Her dad just looked at her.
She flushed. “What?”
“I don’t think you’re an abusive partner.”
“Huh? I never said that.”
“You intimated you might be. We both know when you give your heart, you give it fully, without reservation. You’re an honest woman, Cassandra. You always have been. Especially with yourself. How do you feel about Mack?”
“I… I, um. I might love him.”
“The same way you loved Sean?”
“No. More. A lot more.” She frowned. “But that’s awfully quick, don’t you think? I was with Sean for a year. I’ve known Mack maybe a month.”
“People are both different and the same in their own way. Something in Mack helps you be more of who you need to be. I’d say the same goes for what you give him. Whatever it is you do for him, it makes him a better person. And if it doesn’t, that’s because you two aren’t meant for each other.”
“What? Like he’s my soul mate?” Cass didn’t know if she believed in such things.
Her father laughed. “Oh, God, no. Your mother believes in that claptrap, but I don’t. And don’t you tell her I said that.”
“She won’t hear it from me.”
“As we go through life, we have periods where we have certain needs. And those people we keep in our lives continue to fulfill us in the many ways that matter. But the couples who stay together, those are the people who can change and grow—together. No one can see into the future. I certainly can’t. But when I met your mother, I just knew. Everything about her, even the things I don’t like, are what pull me to her. That woman’s got a big brain and an even bigger heart. And I love all of her.”
“Even her insistence on seeing Uncle Pete every year?”
Her father grimaced. “Even that. She loves that old asshole. I have no idea why.”
“Dad.” Cass chuckled.
“You and your partner will never be the perfect people. No one’s perfect. But you might just be perfect for each other. Think about why you like Mack. I bet one of those reasons is he’s never tried to change you.”
“Like Sean did,” she said, remembering. “No. Mack likes me as competitive as I am.”
“Then why would you think he’d ever want you to give less than your best?”
“I don’t know. I guess I just got scared of the thought of losing him and tried to make sure he’d be so happy that he’d never break it off with me. That’s dumb.” She sighed and took another bite of her sub, growing full on the good food and good advice. “What did you think of him? You only met him once.”
“Yes, but your mother and I asked a lot of questions.” He smiled. “He’s someone I would have imagined you being happy with. He understands service, and he’s funny. Laid-back. You stress enough as it is.”
“Dad.” Not this again.
“You need something in your life that’s easy. Mack is extremely personable, smart, and fun to be around. Even your mother likes him, and not just because he has ‘dreamy blue eyes.’ Whatever that means.” Her dad’s eyes twinkled. “Didn’t hurt that he’s that fireman on all the Station 44 posters either. She’s been bragging to her friends that you’re dating him.”
“What?” Cass flushed. “We, I…”
“I know. You take a little bit longer to adjust to new things and new people. But you and he fit. I could tell, and so could your mom. The question is, do you want to take that next step and let him into your life? Or are you going to back out now before your heart gets broken? And it will at some point, Cass. Life is all about loving and hurting and recovering. And doing it all again.”
“Words to live by.”
He nodded. “And a sub to die by.” He sighed. “No telling your mother I got the full meat or she’ll be on me about my cholesterol.”
Cass smiled. “But you love her anyway.”
“I surely do. The question you have to ask yourself, do you love Mack anyway? And if you don’t, you’re not wrong.” He looked at her and smiled. “But if you can’t imagine living without that sharp-witted man by your side, you have to ask yourself why. The only one who can tell if you if you’re right or wrong is you.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
