll call you when she wakes.” I ended the call, feeling my own possessiveness take over. There was no way in hell I was letting go of that woman in the next room. Not for Tucker or anyone else. If she hadn’t already figured it out, then it was my responsibility to make sure she understood just how much I needed her here with me. *** I allowed the girls to wake Greer as I followed behind them with a tray of the food they’d created on their own: waffles topped with whipped cream and strawberries, toast Violet insisted be covered in grape jelly, and scrambled eggs, because Vivian said the runny ones were “just gross.” She even wrinkled up her nose and faked a shiver while explaining why she’d never eat a runny egg. The girls couldn’t decide what we should give Greer to drink, so we gave her all three options: milk, juice, and coffee. The girls’ excitement and Greer’s emotional response when she found out what we had done made my chest tighten. I was torn between telling her about the call from Tucker or just deleting it from her call log. My chatty four-year-old made the decision for me. “Tucker said you aren’t a morning person, but I told him you’re always happy here.” A look of confusion and panic took over Greer’s happy expression. “He called your phone this morning and Vivian decided to answer,” I said, trying to hide my irritation at the simple mention of the douche bag’s name. “She told him you were asleep in her daddy’s bed.” I studied her for any signs I should be worried, and relief washed over me when a small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. The idea of her regretting what we had been building for even a moment could have crushed me, and I hated to think what it would do to my girls. “Well, Viv, you’re right,” she said as the girls moved in closer to her sides. “I am very happy here. And

your daddy’s bed is so warm and cozy. It’s actually my most favorite place to sleep now.” “Mine too,” Violet hollered as she scurried beneath the covers and cocooned her body in them. We all gathered around and shared the goodness on the tray. Even Violet got her share from her blanket cocoon, giggling in delight as Greer snuck her bites. Still, I knew we would have to talk about Tucker and what his call meant. I needed to know if she had feelings for him that could hold her back from creating a life with me. But for now, I would just enjoy this time together. Because this was just another happy memory that I only hoped would help her understand just how much she belonged here, with us.

Chapter 24

Greer Multiple times throughout the day, I caught Darren staring off into space, as if he was lost in thought. It was unnerving. I wasn’t naïve enough to believe this had nothing to do with Tucker’s call that morning. I’d been avoiding his incessant calls and texts for weeks now. I had nothing to say to him, yet he kept trying to butt his way back into my life. I was happy here. For the first time in such a long time, I felt needed and wanted, and I knew what it truly felt like to have a man value you. Tucker had never offered that to me, and he’d never felt about me the way I now knew without a doubt that Darren did. When Darren suddenly said he had to go check on a jobsite I’d never heard him mention before, I knew we needed to talk. I paced my living room for fifteen minutes, holding my phone in my hand as I ran over the words I wanted to say, changing them, then changing them again. Before I left St. Louis, I thought I’d made it clear to Tucker that I no longer felt anything for him, not even friendship. But apparently he needed more clarification. Taking in a deep breath, I dialed, then slowly released the air from my lungs as the phone rang. Tucker picked up on the second ring with a rushed hello. “I’ve been calling you and texting you,” he said, sounding defeated. “Your mom said you were staying in Carolina Beach.” Apparently, my mother and I needed to have a talk about why my location wasn’t Tucker’s business. “The fact I never responded should have told you that I have nothing to say to you.” I still paced the room, looking for the strength and maturity I needed to get through this conversation without telling him to go to hell or that I hoped his dick turned black and fell off. “I said all I needed to before I left,” I added. “I’m sorry I hurt you, god damn it. What do I have to do?” He took in a deep breath. “We’ve known each other our entire lives, Greer. Too many years to just pretend we never knew one another. And I know I fucked up, but I don’t want to lose you.” He was doing what he always did. I could see that now. He only wanted me because he knew someone else was interested. He’d played this game with me for years, only now I wouldn’t fall for it. “I’m happy, Tucker,” I said, ignoring his words. “Truly happy. In fact I can’t remember ever being happier.” “Happy,” he said with snort. “Playing house with some guy you barely know.” He was such a cocky prick. “The guy has kids, Greer. Kids with a woman that no matter how hard you try, you can never replace. This is just a summer fling to him, nothing serious. You’re a fucking pastime. That’s all.”

I wanted to argue, but his words only made a knot form in my stomach. “It’s not real, and one day you’ll wake up and the entire thing will be over. You’ll be forced to face the reality that you were only living in a dream world.” “You’re an asshole, Tucker,” I said, disgusted I’d ever thought he was a decent guy. “You may think I’m an asshole, but I’m not, Greer. I’m just the only person being honest with you. You need to realize this thing you have going with this guy isn’t real before you wake up one day with a broken heart and have no one to blame but yourself.” “Not every man is you, Tucker,” I shot back venomously. “Not every guy thinks with his dick instead of his heart.” I ended the call before he could place any further doubts in my mind. Was I just playing house? Was I on the path toward a broken heart? *** I’d been on edge all afternoon. Immediately after I ended the call, the phone began to ring again and didn’t stop for hours. My nervous energy was off the charts. To try and contain it, I did things around the house that didn’t really need to be done. I scrubbed the bathroom floor, intent on getting a stain to come up that I’m sure had been there for years. And I guarantee the windows had never been this clean. I was a mess both physically and emotionally. My relationship with Darren couldn’t possibly be a fling. Could it? He was an amazing guy, and he didn’t have to say the things he’d said to me. Nothing had forced him to take the steps he had. And if this was nothing but a summer fling, then why would he risk breaking his girls’ hearts? I may not know everything about him, but I knew Darren could never place them in such a situation. Violet and Vivian were his whole life. A knock on the front door had me spinning around from the kitchen sink, where I was currently scrubbing away at the knickknacks I’d found on the windowsill. They were covered in dust, and it was irritating me. The water sloshed onto the floor, and in my attempt to hurry toward the door, I slipped on it. I caught myself on the edge of the countertop, grabbed a dishtowel, and tossed it over the puddle. Taking a calming breath, I moved toward the front door just as another knock came. When I yanked it open, I was surprised to find Darren standing just on the other side. He’d been in such a rush to leave this morning that I figured I wouldn’t see him again until late this evening. He had become such a huge part of my everyday life that being away from him and the girls made me feel off-kilter. “Hi,” I said as I lifted my hand to my hair to flatten the crazy mess I knew it must have become. When he stepped in, crowding my space, I backed up, but he wasn’t about to let me get away that easy. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close. “I need to know something,” he said as he held my gaze intently. His eyes were tense and focused. “What?” I asked, wondering where his current mood was coming from. “I need to know if you still have feelings for him,” he said, his gaze never leaving mine. “It’s too late for me to walk away from this unscathed, and it’s too late for my girls not to miss you like crazy, so I’m hoping like hell your answer is no.” He cupped my cheek with his other hand. “But I need to know the

truth.” I shook my head, suddenly feeling as if the room were much smaller than it was. “No,” I said, my voice much higher pitched than normal. My heart was racing. “What Tucker and I had was nothing. We were just two people that had been friends for so long we actually convinced ourselves we were meant to be more.” I wanted him to believe me. I needed him to. “I’d never want anything bad to happen to him, but he and I are nothing more than two people who once were friends.” His gaze raked over my face as he stroked his fingertips over my cheek, toward my lips. His silence was unnerving. I wanted to know what he was feeling. What he was thinking. “I’m worried,” he finally whispered, and my heart ached. Darren felt threatened by the very little Tucker and I shared. And that was heartbreaking.

Chapter 25

Darren Now that I was home, my worries had only intensified “Worried about what?” Greer asked. I could see the confusion in her eyes. If only she could feel what I felt when I looked at her. If only she could understand for just a moment how much I truly cared for her. I knew what it felt like to be robbed of the time you should have been given, robbed of a life you thought you’d have. A traumatic event like losing someone you love makes you realize that wasted time is something you can never get back. “I’m worried that what I feel for you and the things I want for us is one-sided,” I confessed. “I’m worried this was all just a way for you to forget what you left behind. A way to disappear for a while.” “No,” she said in a rush, surprising me. Her hands shot up to cup the sides of my face, and I closed my eyes, loving her touch. “This is not a game to me. I would never hurt you or your girls by playing with your emotions.” Relief washed over me as I leaned forward and pressed my lips to hers. I’d spent the day in my office missing her as I stared at paperwork, too lost in thought and worry to truly see a word. I wanted to be with her, yet I’d felt like I needed the time to think. Now the only thing I could think about was how I wasted an entire day I could have spent with her. “You once asked me what we’d do when you had to go home.” The idea of her leaving made my chest ache uncontrollably. “I don’t want you to go,” I added before kissing her once again. “I want you to stay.” I was never surer of anything than what I was telling her. The idea of her leaving was unbearable. “Make a life here, Greer,” I said, “with me and with my girls. Make a life here with us.” When I pulled back enough to look into her eyes, I was surprised to find they were glistening with unshed tears. Her lower lip trembled as she looked back at me intently. I felt just as emotional as she looked, and I was almost desperate to hear her say yes. “You want me to stay?” she asked, and her question surprised me. Had she not realized by now that what I felt for her was real? “Yes, that’s what I want, Angel.” I brushed my lips over hers once more. “It’s what I need more than anything. I need you here, baby.” She slid her hands through my hair, gripped the back of my neck, and pressed her lips to mine. “Yes,” she whispered. “Staying with the three of you is what I want.” I could taste the saltiness of her tears as they ran over her cheeks and pooled where our lips were joined. I walked toward the couch only a few feet away, backing her up as I moved. When the backs of her legs hit the cushions, she sat down, taking me with her. Covering her body with mine, I took what she

gave because I, too, was desperate for the connection. Greer parted her legs and hooked them over my hips, holding my body tightly to hers. When she began grinding her hips upward, the moment quickly began to heat up. Growing hard, I pressed my own hips forward, assuring her I also felt this desperation and uncontrollable desire. “I need you,” she cooed. “I’ve missed you.” The fact she was still eager for our connection even though it had been less than forty-eight hours since I was last inside her eased my doubts again. I’d given her the opportunity to back out of this, to admit this was only a fun summer away from her troubles, but she assured me it was more. And that was all I needed to hear. “I missed you too,” I confessed, and I truly had. *** I watched the expression of pure pleasure on Greer’s face as she hovered above me. Her hips swiveled as she rode me. I’d never seen anything more beautiful than the way she bit her lip with her cheeks flushed as she squeezed her eyes shut tight. I put my hands on her hips and let her continue to move as I felt her body beneath my palms. She was so soft and delicate, the definition of perfection. And in that moment, I knew our bodies became one as they connected. I’d fallen desperately in love with her, and I wanted her completely. Her eyes opened and her gaze locked on mine, and for a second I felt like she could hear my thoughts. A sweet, knowing smile crossed her lips just before she tensed around me. Her hips rocked as her nails dug into my chest. “Yes,” she panted. “Oh yes, Darren.” Just hearing my name fall from her lips was all it took for me to tumble over the edge. Squeezing her hips tighter, I began thrusting upward as my toes curled into the sheet beneath me, my legs tightened, and my back arched as I exploded inside her. An intense feeling of not only pleasure but completion washed over me. It felt incredible, like nothing I’d ever experienced before. Greer was it for me. In every way she was my perfect match.

