Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
“Actually, it is.”
“I’m just messing with you.” He winked. “Call me Craig.”
“Craig. Thank you.”
He raised his chin. “What’s up?”
I sucked in a breath.
Here goes.
“It’s important to me that you approve of my relationship with Blair. I know this sounds hypocritical, but if I had a daughter, I think I’d want to kill a guy if he got her into the predicament Blair found herself in. I have a hard time reconciling the fact that this happened the way it did with the idea that I wouldn’t be okay in the same situation if it were my daughter. So, I can only imagine how you feel about me.”
He chuckled. “I think one thing we have in common right now is that we realize we have little control over the decisions our kids make. Just as you can’t control Taylor’s reaction to this situation, I’ve never been able to control Blair, particularly once she got to be a legal adult.” Craig shrugged. “I’m not gonna lie. I had every reaction at first that you probably feared I did. I wanted to kill you. I never thought I’d be able to stand across from you and not at least want to deck you.”
I swallowed and let him continue.
“But the truth is, I don’t want to deck you. Blair seems happier than I’ve ever seen her. She says nothing but amazing things about you, and that was the case even when we thought you were just a phantom who’d never reappear in her life.” He paused. “You’re also my grandson’s father. So I have to be respectful of that. I don’t have any intention of standing in the way of your relationship with my daughter.”
“I appreciate that so much.” I let out a relieved breath. “And in that case, I want to ask you something.”
He nodded once. “All right.”
“I don’t know when, but I plan to ask Blair to marry me. I’m hoping to have your blessing.” I swallowed.
Craig stared up at the sky for a moment. “Look, if the biggest problem I have with you is your age, that’s not enough of a reason to dim my daughter’s happiness. If you love her as much as you claim to, and if she loves you as much as I know she does, then yes. You have my blessing.”
I let out another long exhale. “Thank you. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.” I laughed nervously. “I’ve had literal nightmares about your reaction to this.”
“I wouldn’t say your fears are totally unfounded.” He flashed me a warning look. “As long as you’re alive, there’s still room for you to mess up. And if that happens, you’ll have to contend with me. In the meantime, if you and my daughter have another kid, I’ll be hoping it’s a girl.” Craig smirked. “You know, so I can sit back and laugh when you get to see firsthand how little control you have over your own daughter someday.”
Great. I shivered at the thought. “Appreciate the…well wishes.” I gritted my teeth and smiled.
He smacked me playfully on the shoulder. “My pleasure.”
Chapter 37
* * *
BLAIR
Tate had just left the house for a worksite one morning when there was a knock at the door.
Assuming he’d returned because he’d left something behind, I opened it, shaking my head. “I knew you’d forget something. I—”
But it wasn’t Tate. My heart clenched. “Taylor…”
He slipped his hands into his pockets and murmured, “Hey.”
I stepped aside. “Come in.”
He wiped his shoes on the mat. “Thank you.”
The comfort he’d once had when he stopped by to visit was nowhere to be found. This Taylor was cautious and wary.
“He’s not here,” I told him, assuming he’d meant to catch Tate before he left for work.
“I know. I waited for him to leave so I could talk to you alone. That’s what I can handle right now.”
“Okay.” I smiled sympathetically. “Can I make you a coffee? I have peppermint creamer. I know you like that.”
“That would be amazing.” He took a seat on the couch. “Thank you.”
“Be right back.”
As I went to the kitchen and prepared his coffee, I agonized over the situation. Tate wanted so badly for Taylor to reach out. And now he had, but specifically avoiding him. Agh. At least this was a small step in the right direction.
I returned to the living room and handed him a steaming cup of coffee. I’d added a little whipped cream, too.
“This is much needed. Thank you.” He took a sip, then set the cup on the coffee table. “I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get in touch.”
I sat on the opposite end of the couch. “Please. There’s no need for you to apologize. I’m just happy you’re here.”
“I needed some time before I was able to talk about it.”
I had to stop myself from launching into a monologue. There was much I wanted to say, but I tried to prioritize. “You know I never meant to hurt you, right? I had no idea he was your father when I met him, and from the moment I found out the truth at your wedding, I’d been trying to protect you and determine the best time to tell you. I’m so sorry you found out the way you did. I—”