“Perfect, and I’m a notary, so you two sign these, and it’s official. We can add the others anytime I'm here, eighteen hours a day, most of the time,” she hands me a pen, and we sign.
As we walk out of Hugo Vale's office, Paul chuckles, “Well, it’s official, Moretti was right, I'm Poppa Paul.”
“And she is so lucky to have you,” my voice breaks.
“Not as lucky as I am to have you two.” His voice does the same.
Stepping off the elevator onto the floor where Paul’s and Deacon’s lawyer, Liza Harrow, conducts business, Paul decides he needs to use the bathroom, and I do the same.
I flexmy hand as we walk out of the building, and Paul chuckles. “I cannot believe how many times I had to sign my name for a lease in New York City.”
“Ridiculous.”
“What's ridiculous is that you're only charging me $1000 a month.”
“What's ridiculous is you’re not hearing me, that’s for the courts, I don’t need a thing. The place is paid off, I got a bank account that takes care of taxes, old man insurance, and social security checks. I don't want your money, kid. That house was never about making a dime.”
“Well, as your lawyer stated, it's important to show that I am actually a responsible adult by paying rent.” I feel a bit of panic, “This is going to work right?”
“That bigwig up on the top floor can’t do it. I'll sell the house and use every cent I have to make sure that you and this little sweetheart aren't separated. Hell, we’ll become Canadian.”
“And Canada loves hockey.” I smile.
“Canada, it's been years since I've been up north. Can't say as I miss it, but I do have a place up there if we need to hide out, Patsy loved it at our place by the river.”
I watch as Deacon Moretti steps out of a vehicle and walks around it, opening the door. “Kids obsessed with me.”
“I heard that old man.” Deacon shakes his head and opens the front passenger door.
Paul settles into the passenger seat and Deacon closes the door gently behind him. When he turns back, that tug at the corner of his mouth is still there, small but impossible to ignore.
“Now let’s try this again,” he says, voice dipping into something lighter. “Can I give you two a ride?”
I hesitate, because I’m supposed to say no. I’m supposed to call James.
“I should call—” I begin.
But he cuts in, not abruptly, just… knowing. “Already handled.” He nods toward the building behind me—Sofie’s. “I just talked to her. Told her I was headed that way to see Koa anyway.”
There’s a flutter in my chest I don’t appreciate.
“So, you two are covered,” he adds, nodding at Savannah with a softness I can feel more than see. “No pressure. Just a ride.”
Just a ride. Sure.
He bends down and smiles at her, “What do you think, little one?”
She kicks her feet, smiles, and laughs that big, beautiful laugh.
He looks at me, shocked, “Is this new?—”
“She found her big girl voice today,” I answer.
“And that smile?” I nod, unable to answer without getting choked up as he opens the door. “Paul, check this out.”
“Damn it, little puck, you’re going to make an old man cry,” she squeals and laughs. “Yeah, that’s how all women react when they realize they’ve got you by the —”
“Watch it.” Deacon chuckles.