Chapter 26

Greer “Do you hear that?” Darren said, his voice husky from sleep. “Hear what?” I asked as I curled in closer, trying to seek out the warmth I felt from his body against mine. I just wanted to spend the rest of the night snuggled up in bed together. His parents had taken the girls out for a day of shopping, and I felt we should take full advantage of our “adult time.” “Listen,” Darren said again as he sat up in bed, taking his body heat with him. I was awake and alert now, but it had absolutely nothing to do with the sound he thought he’d heard. Oh no. It did, however, have everything to do with the exposed hips and thighs that were now on full display. Have I mentioned just how much this man turns me on? “Greer,” he said as he placed his hand over mine, stopping me from further exploring his manly areas. “Seriously, babe, I think I heard someone yell.” I sat up next to him, holding the sheet to my bare chest. Both of us listened in silence. I was just about to tell him that he was obviously getting senile when I heard what he was referring to. “Honey, we’re home.” My eyes widened as the bedroom door flew open, and there in the doorway stood my gran. And if that in itself wasn’t already enough, my mother, my aunt, and my uncle were right behind her. I was mortified. “Lord have mercy,” Gran said as her gaze raked over Darren, who looked just as shocked as I was. “No wonder she wasn’t answering her phone. If I had me a man that looked half as good as this one, you all wouldn’t see me for weeks at a time. Only when I came up for air, and wine.” I covered my face with my hands, embarrassed that none of them seemed to have a problem with standing in the doorway while Darren and I were naked in bed. “Close the door,” I groaned in irritation. No one said a word. “Oh my hell, people, can you give us a few minutes?” I finally removed my hands and shot them a frustrated look. “Back it up, everyone,” Gran said with a smirk. “Little lady needs a few minutes alone with her hunky side of beef.” The door slowing closed, but Gran kept her eyes on Darren to the last second. She wasn’t taking a chance to miss a peek. “Oh look, it’s a pussy.” I gasped as my gran’s voice echoed through the hall just outside my room. “A sweet little pussy cat,”

she clarified, as if she could sense my embarrassment, and I hung my head once again, trying to figure out how in the hell I was born into this crazy-ass family. “Remember when I met your parents and you asked me if I was gonna run?” I asked Darren. “Yes,” he said, and I could hear the humor in his voice. “Now,” I replied, “now I want to run.” He chuckled deeply as he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me to him. Of course he’d find this funny. It was the same situation Fiona had found us in not too long ago. Only I had faced that one on my own. While he snored deeply, I shrieked when she appeared in the doorway of his room and smiled, as if finding her adult son and his lover in the aftermath of a wild night was business as usual. I will never be able to look her directly in the eyes again without remembering that very moment. The woman had seen my goodies, front and center. *** I was mortified. Completely at a loss. Not only was my uncle giving Darren an interrogating stare-down, but I had to deal with Gran undressing him with her eyes. The hair dye and fumes from all those years of getting perm after perm had gone to her brain. That was the only possible explanation. Was she panting? I leaned in closer trying to hear. Oh my God. She was. “So this is the man you’ve fallen for?” I jumped in surprise when my mother spoke mere inches away from my ear. I turned to look at her and almost bumped my nose against hers. She laughed as I jerked back and almost fell out of my chair. I wrinkled my nose in confusion, and Aunt Stella joined in, also finding the humor in my nervous behavior. “He has her all knotted up inside,” my aunt added, only making the embarrassing moment worse. “Or should I say loose and worn?” “You did not just say that.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “I used to think you were the sane one,” I told her, and she threw her head back as she laughed. “Oh, I said it,” she added through her laughter. “And I can tell I’m right. Oh honey, what I wouldn’t give for Uncle Mark to be able to ring my bell the way a young man like Darren is obviously ringing yours.” My eyes widened in surprise, because my sweet, little, quiet aunt was apparently not the woman I thought she was. Uncle Mark grunted in displeasure, which caught Gran’s attention. “I bet he didn’t ring your bell even when he was younger. He ain’t built for a good time.” She pointed at him. “He doesn’t have the motivation and drive to go at it for hours. Hell, I bet he barely made it through the first five minutes. Mark, did you ever even let my girl get to her peak before you grunted and rolled over?” My aunt and mother laughed again, and I was surprised by the deep chuckle Darren tried to muffle in

his fist. They were wearing off on him, and now I was mortified all over again. Poor Uncle Mark. I stood from my chair, rounded the table, and placed my hand on Uncle Mark’s shoulder. He looked up at me, and I could tell he wanted to run just as bad as I did. “I think a walk to the marina sounds like a good plan,” I said, looking at him and hoping he saw that I was trying to rescue him from this bat-shit crazy bunch. “What do you think?” Nodding, he stood to join me. “I think that sounds like a plan.” “Let me grab my jacket,” Gran said. “You,” I replied, pointing at her, “and you,” I added as I looked at Mom, Aunt Stella, and then over at Darren, “and you too. All of you did this. None of you are innocent. You are all not invited.” I saw the laughter in their eyes, and even though I wanted to smile in return, I held it back. Uncle Mark needed someone in his corner. And I needed a break from all this insanity. Being in Fiona’s presence would be a walk in the park compared to my current company. I practically dragged Uncle Mark down the front porch steps without chancing a look back. Darren was on his own with the three vultures. I just hoped for my sake he survived.

Chapter 27

Darren I ended up with a house full of people. And the backyard too. I’m still not sure how it happened, but it was now overflowing with friends and family, both Greer’s and my own. I was hosting a barbecue, but I did nothing to prepare for it. My family and Greer’s supplied the food and the drinks. Hell, I didn’t even know I was hosting! When I came home, I found the event in full swing and was a bit taken aback by it all. Greer had looked just as surprised as I felt. I found her standing in the corner of my kitchen as the other women moved around as if they owned the place. She watched them and looked around the room as if she was scared to move. I found the entire thing to be hilarious, though I couldn’t blame her. My mother, combined with Greer’s mother Wendy, her grandmother Norma Raye, and Aunt Stella were creating all kinds of havoc. Those ladies were longwinded, dedicated, and stubborn. It was best to just stand back when they all got together. I walked around the kitchen hugging the wall, doing my best to stay hidden until I reached Greer. When I stepped up to her, she forced a smile through her tension. “You hiding?” I asked as I wrapped my arm around her from behind and pulled her against me. “They scare me,” she whispered, and I leaned into her and buried my face in her hair, attempting to hide my laughter. “They’re like a pack of hungry wolves,” she added, only making me laugh harder. “I tried to help, but I got my hand smacked.” I pulled back to look down at her, and her eyes were wide in disbelief. “Like I was a child that tried to steal dessert before dinner, I got my hand smacked,” she repeated. “Well, what did you try to do?” I asked, knowing it wouldn’t take much to get reprimanded from any of the ladies that surrounded my kitchen island. Cooking was like a competition to them. Each one looked so focused on the task at hand that you would think they were competing for a gold medal and it was down to the wire. “I offered to cut the tomatoes,” Greer whispered as if saying it too loud would only bring their attention back to her. “Well, since you’re not needed here, why don’t you let me rescue you?” I said, pulling her closer and positioning her before me. “The girls look entertained with my dad. The hovering hens have the kitchen activities covered.” I winked when the tension in her eyes finally began to fade. “Let me take you for a walk.” “That sounds perfect,” she said, looking a bit more relaxed. I took her hand, and ever so quietly we snuck past the ladies and out the front door before anyone noticed.

As we walked hand in hand down the road, I couldn’t help but smile. Even though my house was being invaded and Greer and I had barely had any time alone lately, I was happy. My girls were happy. Life was pretty damn perfect. “I’m sorry about that.” Greer’s apology was the last thing I was expecting. “They just showed up and there was no way to stop them. The next thing I knew, the house was overrun.” I didn’t like the fact that she felt as if my home was so untouchable that I’d be offended if she’d been the one to decide to throw this party. I stopped walking, and when her arm caught on mine as she tried to take her next step, she turned back to face me, giving me a curious look as she looked around, as if wondering what could have made me stop. “I want you,” I said, and her eyes widened. “Right here?” she asked, looking around once again. I chuckled. She was so fucking cute. “What I meant to say was that I want us,” I clarified. “I’ve been thinking a lot over the last few weeks, and I know I told you that I want you to stay.” I stepped in closer and curled my arms around her waist, pulling her near. She tilted her head upward and looked at me with a hopeful expression. God, she was beautiful. “But what I should have said was I want you to move in with me and the girls.” Her eyes widened in surprise. “Darren, I can stay at the rental house,” she insisted. “My family rarely uses it, and they don’t mind.” “I know you can,” I assured her. “I just don’t want you to. I want you with us. On most nights we’re together anyway, so why worry about whose place we’ll end up staying at? The girls love it when you’re at our house. They love waking up and sharing breakfast with you. I love it too.” I leaned in close and pressed my lips to hers, giving her a gentle kiss. “I want you with us,” I whispered. “Not just today, but every day.” “Darren.” I could hear the panic in her voice. She wanted to give me all the reasons why we shouldn’t, but none of them mattered to me. I wanted her in my arms. I wanted to start building a life with this gorgeous, kindhearted, unbelievably special woman. Nothing about what she and I shared made me doubt taking this step. “I said I wanted to stay, and that wasn’t a lie. But I still have so many things I need to settle in St. Louis.” My chest tightened. I didn’t like to think of her returning there, because it only made me think of the things she’d left behind. It made me think of the fucker that broke her heart, and honestly I didn’t want her within ten feet of that prick. He was a slimeball, and I wouldn’t put anything past him. I figured that as soon as he found out she was back in town, he’d be looking for a chance to dig his way into her life, and that left a very unsettled feeling in my stomach. “I have my apartment and all my things,” she continued to ramble nervously. “I have my car and all my bank accounts. “And my mom will need help settling my father’s affairs.” I could almost feel her retreating. “What if we invited her to stay too? Gave her a fresh start here,” I asked. “How do you know she wants to go back? Have you talked to her?” “She’ll go back,” she stated. “All her memories of my dad are there. All his things. The life they shared

