Genius, I love you, I mouth.
Hiding a laugh, she mouthsI love youright back.
Dan might’ve had a point earlier.
I don’t want to rush into anything crazy, but what else will ever match this sweet insanity with Margot Blackthorn?
What else ever could?
I can’t wait forever.
Her grandfather went to his grave watching his hourglass run out. I’d be painfully foolish to make the same mistake.
Not in this life.
Not with this woman.
Definitely not when she’s as perfect with my kids as she is with me.
25
DADDY’S HOME (MARGOT)
Weeks Later
If I keep holding my breath, I’m going to pass out.
Here, right now, in my parents’ extravagant living room, before we accomplish anything.
Right in front of Hattie and Ethan, who flew down to be with us today. Right in front of Ares, too, Gramps’ adorably ancient basset hound who now lives with the happy couple. He sprawls at our feet, somewhere between napping and giving us the saddest puppy dog eyes.
They’re on one side and Kane sits on my other side, holding my hand. Not caring that I’m gripping his palm so hard it would be bone-crushing with a man who doesn’t have tiger paws for hands.
God.
Waiting, that’s the hardest part.
At least Hattie looks happy today. Her hair’s pulled up in a messy bun and she has the widest grin on her face. Probablybecause they’ve been spending plenty of time hitting the New York bookstores to find more inspiration for her shop.
She’s an easy girl and she loves to rattle off her bookish finds.
All it takes is books and a doting husband.
“I honestly didn’t see it taking off as well as it did,” Hattie says, her shoulder leaning against Ethan’s in silent support. His hand rests on her thigh.
I try not to smile.
I’ve never seen my big brother act the way he does with her.
She’s softened the first-class asshat, turning him back into the boy I remembered, before he became a teenage dickhead sideswiped by tragedy.
But those days are behind him, and his eyes flick to mine, then to Kane, cold and assessing.
It’s the first time they’ve met.
Not under ideal circumstances, either.
“But get this, I got Gwen LynnandM.E. Court coming in to do a mother-daughter signing next week! Two famous authors,” Hattie chatters.
