She nodded but turned away from him and fished into her purse. “I just need a handkerchief or something.” She pulled out a pack of tissues, and as she opened it, she laughed at how long the process took her. “God, I feel sostupid.”
“It’s fine, angel. Tell your dad what’s on your mind.” Although, he already had his own ideas aboutthat.
“I love Art. I don’t want you to misunderstand what I’m feeling. I have enjoyed hearing the way you talk about him whenever we’re on the phone. The way you catch yourself telling me more about his day than your own. But…today, when I saw the way you were looking over at him, that look in your eyes… I saw how totally happy you were…and in love, and I couldn’t help but think that I never saw you look at Mom like that.” The tears slid free, her face trembling as it might have when she was young and struck with a fever. “I hate the thought that she had to live her life without ever having experienced something like that…something like that withyou. And I’m so sorry because I don’t think that’s fair for me to put on you, but it’s just what Ifeel.”
Wes put his arms around her, and it seemed that it was even easier for her to release her pain and sob as she clutched on to him the way she had when she had her heartaches growing up. When she failed a test or broke up with a boy. When she lost a competition or the ones she cared aboutmost.
As he could feel her finishing releasing some of her grief, Wes pulledaway.
“Look at me, angel,” he said, and when she did, he continued, “What your mother and I shared may have been different than what I share with Art, but it doesn’t mean I didn’t love her all the same. Just like the way I love you isn’t the same as the way I love Art, but if you think for a moment I would want to live a life without you, you know you’d be wrong. I loved your mother more than you can ever understand. She was my best friend in the world. She knew my secrets and I knew hers, and I don’t ever want you to go a minute of your life thinking I regretted any of it. You understand that? She was a beautiful person, and she gave me two of the greatest gifts of my life. Art can’t and doesn’t want to replace any of that. But he does make me happy, so very happy, Kelly. I didn’t know that life could feel this good anymore until I methim.”
Tears rushed out of the corner of her eyes once again, and another smile swept across herface.
“You deserve that, Dad. You really do. Thank you for saying that about Mom. I know I’ll be fine. I need some time to adjust, but I’ll be fine.” She took his hands in hers. “Since the two of you started seeing each other, I wanted it so much for you. Desperately wanted it, and it just scared me a little that it turned into something more than I could have evenimagined.”
“You and meboth.”
She laughed what sounded like a nervous laugh. “I’m going to go before I just fall apart into a total mess, but I’ll be fine, really. Maybe one day I’ll even find my ownArt.”
Kelly had her share of men over the years, but they had come and gone without her showing too much interest in establishing a love life. Her mind was more on her career and ambitions. She shared that with her father. This was the first she had spoken anything that seemed like she felt something was missing from herlife.
“Yes, but just remember what it’s really about,” he replied. “Someone who makes you happy—in whatever form it may take—be that a friend or a lover. Just keep the good ones close, my babygirl.”
They hugged again, Wes pleased that he was able to talk to her about his feelings, so that she really understood that Art wasn’t there to replace her mother. And feeling good about knowing he had his daughter’sblessing.
Wes returned to his townhouse, where Art was already in bed. He stirred and looked to Wes as he entered the bedroom. Wes climbed in beside him, crawling over and lying on hisside.
“You have a wonderful family,” Art toldhim.
“I’m lucky to havethem.”
“Kelly’s been too kind to me. She’s really gone out of her way to make me feel welcome. She seems to have a very generous spirit, like herfather.”
“She’s an incrediblegirl.”
“Yes, she is. And she thinks you’re pretty great too. Now my eyelids are about to claim victory here, so I’ll see you when I wakeup.”
“See you on the otherside.”
* * *
Art woke hours later.
It was dark out. Apparently, Field Day had kicked the energy out of both ofthem.
Art lay with his eyes open, staring at the ceiling illuminated by streetlamps. He couldn’t tell if it was the rush of adrenaline jump-started by all the activity or simply this unusual recognition that there he was, in bed with this man he adored, that stirred a new sort of excitement within him. Physically, yes, he was tired, but emotionally, he was more alert than everbefore.
A sound came from beside him, and he turned to see Wes rolling over on his side, gazing at him, his eyes sparkling in the light coming from outside. “I think I have a second wind.You?”
“Trying to decide if I need to take a pill or stay up and watch amovie.”
Wes rolled and scooted closer to him. “There are some other ways I figure we could spend thenight.”
“Naughty Wes,” Art said with a chuckle before Wes kissedhim.
When Wes pulled away, he said, “I might have a betteridea.”
“You look very suspicious right now, Wes Brenner. You can’t be up to anygood.”