and all he ever worked for.” Her voice shook, and I could sense her panic. “We should go back,” she added as she began to back away. “Leaving your house unattended with all those crazy women in one room can’t be a good thing.” She laughed as if she wasn’t freaking out on the inside. But instead of pushing her more, I dropped the subject—for now, but this wasn’t the end of the discussion. I’d allowed myself to dream of a life with Greer, and it would take more than her panicked backpedaling for me to give up that dream. *** Greer was avoiding me. She wasn’t ignoring my calls or my visits, but she made sure we always had a buffer between us, whether it was one of the girls or a member of our crazy-ass families. We barely had any time alone. My conversation about her moving in had pushed her into freak-out mode. I knew she was still grieving the loss of her father, and from experience I knew that everyone grieved in their own way. And I wasn’t sure how to soothe her now that I’d made her doubt our relationship by bringing up her letting go of the one place that held memories of her father. The whole thing had me freaking out a bit myself. I wondered why the hell I’d pushed, but I honestly didn’t think it would scare her off. I’d hoped it would prove just how much I cared for her and how much I needed her in my life. “We’re staying at Greer’s house,” Vivian announced in a singsong voice as she skipped past me through the living room. Violet trailed closely behind, wearing a tutu. “Cookie party,” she chanted over and over, twirling and giggling. The front door squeaked, and I looked up just in time to see Greer and her mother enter. “A cookie party?” I asked with a raised brow. They had picked the girls up after their ballet class so I could finish up some invoices for a recent construction job. I’d fully intended to have a talk with Greer tonight, because we had already put it off too long. But now this cookie whatever had put my plans on hold once again. “I hope you don’t mind, but after we picked up the girls, we stopped by the store,” Greer said with a shrug. “We ended up in the baking goods isle, and Betty Homemaker here”—she pointed her thumb toward her mother, who smiled brightly—“Decided we were having a cookie party. And, well, the girls got so excited I didn’t have the heart to decline when they asked if they could come too.” She looked at the floor when my gaze locked on hers. “It’s something she and I did often when I was growing up.” “So they’re staying at your place, which means you’re staying there too?” I asked, knowing the answer and doing my very best not to show how displeased I was. She nodded, and instead of looking at me, she looked toward the hall the girls had just disappeared down. Laughter spilled from their room, which gained Wendy’s full attention. “I’ll go help them get ready.” She hurried off after them without giving either of us a chance to respond. I didn’t speak right away. Instead, I watched Greer closely. She fidgeted as she fisted her hands at her sides and shifted her weight from one leg to the other. Frankly it pissed me off that we had reached this point.

“Does it freak you out that much?” I asked before I could stop myself. She looked up at me in confusion, but I wasn’t dumb. I knew she understood. “Is it so hard to face the fact that I want you in my life and my girls’ lives?” She remained frozen as I stepped toward her, staring back at me and worrying her lip. “That the idea of you leaving us terrifies me?” I added. Greer blinked rapidly, and I knew she was trying to fight back tears. I had been around her enough to know that meant she didn’t want to show how much she was hurting. “It’s not that,” she whispered. “Then what is it?” I asked. Silence set over the room, which only irritated me more. “I’m going back to St. Louis on Saturday,” she said, looking at the floor once again. My legs grew weak, like the weight of the world was now pressing heavily on my shoulders and I could barely stand. I struggled to breathe, feeling like I’d been kicked in the stomach. “What?” I whispered in disbelief. “My mother and I were going to go back home and—” “Saturday is only three days away. When the hell where you planning on telling me this?” I asked, not caring how pissed off I sounded. “What were you gonna do, just wake up and fucking leave without a word?” She flinched when I raised my voice. I didn’t want to yell, but damn it, how the hell did we go from barely being able to keep our hands off one another to not even being able to have a conversation? “No,” she whispered, sounding hurt. “We just decided last night. There’s just so much that still needs to be handled after the loss of my father. Things both of us ignored during our grieving. Things we have to settle.” “So that’s it?” I asked. “You’re just going to walk away?” “I’m not walking away, Darren,” she said, stepping toward me. “But I can’t leave her to face it all on her own.” I wanted to call bullshit on her excuse. I wanted to tell her that other people could do all that shit for them. I wanted to say she could handle everything through phones calls, e-mail, and, hell, fucking Skype for that matter. But what was the point? She had made up her mind without even asking how her leaving would affect me or my girls. The anger that last fact instilled in me outweighed everything else. The idea of my girls being brokenhearted nearly crippled me. They loved Greer. God damn it, I loved Greer. But before I could demand that she give me one good fucking reason for leaving, I heard my girls’ laughter and the tapping of their feet as they barreled down the hall into the living room. They both carried a small bag over a shoulder, wearing the biggest of smiles. “We’re ready,” Vivian chirped. “Me too,” Violet screeched as she wrapped her arms around Greer’s legs and squeezed tight. I didn’t even look at Greer. I couldn’t. I was too worried I’d fall apart in front of my girls. Once again, I

felt like I was falling, just like I had when I lost Lynn. All I could feel was anger and frustration. I did my best to hold it together as I said my good-byes and I helped the girls put on their shoes. I kissed them, hugged them, and when Greer took each of their hands in hers, I watched them walk away. My throat burned and my chest ached. How was I supposed to let her walk out of our lives?

Chapter 28

Greer I should have enjoyed the night with the girls, but I couldn’t forget the anger in Darren’s questions. He didn’t give me the chance to explain. He wouldn’t even look at me. I needed him to understand that I had to do this. That I wouldn’t be gone forever, just for now. I had to stand by my mother now, because we would need each other’s support. My mother had shared the news of her plans over a cup of coffee. I should have been happy because her decision meant she was moving on, but it devastated me. She was selling my father’s home. The place that held all my childhood memories and the special moments we’d shared with my father year after year. The place where I’d had all my birthday parties and sleepovers. Where Tucker and I would play in the backyard for hours until we were forced to come inside. Hell, I’d had my first kiss on the front porch—the same place my daddy had put the fear of God into Tobias Renner when he walked in on that first kiss. To this day, that story made me smile. Tobias Renner was a stinker. Had I known that just a few hours ago he’d been kissing Margo Mayor under an oak tree in Wilson Park, well, I would have been the one to chase him off with a baseball bat, not my dad. I didn’t want to let it all go. Maybe it was selfish of me, but I didn’t want another family to be able to create memories in the same home that held all my most precious ones. It was the last place we had seen my father laugh and smile. It was his home, the place he worked for, the place where he kept us safe. The idea of never again being able to walk inside and smell his rustic cologne made my heart ache. Or never being able to see his favorite recliner with the blanket I had made for him on one of his birthdays tucked safely in the corner. I was having the hardest time letting go, and I guess somehow I’d hoped going home with Mom would help change her mind, even though I knew deep down that she had made her choice. I wanted to be the supportive daughter that hugged my mother and told her that her decision to move to Vermont to be closer to Aunt Stella was a good choice. But I just couldn’t. I was torn, so confused and frankly at a loss over what I should do or how I should feel. I was being childish, and I wanted badly to let go of this sadness, but it was all-consuming. It broke my heart to think of leaving Darren and the girls even for a while, but I had to deal with this pain and I needed closure. I had to say good-bye to my father, no matter how much it hurt. But Darren had never let me explain any of this. He’d been so quick to assume I could just leave them

and never look back. That almost hurt worse than my grief. I just hoped Daren could forgive me in the end. That he could find a way to understand why I had to do this and that we could move forward together. But for now, he seemed to need time to be angry and to place blame. That became evident when I dropped the girls off Friday afternoon to find Dean waiting for me. The fact he conned Dean into babysitting was a definite sign that he wanted distance. I wanted to explain, but when I drove to his office to confront him, he wasn’t there either. When I called, it went to voice mail. And when I sat on the back porch that evening staring at his bedroom window, no light came on. His home was vacant, and knowing he was avoiding me nearly broke my heart. I cried myself to sleep that night, torn between just letting go of everything back home without a fight, or taking a chance that Darren may never forgive me. Neither option was good. And when I loaded my bags into the trunk of the rental car on Saturday morning, I felt like I was slowly falling apart. “Are you ready?” my mother asked as she placed her hand on my shoulder and offered a gentle squeeze. I only nodded in response as I rounded the car and got behind the wheel. The light click of her seat belt as she fastened it made me jump in surprise. “You don’t have to do this,” she said. “You can stay here and I’ll be sure to—” I shook my head. “I have to do this,” I told her. “I need to do this.” As I backed out of the driveway, my heart began to break. When the car was in Drive, I began to cry as I looked into the rearview mirror to see the place where I finally found love disappear from sight. I could barely see the road in front of me as I slowed the car. For a moment I listened to the voice in my head that screamed for me to go back. It demanded that I make Darren understand I had every intention of returning to him and the girls. My mother remained silent at my side, and somehow I knew she felt my pain. But each time she tried to convince me to stay, I told her I had to go. I slowed to a stop and closed my eyes for a moment, just breathing through the ache. Deep breath in, and deep breath out. I repeated the instruction over and over until I felt a little less overwhelmed. I pulled my phone from my purse and dialed Darren’s number, knowing full well I’d get his voice mail again. But I couldn’t leave without him knowing the truth. The girls’ giggles filled my ear, just before Darren’s husky voice spoke. “You got our voice mail. You know what to do.” It was the most precious voice mail recording I’d ever heard, and it triggered the tears once again, only this time I did nothing to stop them. “I’m sorry,” I whispered after the beep. “I’m so sorry you think I could leave you all without it breaking me inside. I wish I could speak to you instead of your machine and tell you this is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.” Deep breath in. I slowly released it, trying my best to hold it together. My mother remained at my side, silent and understanding. “I love you,” I confessed for the first time. “And I love Violet and Vivian. And I’m gonna miss you all so much.” That didn’t even begin to describe what I felt. “Please don’t hate me, because I don’t think I could bear it if you did. You’ve given me so much, and I need you to understand that you all have my

unconditional love always. I never intended to leave you and never come back. I planned to come back to you all. I’m just worried now that you won’t want me, and that thought hurts so much. I love you all,” I said in a rush before I ended the call. My mother tried then to offer me support by reaching out to lace her hand on my shoulder, only I couldn’t take it. I shook my head as I gripped the wheel tightly and willed the tears to slow. I needed calmness at this point. I needed silence. I slowly stepped on the gas and the car began to move again, leaving behind my heart.

