“Can I take your drink order?” our server interrupts Bryson. She looks like she’s still in high school and eager to move as many tables as quickly as possible to make those tips. Which works for me. I have no desire to linger over conversation and age-old reminiscences.
Bryson turns his smile on her. His teeth are whiter than I remembered. And his charm is homier, as he gives the girl our order and thanks her. He’s gone fully corporate.
I could probably learn a thing or three from him.
Not that I’ll ever admit it to him.
As soon as the server leaves, he turns back to me, still in charming mode.
“Put that thing away,” I say. “I’m not one of your clients.”
He grins like he thinks I’m adorable. “My smile? I’m just happy you agreed to see me. I sure as hell don’t deserve it.”
“You know what men get?” I’ve had a long time to think about these things, and I’m not holding back on his behalf. “They get to walk away from their responsibilities and grow up on their own timeline. I had no choice but to grow the hell up as soon as Harper was born. I had to figure out how to take care of her and my parents, while you went away and clearly did very well for yourself.”
Finally, that damn smile falls. It doesn’t make me feel any better. “I owe you everything, Melly. And I’ll never stop owing you, okay? I’m here, and I’m all in. I will do whatever you want.” He leans in, so damn sincere. “Seriously. Want me to walk around town wearing a sign declaring how I let you down? I’ll do it. Want me to give you every dime I earn and live in a tent on the side of the mountain? I’ll do that too. I messed up so bad, Melly.Knowing how badly I messed up is the reason I didn’t come back until I could be a help to you and not a burden.”
And I believe him. Bryson may have changed, but not so much that he’s suddenly become a good liar. “I appreciate that, Bryson. I really do, but I’m not sure about letting you—”
The server sets his drink on the table, and I suddenly wish I’d picked a park bench or the library to meet with him. I want no interruptions or distractions.
“Can I take your order?”
We order. An omelet for me and pancakes for him.
“Still a pancakes guy,” I say, my smile slipping out.
He mock-glares at me. “You’ll never convince me waffles are better, Melly. Give it up.”
He sobers just as quickly. “And I get it. Of course you’re not going to be immediately comfortable with my walking back into Harper’s life. You wouldn’t be the amazing mother I’m sure you are if you were. I’ll do whatever you need me to do to prove—”
“Just promise me that no matter what happens, you won’t disappear out of her life again, Bryson. I’m giving you one chance. Screw it up and there won’t be a second until she’s eighteen and can tell you to go to hell herself.”
His face lights up with a joy that can’t be faked. “I swear it. I’m never walking away from Harper or you again.”
I snort. “Please don’t tell me you think there’s any chance in hell of you and me getting together again.”
He flashes me that damn charming smile. “Well, I mean, I hadn’t completely written off the idea.”
I want to relax into this banter, but I can’t quite yet. “There’s no judge in the world who’d take Harper from me and give you full custody, but I want you to promise me you’ll never try for it.”
He reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “Never, Amelia. I’ll put it in writing and have it notarized, okay? I’mnever going to try to take our girl away from you. I just want the opportunity to be in her life.”
“I want to prepare her for meeting you,” I say. Because what else can I do? I’m not going to keep Bryson and Harper apart, and there’s no point in dragging this out. Bryson has never been cruel, and all I can really do is hope he sticks around. As much as I’d like to, I can’t control the situation beyond that. “And the first few times you two get together, I want to be there, okay?”
His eyes widen. “Seriously? That’s it? You’re going to let me meet her?” He looks absolutely over the moon happy.
“I’m not going to keep Harper from her father. Why don’t you meet us at the playground this afternoon? Around two? I’ll text you the address.”
He’s practically vibrating with excitement. “I’ll be there. Thank you, Amelia.”
“She deserves to have a father, but fuck it up and I will destroy you. I have plenty of friends who’ll help me bury a body.”
“I won’t fuck it up. I swear.”
The server brings our food, and we dig in. I’m not sure what to say now that that’s out of the way.
Bryson doesn’t have the same problem. “Will you tell me about her? What was the delivery like? Was she a quiet baby or did she wake the whole neighborhood every night?”