Chapter 29

Darren I was no longer built for nights like last night. It reminded me why I chose to stop at two beers on any given day. Even I was repulsed by the way I smelled. Cigarettes and booze. Somehow my good judgment disappeared and I allowed my brother to convince me that I needed a night out to forget my troubles. I couldn’t have been more wrong. We ended up at the club where Dean worked as a bartender and ended up closing the place down. I could have handled Dean, I think. But his friends were insane. Vic and Will had a tolerance for alcohol like I had never seen before. They guzzled two beers to my one and did shots in between. And when I say “shots,” I mean tons of shots. I let the younger guys pressure me into trying to prove I wasn’t the old ass they referred to me as all night. And now I felt like I’d been hit by a Mack Truck. My head was pounding, my stomach was rolling, and I felt like I’d eaten a sponge. I couldn’t even remember exactly how I’d gotten back to Dean’s room. Normally the sounds of his excessive snoring from my left would have kept me up all night long, but not once had they fazed me. Until now. I nudged his shoulder and he responded with a deep groan. He showed no signs of offering me any help finding my shit, so I set out to look on my own. I needed to find my phone, but the room was so fucking dark I could barely see my hand in front of my face. Who the hell had black damn curtains covering every window? Dean, that’s who. The asshole partied often and didn’t want the light of day interrupting his recovery time. Me, I just wanted to find my phone and get downstairs to clean away the proof of my bad choices before my parents got up. I wanted to be showered and wearing a fresh change of clothing before the girls woke. Then I’d load them up, go to Greer’s, and together we would show her all the reasons why she should stay here with us. I tripped over something in the darkness and cursed as I stumbled forward and braced myself against the wall. In doing so I pushed aside one of the curtains just enough to see the bright, beaming sunlight. It was well past sunrise. Sudden panic knotted my stomach. I had a built-in alarm system that always got me up before the sun. But today of all days, that alarm hadn’t sounded. I yanked back the curtain and the sun flooded into the room as a sick feeling washed over me. “What the fuck?” Dean grumbled as he pulled his blanket over his face. “Shut the curtain, you asshole.”

I ignored his protests and finally located my phone on the floor. I hit the Power button over and over, but it was completely dead. “Shit,” I growled, practically ripping the door off the hinges in my hurry to leave. I almost fell down the stairs as I tried to take them two at a time. When I burst through the back door of my parents’ house, I was met with four shocked faces. Mom, Dad, and the girls sat around the kitchen table sharing breakfast and staring at me. “What time is it?” I asked, looking around the kitchen, my heart in my throat. “Daddy, what are you wearing?” Vivian said with a giggle. “The time?” I asked again, ignoring the strange look my dad was giving me. “It’s ten thirty-two,” my mother said. That sick feeling I had before was nothing compared to what I now felt. “Daddy, your pants have tongues on them.” Violet had made her way over to me and was now poking my legs. I looked down at my sweet little girl and did a double take. Yes, the pants had tongues. And what they were licking was even worse. I hung my head and cursed the fact that I had a brother as fucked-up as Dean. Who the hell bought pajama pants with dicks on them? Dicks of all sizes, being licked and stroked. And, ah fuck, was that a…? Motherfucker. I spun around and hurried back out the door in search of my own damn pants. *** Hours later I sat just outside my parents’ house on a swing my father built for my mother on their twentyfifth anniversary. My head was hung as I held on to the phone tightly, my mind racing and my heart aching. Greer’s words rang over and over in my mind. “I never intended to leave you and never come back. I planned to come back to you all. I’m just worried now that you won’t want me, and that thought hurts so much. I love you all.” She loved us. I was an idiot. Instead of sitting in some fucking bar trying to drown out my pain, I should have been with her. I should have been telling her I loved her and I couldn’t go a day without her. I should have been holding her and spending her last night here together. But I was an ass instead. I jumped at the sound of the screen door shutting behind me. But instead of turning around, I continued to breathe in and out, doing my best to remain calm even though I was slowly falling apart inside. My eyes burned as I fought back the tears that threatened. “What are you gonna do, son?” I looked to my left just as my father sat down at my side. He didn’t look at me, but instead stared out over the backyard. “I don’t know,” I confessed. I had no fucking clue. “Did I ever tell you that before you mother and I were married, she left me?” I couldn’t even imagine that. My parents’ love was something special. Hell, they’d been married since they were nineteen. Dean and I harassed them about being so lovey-dovey, but honestly I loved seeing

them share those sweet looks of devotion. “We’d been together for a little over a year, and I told her I’d planned to join the military,” he continued, and that was another shocker. My father had owned his own restaurant for years. He’d never served in the military. “I know,” he said with a chuckle, as if the confusion on my face asked all my questions for me. “I knew I wanted to marry your mother. I wanted to provide for her and give her a great life. At the time I thought joining the military would be the best way to achieve that.” He shook his head and chuckled again as if lost in deep thought. “Your mother was pissed that I had made that decision without consulting her. And we all know how stubborn she can be.” “Her way or no way,” I replied, and he nodded. “She left me,” he said again, only without humor this time, and in its place was a look of sadness, as if he were reliving that day. “I don’t ever remember feeling as lost as I did in that moment.” I looked away and out in to the yard, taking in a deep breath. Lost. Yeah, that was a good way to describe my current situation. “She was gone for two weeks,” he said, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “She wouldn’t take my calls, and I felt like I was going crazy.” I nodded, knowing just what he was referring to. “So when I finally had enough, I booked a flight to Phoenix and gave her no choice but to hear what I had to say.” He squared his shoulders, looking proud, which only made me laugh. “I bet it was a little harder than you’re admitting.” He grinned and continued as if I hadn’t just hit the nail on the head. “Sometimes we Griffin men let our egos take over. We put our pride before our hearts.” He cleared his throat, and silence settled over us. The breeze rustled the leaves on the trees, and a wind chime pinged and clattered in the distance. “So what are you gonna do?” he finally said again. I turned my head toward him and found him looking at me, his face void of humor. The intensity in his eyes made my chest tighten. “Lynn was like my daughter, and, Darren, I loved that girl so much. She gave you two of the most beautiful girls, and we will always love her.” The tears shimmering in my father’s eyes further threatened to break me. “All I’ve wished for since we lost her is to be able to see that same happiness in your eyes again. To see my son have that kind of love again. And that wish came true, Darren.” My throat was so tight as I tried to even out my breathing. “Greer sparked that part inside you that died the day Lynn left us. My biggest fear was that you’d never again be the man I knew you could be.” A tear ran along my cheek, and I did nothing to stop it. I’d also feared that, but I did fall in love again. I could see a future with Greer—kids, grandkids, the whole thing. “I’d hate for you to let the Griffin stubbornness keep you from having that kind of love again.” My father placed his hand on my shoulder, offering a firm squeeze. “So again, I ask, what are you gonna do?” Taking in a deep breath, I met my father’s gaze again. “Can you and Mom watch the girls?” He smiled and nodded. “I have a flight to book.”

Chapter 30

Greer I knew seeing my father’s things again would be hard, but I never could have imagined the depth of that hurt. It was devastating to walk into my parents’ bedroom to find his clothes lying across the end of their bed. He’d been planning to wear them out to “date night” with my mother, which they did every week. He insisted that just because they were older, it didn’t mean he couldn’t take his wife out for dinner, dancing, or sometimes just a movie. When I lifted his shirt to my nose, I could smell his aftershave. That spicy scent never made me feel anything other than safe. And then it hit me. In that very moment it hit me so damn hard. I would never again hug my father. I’d never again hear his laughter. He’d never see me get married or be able to hold my children. It was unfair. And suddenly I was so angry that I couldn’t control it. Screaming and thrashing, I yanked the covers off the bed and hurled them to the floor. I grabbed a pile of clothes that was sitting atop the dresser and threw them across the room. The loud sound of something breaking did nothing to stop me as I walked toward the closet and began yanking shirt after shirt off the hangers. A strong set of arms wrapped around me from behind. “Let go,” I screamed as I flailed my arms and bucked backward. But no matter how hard I fought, they didn’t budge. “Shh,” a soothing whisper filled my ear. “It’s gonna be okay.” I stilled, and just like that my anger was redirected. Mom and I had spent the entire day at the lawyer’s office going through form after form, and when I’d finally had enough, I took a cab to my parents’ house. I was exhausted, and the last thing I wanted was for Tucker to pretend I’d want his comfort. I despised him. His touch made my skin crawl. I spun around in his arms and shoved against his chest. “Let go of me,” I said through gritted teeth. “You have no right to touch me. You have no right to be here.” “Greer,” he said as he finally released me. He had the audacity to look wounded, which only angered me further. Without a second thought, I slapped his cheek hard. “Don’t you dare.” I wrinkled my nose in disgust. “Don’t you dare come into this house and pretend you belong, or that you have the right to be hurt by my disgust for you.” He didn’t speak. He only stood there staring back at me. “I don’t know why I ever thought you were a good guy,” I whispered. “Why I wasted so much time. I placed you in some fantasy world where you were the one to care for me and keep me safe, but I was so

wrong. You thought I was worth so little that the minute you found the chance to, you hurt me.” “Please—” I shoved him in the chest again. “I don’t want you here. And I don’t need you or your apologies,” I said as I stepped around him. I needed air, and Tucker’s presence made me feel like I was suffocating.

Chapter 31

Darren I took the first flight available and arrived in St. Louis just after five p.m. I hailed the first cab I could find and thrust a piece of paper with Greer’s parents’ address at the driver. With Uncle Mark’s assistance, I was on the fast track to getting my girl back. He was hesitant to help when I arrived at the beach house to find him and Stella lounging on the back deck. But after I groveled and poured out my heart, he took pity on me. When the cab slowed in front of a two-story brick home, I paused for a moment, imagining Greer growing up here. I could see a family living here, one that had so much love to share, and my heart ached for the girl I loved. I knew what it felt like to let go of a place you loved and the memories it held, and I cursed myself again for being such an idiot. I’d expected her to let go of all this without a second thought and create a life with me. Instead, I should have offered her the support she needed and brought her here myself. Movement caught my attention, and I looked over to see Greer hurry out the front door and jog down the steps. She stopped in the yard and bent over, placing her hands on her knees. I yanked some cash out of my pocket and tossed it toward the driver without counting it. I had to get to her. I wanted to hold her. I needed to hold her. I hurried out of the cab, ignoring the driver as he attempted to give me my change. I didn’t care that I’d most likely paid him double. At the sound of the cab door closing, Greer stood and her eyes locked on mine. We were only a few feet apart, and my hands ached to touch her. I could tell she’d been crying, and the thought of her suffering alone nearly broke me. “Darren,” she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. Fresh tears fell as I rushed to her and pulled her into my arms. She buried her face against my chest and her entire body shook as she went limp against me. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice muffled against my shirt. “I love you.” I had to say it. I couldn’t wait another moment. I should have said it so many times before, but I held back. I wasn’t going to hold back any longer. She leaned back, tilting her head up to look at me. Her lip trembled as more tears fell. “I love you,” I repeated. “I could never hate you, Angel. I’ll always want you.” I placed a hand on either side of her face. “I want you to come back to me whenever you’re ready. Come back to me and the girls, because we need you.” My own emotions threatened to take over as she looked up at me, tears rolling along her cheeks and pooling where my hands met her face. “You love me?” she asked, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Yes, sweet girl. I love you.” I pressed my lips to hers, and they trembled against mine. She fisted my shirt and pulled me closer, and I felt the weight I’d been carrying slowly fade. The tension in my shoulders gave way, and for the first time since I woke up, I felt whole again. Someone cleared their throat, and Greer and I pulled apart. Some fucking Bieber look-alike stood at the top of the stairs, looking at Greer and me with irritation. And the territorial caveman inside me growled. Tucker the fucker. “You must be Daddy,” he said with a cocky grin, which only made the tension from moments ago return. “And you must the douche bag I’ve heard about,” I said with a matching smirk. He moved down the steps and walked up to me, and I found myself chuckling. Did this glamour boy really think he could intimidate me? “Tucker, you need to leave,” Greer said, but he didn’t move or take his eyes off me. The last thing I wanted to do was make things harder on Greer, but man, I really wanted to beat the grin off this asshole’s face. “Yeah, Tucker,” I said, pulling Greer in closer, “you need to leave.” He laughed. “This guy is gonna break your heart,” he said, looking at me but speaking to the woman at my side. His words only pissed me off more. “He’s gonna get tired of whatever it is you two call this, and you’re gonna wish you’d listened. You’re gonna wish you had your eyes open.” He moved past us and I should have let it go. I should have let him walk away thinking he’d won, but it wasn’t the kinda man I was. “You’re wrong,” I said, and he turned around to look back at us. “I’ll never understand how you let her go,” I continued. “You had the world at your fingertips. You had a gorgeous woman and a chance at one amazing life, and you threw it all away. But as I told you before, your loss is my gain. I’m a hell of a lot smarter than you, and I can guarantee you that Greer will never again feel as if she’s not enough. Because she’s everything. And while she and I spend the rest of our lives loving one another and building a life together, you can go on being the miserable fuck that you are.” I could see the fight in his eyes. He wanted to say more, but I think he knew I was right. There was no way in hell I was ever letting her go. *** I placed the last of the clothes I’d picked up onto the chair next to the bed and turned to face Greer. She stood only a few feet away holding a flannel shirt to her nose as she breathed in the scent. I remembered doing that with Lynn’s clothes for weeks after she died. I found it soothing, like she was still there with us. After Tucker left and Greer took me inside, she broke down and told me about her angry outburst and Tucker’s attempt at comforting her. I hated the thought of his hands on her, but I listened, doing my best to hide my reaction. After I held her and allowed her to seek the comfort she needed, I helped her clean up the mess. I stood watching her in silence as she lowered the shirt and slowly opened her eyes to take in the room around her. “It’s just hard to imagine someone else in this room besides my parents,” she confessed. “I think if he

was still here and they decided to sell, it would hurt, but not like this. Letting go of this house feels like we’re letting go of him.” I walked toward her as I held out my hand. When she to me, I felt like I’d fucking won. She was my girl. I kissed her temple and held her close, squeezing her tight. “Someone once told me that our memories are all we have left of those we’ve lost. And that if we stop sharing those memories, then we stop remembering them, and that would be a shame.” She tilted her head back and looked up at me. She’d shared those words with me once, and each day since I’d felt at peace knowing Lynn would always live on in my heart and mind. “It isn’t a place or even a possession that carries on the memory of those we’ve lost. It’s us. It’s in our stories, in the way we choose to live on.” She closed her eyes for a moment as if taking in what I said. “The memories you have of you father, the stories you tell my girls, or even me, those are the ways you carry on his memory. And the greatest gift you can give anyone is to allow another loving family to build the same kind of life your father built here for you and your mother. It doesn’t mean you’re letting him go, baby.” She nodded without speaking, as if she were afraid she’d break if she talked. “I knew he was a good man.” I jumped in surprise and turned to find Wendy standing in the bedroom doorway. She, too, had tears in her eyes. I looked back at Greer to find her smiling at her mother. “Yes, Mom,” she said, finally looking at me, “he is.”

Chapter 32

Greer Stepping inside my tiny apartment and looking around at the things I’d left when I went to Carolina Beach didn’t faze me. I felt no longing, or even an inkling of sadness. Because this was never a home. It was only a place that held my things and a place to sleep after a long day at a job I despised. I felt nothing like I did when I stepped inside the beach house or when I woke up in Darren’s bed with him at my side. I was hesitant about leaving my mom alone that night in the home she’d shared with my father, but she practically led Darren and me to my car, saying that a night alone with my father’s memories was the best medicine after a long, tiring day. I placed my purse on the small table in my kitchenette and turned around to find Darren standing only a few feet away. His gaze roamed over each inch of my tiny apartment. It felt even smaller with him here. “It’s not much,” I whispered, suddenly feeling embarrassed by the life I’d chosen to live prior to my escape. How could I have ever settled the way I had? It was pathetic, really. Or maybe I was just blind, or spoiled now that I’d gotten a glimpse of what true happiness felt like. “I know you’ve had a long day,” he began as he lowered his bag to the floor next to a small love seat near the door. “And I’m sure talking over things is the last thing you want, but—” I shook my head. “I wanna talk,” I assured him. I wanted to know how he felt, and I had so much to say—things I should have said days ago. He appeared relieved, and that settled my nervousness. “Do you want something to drink?” I asked, though I didn’t know what I could truly offer. I hadn’t been here for weeks and hadn’t had time today to even think of grabbing anything from the store. I was relieved when he shook his head. “I just want us to work through this,” he confessed. “I’m not gonna lie, the last few days have been unsettling. I was an ass.” “It wasn’t all you,” I told him. “I should have done things differently, explained my plans.” “I didn’t make that too easy for you to do,” he said. “In order to explain something, the person you’re talking to has to listen. And I’m sorry I didn’t, but I’m listening now.” He took my hand and led me toward my love seat. It was a small, old hand-me-down I found at a yard sale right after I got the keys to my first place. Tucker and my father carried it up two flights of stairs only to find that the legs made it too wide to fit through the door. I remembered their startled expressions when I popped off the drill bit on my father wireless drill and replaced it with the saw extension. I cut off the legs one by one, smiling and ignoring their protests as they held it in the air. I fixed the problem, but in their eyes, I’d lost my mind. “I know it’s my fault you got scared.” I turned back to Darren as his voice pulled me from the memory I

was lost in. “What?” I asked, feeling confused. “I shouldn’t have pushed for you to move in with me. I was ready, but that didn’t mean you were.” He held my hand, gently skimming his thumb over mine. “I just let my ego get in the way, and the rejection outweighed every other emotion I felt.” “But I wasn’t rejecting you.” I slid in closer, resting my hand on his forearm. “I just didn’t know how to face letting go of the house and everything it meant to me. And knowing I was being forced to because my mother had decided to sell it all just hit me harder than I thought it would. I wasn’t prepared to handle it all.” He started to interrupt me, but I went on before he could. “I know now that starting over doesn’t mean I’m forgetting my memories of the past. I just panicked, and then my mother told me she’s selling the house and moving to Vermont. So that on top of it all just made me act like an idiot.” “You’re not an idiot,” he whispered. “My actions almost cost me the three greatest people in my world,” I said as tears filled my eyes. “So yes, I was an idiot.” He looked as if he wanted to argue again, but he held back. “I just thought I could come back here and settle everything. Maybe work through all these unresolved feelings so I could finally say good-bye to it all. I never intended to walk away from the three of you forever.” I took in a shuddering breath. “Nothing could make me do that. Vivian and Violet mean the world to me, and I’ve barely been able to manage a day without their smiles. And you,” I whispered hoarsely. The idea of never feeling Darren’s arms around me again made my heart race with panic. He looked at me with hopeful eyes, almost pleading with me to continue. “You make me unbelievably happy. Each touch, each kiss makes me feel as if I’m floating. That may sound cheesy, but it’s true. It’s a rush of so many emotions tied into one moment that leaves me feeling breathless. One hug from you can make all the pain subside. You’re my happy, you and the girls.” It was so hard to wrap what I was feeling up into words. How the hell did you explain such an intense love to someone? Not one word or one sentence, or even a million sentences could describe the feelings I had for Darren. My chest ached with the love I felt for him. “I never thought I’d feel the things I feel for you again. I never thought I find love,” he confessed as he placed his palm against my cheek. “I love you, Greer. And I want you in North Carolina with us, but I understand if you need time. We’ll wait for you.” I closed my eyes and leaned into his touch. I didn’t want them to wait for me. I wanted to go back to where we were a week ago and get lost in that happiness. I wanted to erase the last few days of sadness and curl up with the girls for a movie night full of popcorn, M&M’s, and giggles. I wanted their sweet hugs and snuggles. “I wanna go home,” I whispered with my eyes still closed. I prayed he’d understand just what I was saying, and when his lips pressed to mine, I knew he did. They were my home. *** I loved the way he smelled, so clean and manly.

I loved the way he held me close with his arms curled around me from behind and my back pressed tightly to his chest. I loved the gentle sound of his breathing as it tickled my neck with each exhale. I had never in my life felt so treasured. “What are you thinking?” he whispered against my neck, surprising me. I thought he was asleep. The room was quiet, the light from the bathroom just across the hall barely lit my small bedroom, and I had been lost in my thoughts. “I was thinking about how amazing it feels to be in your arms,” I replied truthfully. “How happy it makes me that I’m the one you’re holding.” “It makes me happy too,” he confessed, squeezing me tighter. “It’s a space meant for you, Angel.” He sounded sleepy. “Thank you for loving us,” he added, and it pulled heavily on my heart. I turned in his arms and faced him, locking my gaze with his. “Thank you for making it so easy to love you,” I replied as I leaned in closer and kissed his lips. We fell asleep holding one another securely. Before I finally gave in to the day’s exhaustion, he said three words I’d never tire of. “You’re my angel.” I loved hearing that. Almost as much as I loved hearing him say he loved me.

Chapter 33

Darren I’d been in St. Louis for five days, and I missed my girls. Greer and I would call them each night and they’d tell us about their day with Grandma and Grandpa. They even told us about Uncle Dean bringing home ice cream and a new doll for each of them. That surprised me a bit, and the curious look on Greer’s face indicated she too was shocked. Dean didn’t do shit like that, and it made me wonder what was going on with my party-animal brother. But the excitement in their voices quickly made us forget our questions. I think me being here not only helped Greer, but helped her mother as well. I learned a lot about Wendy in the last few days, including that she also has an amazing heart. She was warm and caring, and I instantly knew were Greer’s compassionate side came from. They were so much alike it was crazy. Sometimes they laughed about memories of Greer’s father, which would soon fade into tears. And sometimes they would create a Darren sandwich as I held one on each side of me, offering them the support they needed. Wendy would always break the silence by making us laugh if it went on too long. She’d announce the most random things. “Darren, you are a yummy specimen,” she said once. On another occasion, she brought Greer to tears of laughter. “Darren, are you sure I can’t convince you to come to Vermont with me? You smell delicious, and those muscles of yours make me feel young again.” I knew it was just a way for her to defuse a tense, sad moment with humor. I imagined she would spend the remainder of her life deeply in love with the man she lost. I could sympathize. I was in her shoes once, and I hoped she could find a way to be happy again, like I had. In the next few days, they packed everything they wished to keep and sold off or donated the rest throughout the city to places and people that meant something to Greer’s father. In that time I saw these two lovely, caring woman fall apart and slowly rebuild themselves. Their strength was inspiring. They placed the items they chose to keep into separate moving trucks, one heading to Vermont where Wendy would be moving and the other to Carolina Beach. I managed to keep a straight face when Greer rattled of the blue house’s address to the driver. He and I had already arranged for him to deliver those items to my house. I’d said I’d wait for her to come back to me, and I would have, had she chosen to stay in Missouri, even though I was sure I would have gone insane. But that went right out the window when she told me she wanted to come home. Home not only meant living with me and my girls, it meant having her in my arms, under the same roof, night after night. I’d deal with the consequences later, but I wasn’t going to change my mind. Hell, Boots had been there since her uncle and aunt left a few days after I had. I gave my

mother strict instructions on how to care for him, and now the little hairy bastard had taken up residence in my bed. That was also something I’d have to handle when I got home. *** When we exited the airport in Myrtle Beach, Dean was waiting to take us home. He tested me by placing his arm around Greer’s waist and pulling her close, lifting her feet off the ground in an exaggerated hug. Apparently the fucker wanted to be punched again. The grinding of my teeth was all I could hear. “Your face looks like a tomato,” Dean laughed as he lowered her to the ground and pointed at me. I noted how he stood behind her as if using her as a shield. “Are you even breathing?” he added, still chuckling. “Do you wanna keep breathing?” I asked, agitated that his hand was resting very low on her back. “Because if you don’t remove your hand from her ass, I’m guaranteeing you won’t be for long.” “Okay, Tiger,” Greer said with a laugh and moved away from Dean. She rested her hand against my chest, smiling at me as she did everything she could to regain my attention. The asshole still did all he could to fire me up. And when his gaze dropped lower to focus on her ass, I grabbed her by the waist and moved her behind me. Dean took this as all the warning he needed and practically ran around the front of his jeep to get away from me. “Dude, come on,” he whined, “I was just playing.” For now I’d let him think I was letting it slide, but later I’d show him that I didn’t forget. On the ride to my parents’, Greer fell asleep on my shoulder. The last week had really taken a toll on her. I’d heard her moving around her apartment at night, unable to rest. And when she was in bed next to me, her sleep was never peaceful. I hoped being back here would help. Not even a minute after we pulled into the driveway, I heard the girls shrieking as they rushed out the front door, their smiles wide and their eyes bright with joy. A spark of life was reignited in Greer as she knelt at the edge of the grass just as the girls wrapped their arms around her neck. “We missed you,” Vivian said as they toppled to the ground. I wasn’t even offended that they had yet to acknowledge my presence. Seeing the three of them together was enough for me, for now. We all had an attachment to Greer. Even my parents hugged her and expressed their happiness at her return. My father offered me a nod as he hugged her tight. He was telling me that I’d done the right thing by going after her. And I knew he was right. Letting her go wasn’t an option.

Chapter 34

Greer “What’s this?” Darren asked as he leaned against the counter at my side. He’d been working extra late in his office tonight in an attempt to catch up after his week away. The girls were in the living room, completely engrossed in a movie. “It’s dinner,” I said as I continued to slice the onions and garlic and toss them into the pan. When I turned back to face him, he’d stepped in behind me. Reaching his arms around me from behind, he took the knife and began to cut the remaining part of the onion in slow, delicate movements. His breaths tickled the back of my neck as he pressed closer until I could feel every inch of him against my backside. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered before skimming his lips over the shell of my ear. “Breathtaking,” he added just before kissing the spot on my neck that makes my knees weak. “And coming home to find you here, in the kitchen, while the girls are so content….” He took a deep breath. I looked up to see both girls were still completely occupied and unfazed by what we were doing. “It’s a feeling that I don’t even know how to begin to explain,” he continued, making my stomach flutter with excitement. “A feeling I want every day.” He hadn’t mentioned me moving in since we talked about it in my former apartment, and I had a feeling he was worried about bringing it up again. “I have a confession to make,” he whispered, and suddenly the fluttering became a tense knot. “Should I sit down?” I asked, and he chuckled, his entire body shaking against my own. “No,” he replied. “Though I may need to get a running start.” This piqued my curiosity, and I turned to face him. I heard him place the knife on the plate behind me, but he didn’t move back. Instead, he stepped closer, forcing me to lean against the countertop behind me. It was hard to concentrate when specific parts of him were pressing against specific parts of me. Thoughts of attacking him raced through my mind, only I knew I couldn’t act on them. Not with the girls only a few feet away. “Focus, Angel,” he cooed, knowing full well what he’d made me think about. When he placed his hands over mine and crossed my arms behind my back, obviously to pin them, I arched a brow at him and he chuckled. “I’ve never pissed you off before,” he said with a smirk. “You’re tiny, yes, but something tells me you’re fierce too.” “The fact you feel you need to restrain me before your confession is doing nothing to calm my nerves.” I was trying to be playful, but my stomach was twisting and my heart racing. He leaned in and kissed me softly. “Before we left Missouri, I tipped the driver two hundred bucks to deliver all your things here instead,” he said in a rush, then closed his eyes tight as if bracing himself for a

verbal bashing. I think he was even holding his breath. When I burst out laughing, his eyes shot open and he let out a gust of air. Yep, he was definitely holding his breath. “Why are you freaking out over this?” I asked, still smiling wide. He opened his mouth to speak only to shut it before the words came out. I had never seen him look so dumbfounded before. I tried to work my hands loose from his hold. He held on tightly at first, then ever so slowly he released them. I placed them against his chest and slid them upward to rest on either side of his neck. He continued to watch me closely, still not speaking a word. “Thank you,” I whispered. A look of confusion covered his strong features, and I giggled lightly. This man was utterly adorable at times. “I was worried the offer had passed,” I continued, and the look on his face changed from confusion to understanding. He weaved his hand around the back of my neck and pulled my closer. I thought for a moment he planned to kiss me, but instead he rested his forehead against mine. “That was not a one-time offer, baby, that was me stating that one day, you and I would live under the same roof. That day is now.” He leaned in and kissed me softly. “I love you,” he whispered. Little hands squeezed my leg, surprising me. I looked down to see Violet hugging it. “I love you too,” she said happily, and instantly I teared up. Hearing her say that in her sweet little Disney Princess voice melted my heart. “I love you too, sweetheart.” I combed my fingers through her hair and held her close. Soon Vivian joined us, and I was overwhelmed with such a sense of belonging that my throat felt tight. “What do you girls think about Greer moving in with us?” Darren asked, surprising me. Before I could say a word, they began bouncing around excitedly, screaming yes over and over. And in that moment the decision was made. I was moving in. We would be a family. They were my family. *** Darren lifted my leg higher and hooked it securely over his hip as he continued to move forward. His movements were slow and tantalizing, and he gently swayed his hips before pulling back ever so slightly and repeating the motion. It was such an exhilarating rush of lust and love wrapped up in a sensual package. Darren was making love to me, pouring everything he felt into each touch and kiss. I had never felt so alive. My body was completely in tune with his, every nerve screaming in pleasure. “You’re my forever,” he whispered against my neck as he slid inside me ever so slowly. “My today, my tomorrow.” His words only heightened the connection I was already feeling. “I want it all with you,” he confessed. “No holding back. I want to give you everything.” Tears pricked my eyes, and I squeezed them shut tightly as my lower lip trembled.

I wanted it all too. “Build a life with me, Greer,” he added as he pushed his hips forward, going deeper. “Let me love you every day and cherish you each night.” The slight sinful swivel of his hips was all it took. I ignited around him in such an intense orgasm that for a moment it took my breath away. His movements continued and prolonged my pleasure, and my fingers dug into the flesh of his hips. A deep moan escaped him as he, too, reached that moment of bliss. Our fate had been sealed. There was no way to stop it, no way to control it. I had fallen irrevocably in love with Darren, and there was no coming back. I wanted to get lost in him and forget all the wrongs of my past. I wanted to surround myself with nothing but this man and his sweet girls. And whatever our future may bring.

Chapter 35

Darren Things had picked up at work. A new subdivision was going up a few miles just outside of town and I’d landed the bid. It was a huge opportunity for my company. I’d expanded my crew, and that meant more time away from home. A project like this involved an extreme amount of details and it needed structure. And authority. There were too many new guys working on it for me not to oversee things. But in the process, I missed my girls, a term that now included Greer. I was a lucky man. I had two sweet, beautiful daughters and an amazing woman who loved me. I’d go home every night to find them waiting for me to share smiles and hugs, I love yous and miss yous. A greeting like that made a man feel special. I worried at first that Greer would grow bored, but she kept busy. She enrolled the girls in gymnastics alongside their dance classes. As if that wasn’t enough, the three of them and my mother took a ceramic class once a week. My house was now filled with the little knickknacks they’d made and then painted. Greer was now part of the family. Everyone referred to her as such, and I could see the joy it brought to her. It was close to eight on a Tuesday night when I turned onto my street and slowed instantly. A familiar car sat in my driveway, one I hadn’t seen in some time. Lynn’s parents. We talked often, including over Skype so they could see the girls. But they hadn’t visited in almost a year. They sold everything, and decided to travel the world after Lynn. I knew it was a way to cope with their loss, and I guess we all had our ways we dealt with the hard times. This was theirs. Knowing they were alone inside with Greer made me nervous. I’d told them over and over what she meant to me and the girls, but I’d never planned on her meeting them for the first time without me. I pulled into the driveway behind Greer’s car, wondering why she hadn’t called me when they arrived. Just as I was about to place my key in the lock, I jumped in surprise at the sound of Lynn’s father’s voice. “You’ve got a good woman in there.” I turned to the left to find Simon sitting in the chair tucked back in the corner of the porch, hidden by the darkness. He chuckled at my surprised expression. “Didn’t expect us to be here, did you?” he said as he stood and moved into the light of the front porch. “No, but you know you’re always welcome.” That was the truth. He pulled me in for a hug. “Greer is amazing,” he said, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“She is,” I replied. “And she’s so great with the girls.” Once I said it, that familiar sense of guilt washed over me. I loved Greer, and I loved that the girls had her now too. We were a family now. I just wasn’t sure Simon wanted to hear that when his daughter should have been the one loving our children. “I can see that,” he said as he stepped back. “We’ve only been here a couple hours, but we could see immediately how much they love her. And how much she in turn adores them. Believe it or not, that made Lisa and me very happy.” I nodded, knowing her loss still hurt them too. “I never expected you to spend your life alone, Darren, and Lynn wouldn’t have wanted that either. Vivian and Violet deserve to have a mother figure in their lives, and that woman you’ve got in there is a keeper. You can almost feel the compassion and love pouring off her.” “She’s one of the good ones,” I assured him, and he smiled. “Shall we go inside and rescue her from Lisa?” he asked with a chuckle, and I smiled too. Lisa could be just as overwhelming as my own mother at times. We found the girls, meaning all three of mine as well as Lisa, in the kitchen. Violet was squealing in delight as Lisa helped her add spoonfuls of cookie batter to a tray on the countertop. Vivian and Greer stood just behind her, a spatula in each of their hands, removing freshly baked chocolate chip cookies from another cookie sheet. I took in a deep breath. Each day I fell deeper in love with Greer. She was always doing something special with the girls, like taking them on a trip to the beach or a walk in the park, or baking something sweet with them. The woman was full of so much love that there was no way people couldn’t be happy in her presence. She comforted the girls when they needed it and showered them with love even when they weren’t looking for it. I’d worried my girls would never know the love of a mother, but that was no longer possible. From the way she behaved with them, an outsider would never have known she didn’t share the same blood as Vivian and Violet. She was our gift, our angel. When our eyes made contact from across the kitchen, I winked at Greer, and the redness in her cheeks made me smile. It was still so easy to get a rise out of my sweet girl. Simon and I remained off to the side, just watching as the ladies moved around the kitchen with grace. They had perfected some type of assembly line, it seemed. In that moment I realized that though Lynn wasn’t here physically, she was still with us in spirit. I saw her daily in Vivian, in her kindness and her need to take care of those around her, like making sure her daddy had his milk with dinner and his keys when he left for work. Or the way she combed Violet’s hair with her fingers as they sat side by side to watch cartoons. I heard Lynn’s laughter in Violet’s voice. She even tilted her head to the side and covered her mouth with her hand the way Lynn used too. Each time Violet giggled, I closed my eyes for a moment and held on to the sound for as long as I could. I knew if Lynn were here, she’d approve of Greer because the love this woman has for me and my daughters wasn’t a selfish love. She gave us her all, and just when you’d think she couldn’t do anything more to prove her devotion to us, she’d surprise you and do something else. I wanted to spend the rest of my life loving this amazing woman profusely, unconditionally, and without hesitation. Greer was my future; she was our future.

Chapter 36

Greer I sat on the back deck looking over at the blue house that had been the beginning of the rest of my life. When I’d agreed to take a mini vacation from life, I hadn’t realized I was being led toward the man that would complete me and the two girls that would bless me with their love. My mother called only moments ago, and I could tell she had something she wanted to say, but she was stalling. This concerned me, because I suspected it meant that whatever she had to say wouldn’t be something I wanted to hear. “So,” she said finally, dragging out the word. “We, um….” “Just say it, Mom,” I encouraged her. Things had changed for me over the last few weeks. I still had rough days, but I made it through most of them without a single tear of sadness, though tears of joy were common around Darren and the girls. “We got an offer on the house,” she said so quietly I almost missed the words, “and I’m going to accept it.” I could tell from her tone that she thought it would bother me. In a way it did, but not nearly as much as when she first told me she was selling it. “Do you remember Mr. Jackson,” she began again with caution, “from the hardware store on Meeker?” “Yes,” I replied. Mr. Jackson used to give us kids free Blow Pops every day after school when we’d pass his store on the way home. He was a kind man who would stand on the corner and make sure the children got across the street safely before he’d wave and go back inside his store. He also joined my father in his monthly poker games that the kids were never allowed to attend. I know it had a lot to do with the naked ladies that were on the faces of the cards the men chose to use. Oh, and the excessive cussing from those who would lose and have to go home to explain to their wives why they couldn’t take them out for dinner or they couldn’t get their hair done. “His grandson and his wife are moving to town.” My mother’s voice pulled me out of my trip down memory lane. “They’re planning to take over the store after Mr. Jackson retires.” She paused again, and I weighed her words, noticing I didn’t feel as sad as I thought I would. “They fell in love with the house, and they have a baby on the way,” she added, and I smiled. “It’s perfect, Greer. Another family will build memories to last a lifetime there,” she whispered. “Just like we did,” I said, and it was true. That made me happy. “It’s perfect,” I assured her, and she sighed in relief. “I’m okay, Mom,” I told her, hoping she’d believe me. “Each day it gets a little easier. And even though I never actually visited Carolina Beach with you and Dad, I feel like both of you are with me always.” “Your father would be proud of you,” she stated, and I teared up. It was all I ever wanted. “I’m

proud of you,” she added, and I blinked as a tear dripped down my cheek. “And I’m proud of you,” I assured her. “You are the kind of woman I hope to be.” I was raised by two of the most amazing people who gave me all I needed and more. I was who I am because of them. “I love you, Greer,” she said, and I closed my eyes for a moment. I was a grown woman, yes, but I still got emotional when my mother expressed her love, especially after losing my dad. I understood more than ever why it was so very important to show love to those you cared for. A day that passed without taking that opportunity was a day I would never get back, so I resolved to love hard and show it to everyone. “I love you too, Mom,” I said in return. “And come visit soon. The girls miss you too.” Violet and Vivian had asked about my mother over the last few weeks. They created a bond with her during her visit, and I could see many memories in the making. “You give those sweethearts big hugs from Nana Wendy,” she said, and I could sense her smile. “And tell them I’ll plan a trip soon.” I was just about to say good-bye when she spoke again. “Oh, and hug that man of yours for me and tell him to send me a bottle of that cologne he wears. Damn, that boy smells good.” I laughed as she said good-bye. She had definitely been spending too much time with Gran and Aunt Stella. *** “Are you sure you’re okay?” Darren asked as he stepped up behind me and wrapped me in his arms. I leaned back into his embrace and let my head rest against his chest. I loved when he held me like this, and the way he’d bury his nose in my hair. It made me feel so safe. “I’m good,” I assured him. He’d come home from work shortly after I spoke with my mother and listened as I told him my parents’ home had sold. He didn’t try to comfort me when I teared up. I think he knew if he had, I would have broken, not because it would have upset me but because Darren always brought out my vulnerability when I was trying to hide it. Darren was my safe place. He was the one person who I knew would never judge me, no matter how I felt or whether I was wrong or right. Later that night, long after the girls had gone to bed, he took the opportunity to make sure I didn’t need to break. “You amaze me,” he whispered before he kissed my temple. “Every day you give me another reason to love you more.” When I was younger, I fell for the fairy tales of heroes rescuing the woman they loved and giving them the happy ending all people wished for, but my fantasies had been tainted by a man who wasn’t a hero. The greatest thing about Darren was that he made me believe in those dreams again. He made me realized that just because there are villains in the world, that doesn’t mean heroes don’t exist. Darren was definitely my hero.



Epilogue

Ten months later Darren My hands shook, my palms were sweating, and my stomach rolled uncontrollably with each step I took. I left the house two hours ago, leaving Greer under the impression that I was going to be tied up all day with paperwork. Now here I stood, watching from a distance as Greer and the girls played in the sand. They hadn’t yet noticed me, and I was glad. Someone who hadn’t met Greer would never have known she wasn’t Vivian and Violet’s biological mother. Along with all of them having blonde, wavy hair, Greer treated them as if they were hers. That was another thing I was thankful for. Just last month Violet called Greer Mommy and my heart raced. I wasn’t sure how Greer would react, but when she took Violet in her arms and held her tightly, my chest tightened. Though she tried to hide it, I saw her crying into Violet’s hair, and it brought tears to my eyes too. It was a beautiful moment, one that assured me that I was about to do the right thing. Not that I had any doubts prior to their interaction. Vivian was the first to notice me approaching. “Daddy,” she squealed, waving her arms in the air, and Violet and Greer spun around to look at me. I faltered for a moment as I took in Greer’s appearance. She wore a rosy-pink bikini that hugged her body in all the right places—places only I should see enhanced. I looked around the beach in search of any bastard that dared to admire what was mine. The few men down on the sand were in luck because they weren’t looking in our direction. Greer smiled as she stood, still holding the bucket and shovel she’d been playing with only moments ago. I stepped up to them, attempting to block the sun that had her squinting. “Hey, handsome,” she said with a gleam in her eyes as she placed her free hand on my left hip. I didn’t hesitate before hooking her around the waist and pulling her body as close to my own as possible. “Hi,” I said as I moved in for a kiss. I kept it simple. After all, we were in the presence of the girls, and strangers. But in my mind it was a whole lot dirtier. “I like this,” I told her as I pulled back and traced the string on her hip that tied one tiny triangular piece to the other. “Why am I only seeing it for the first time?” I looked at her chest and may have groaned at seeing the swell of her perfect breasts peeking out on each side. “I take that back,” I said, knowing I sounded as if I was in pain. Hell, I was in fucking pain. “I love this,” I corrected, and she grinned wider.

“If you’re a good boy, maybe I’ll model the other two I bought later for you.” She wagged her eyebrows, and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from saying the dirty shit rolling around in my head. I really needed to reel this in fast. Erections on public beaches were definitely a bad thing. “I thought you had to work?” she asked, changing the subject. Apparently she also felt what our conversation was causing. “I did,” I assured her, “but I may have embellished a bit about the amount of work I had to do.” She gave me a questioning look and I grinned wide. “I had something else to take care of.” She continued looking at me curiously. “I wanted to surprise you,” I added as I stepped back, creating a little space between us. “I am surprised,” she assured me as she glanced to her side to check on the girls. They were playing contently in the sand, which gave me the opportunity to follow through with my plans. I slowly lowered myself to one knee and pulled the ring box from my back pocket. Greer instantly covered her mouth with her hand, and I will admit I fucking loved her reaction. “Darren,” she whispered as I lifted the box and opened the lid. I’d spent weeks searching for the perfect ring online, and when I finally ran across the one that screamed Greer, I went for it without giving a second thought to the amount I’d spend. Now, I’m a dude, and things like this don’t mean much to me, but apparently it was Greer’s fantasy ring. Her mother told me that when Greer was younger, she’d often talked about the perfect ring. And when I found the vintage princess-cut pink diamond with a square white diamond halo, her mother assured me it was pretty close. I just knew it belonged on her finger, like it had been made specifically for her. “How?” she whispered, her eyes instantly growing glossy. “It’s the—” she tried, as if she couldn’t form the word. “I want to give you everything you’ve ever wanted,” I said. By now the girls had noticed something was taking place and had joined me as I knelt before Greer. They looked at the ring, expressing great interest in the shimmering diamonds. They didn’t know I’d also got them a gift that was waiting at home. Though it wasn’t shiny jewelry, it was fury and barked, so they’d be ecstatic. Boots, on the other hand, would probably not like me much. “I told myself that when I found the perfect ring, I was going to place it on your finger,” I began. “And I almost gave up and decided to settle for any ring because I was growing impatient.” She laughed at my confession, because she knew I wasn’t a patient guy when it came to her. “But just when I was about to settle, I saw it. The perfect ring. And I knew what that meant.” My heart was racing. “To me it was a sign that neither of us would ever have to settle. Because together we can have it all.” Tears rolled along her cheeks as she nodded in agreement. “With you by my side, I know I will always have more than I ever could have imagined. You’re beautiful, generous, and selfless. You put me and the girls first all the time, and your kindness overwhelms me daily.” My throat grew tight with a rush of emotions. “And I’d be honored to call you my wife.” Her lip trembled and she tried to hold back her tears, but it was impossible. “Angel,” I whispered, taking her hand. “Will you marry me?” “Yes,” she cried as she leaned down and wrapped her arms around my neck. I stood, lifting her body with mine, and for a moment I just held her. Her body shook against mine and I continued embrace her,

allowing the emotions to roll through her. “I love you so much,” she said. It was muffled, but I heard it. “I love you too,” I replied just as the girls wrapped their arms around our legs and squealed. I don’t know if they knew exactly what they were happy about, but they were happy all the same.

Bonus Chapter

Six months later When I was a girl, I dreamed of having a wedding fit for a beautiful princess, one with gorgeous, flowing dresses and so many flowers that the aromas would fill the air around us, drowning out any other scent. The men in their perfectly fitted tuxes would lead the women around, whose long, beautiful gowns would trail out behind them. I’d wear my mother’s veil as I’d spin in circles, my eyes closed and my head tilted toward the sky. It was a dreamland I created in my mind because one day I hoped to have all those things. And now here I was. No, the men weren’t wearing white as my childlike mind once imagined, but their black tuxes were just as impressive. The women didn’t wear pale pink, but the champagne color of their dresses beautifully contrasted with the beach behind them. But the flowers, oh, the flowers were the same. They were in every corner and on every available space. Petals lay at our feet, and bouquets stood tall in waist-high vases that were perched on the ends of every row of seating. A light breeze came in from the ocean and made the sweet scent flow over the area we occupied. It was like a dream, like my dream. I stood back watching as some of the guests closed their eyes and took a moment to breathe in the same aroma that filled my nose. It was the perfect setting, and in just a few short minutes, I would be led to the altar were the man I adored awaited me. Darren had done this. He took my childhood dreams and made them a reality by making sure the images in my mind were reflected on this special day. I still found myself wondering how I got so lucky. Darren and the girls were a dream come true. And after today we would truly be a family. A family with two of the sweetest girls and a man that would do whatever it took to keep us safe. That was the best kind of happy a girl could ask for. *** Darren held me close, his palm pressed against the small of my back. The tingling sensation I felt from the gentle flutter of his fingers made my pulse race. I looked up at the man that had given more than I ever dreamed of, and for a moment I got lost in his gorgeous eyes—eyes that made me believe in forever. “I wished for this,” I told him as I ran my hand up through the hair at the back of his neck. His eyes closed for a moment as my touch made him feel completely at peace. “I wished for us my whole life,

though I didn’t know you then. But I feel now like I was always meant to find you.” He opened his eyes and remained silent, but I could see the effect my words had on him. We were married now, bonded for life. Promised to one another for eternity. Nothing could break us. “I feel like all those dreams I had as a little girl have finally come true and for once I’m being granted the happy ending I’ve always only dreamed of. You gave me that.” He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine as we swayed together. Everyone around us watched as we shared our first dance as husband and wife, but I felt as if we were all alone, just the two of us. “And the two princesses who I’ve fallen head over heels for are the most precious gift of all. I’m so happy you’ve chosen me to be a part of their lives, a part of yours.” I kissed him once more. “I will treasure that gift always.” Once our song was complete, I stepped back and watched as Darren took his girls in his arms and shared a dance with them too. They each held on to their daddy, looking at him as if he hung the moon. And I knew in their minds he had. Because I had once felt that way about my own father. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room as we all watched Darren share that special moment with Violet and Vivian. I never met Lynn, but in a way I feel like I knew her. It’s in the way Vivian watches over her little sister and the way she carefully hovers, making sure Violet is safe at all times. It’s in her eyes, because they’re the mirror image of all the photos I’ve seen of her mother. Darren says Violet’s laugh reminds him of Lynn’s. It doesn’t bother me in any way that he still reminisces about his times with Lynn. He does it so carefully that I know he worries it will offend me. He’s amazing like that. But I want him to remember her. I want him to share those memories with their daughters because they deserve to hear how much he and Lynn loved each other. They should feel safe to talk about the woman that helped give them life. They will always only have one mother, but given the chance, I will always be there for them. And I will always be grateful that I’ve been gifted the chance to be a part their lives. Vivian and Violet have become my gems too. I took a chance by daring to dream that somewhere was a man who would be my hero, that one person I could share my days and nights with, who would love me and protect me. It was a leap of faith that I would do all over again if I had to. The only thing I would change is that I would jump sooner. Because there is nothing I regret about the love I share with Darren. And later when we were alone, after the guests were gone, and it was just him and me, I’d share with him my secret. I’d show him the test I took only hours before I became his wife, and together we would celebrate the fact that this time next year we’d have one more sweet child to love.

Acknowledgements

The Charmed Girls, you are all amazing. The continued support you show me is something I will never be able to express just how much it means to me. Thank you all for sharing my work and for just being you. You are all the greatest bunch of ladies. https://www.facebook.com/groups/702393513116443/ Thank you, Lydia, Fred, my Cheryl. You are the cheese to my macaroni, the salsa to my chips. I fricking love you to pieces. And before this goes into awkward territory let me just say you are true friends and motivators. Always making me laugh and smile. We are an amazing team, and your friendship means the world to me. Thank you for being some of my biggest cheerleaders. To my husband and children. Thank you for being the best part of my days. For tolerating me when I get lost in the world of fiction and understanding that sometimes dinner may be a little late. Jayden and Tayler, no matter how many books I write, you two will always be my best creations. My readers, I am always so humbled by your support. I will never be able to express my gratitude for you. You just cannot put something like that into words, believe me I have tried, and each time I feel it is not enough. Those random messages I received after you read my books, whether it be something big or small, I truly love them. Hearing what you think, in my eyes, is one of the greatest things about releasing a new book. I am never too busy for you. Golden Czermak, the genius behind that lens of Furious Fotog. You are the bomb. A true artist. And the images you capture are so breathtaking. I don’t think I have ever seen a picture you’ve taken that I didn’t love. RJ Ritchie, once again it has been a pleasure working with you. Humble, kind, and easy on the eyes, it’s hard to find the combination of all those, but you got ’em all. I appreciate your support and look forward to many more covers in the future. Oh, and again, great job when suggesting that I choose the pink for the cover. I love it! It looks amazing.

About the Author

A little about me, let’s see where to start. I love HEA stories, as long as they come packing a little heat. I need some excitement, some angst, and moments that make me fan my face, those are always good too. I am an Illinois girl, born and raised. Simple and true, it honestly doesn’t take much to make me happy. I love the little things, they truly mean the most. I may have a slight addiction to my new Keurig, oh my, that thing is a godsend. And so fast too. I have two children who truly are my very best friends. Their faces never fail to put a smile on my face. I have been married to my husband for sixteen years, and even though at times I want to beat him with a stick, I would never change the years we have had. We have learned and fallen, only to pick each other up, dust off the ache, and help each other make it right. I am one of those authors that adore my fans. I love to hear from you. After all, it is because of each one of you that I continue to write. I look forward to you feedback. Be sure to follow me to stay up-to-date on all my upcoming releases. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-CA-Harms/354791947956151 Twitter: https://twitter.com/charms0814 Blog: http://authorharms.blogspot.com/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6895633.C_A_Harms Newsletter: http://bit.ly/1xsgHCS