Blake’s frame froze solid.
Dair went to her and pressed his hand to her back.
“She means a great deal to me. Your mother knows. She also knows I haven’t told you girls. And she intends to share it with you. Your phone is probably ringing right now,” Ned finished.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Blake asked in a small voice.
“Perhaps we should—” his mother started.
“We were building our family back up again, darling,” Ned said softly. “I wanted you girls to have my full attention.”
“She means a great deal to you?” Blake asked.
“Yes,” Ned pushed out. “A great deal.”
“And your daughter just got married and you didn’t invite her?” Blake’s tone was now sharp.
Oh hell.
“Lassie,” Dair murmured.
Her head whipped toward him. “Fuck that, Dair.” She returned to her father. “How did this Marlo feel about that?”
“It upset her,” Ned admitted.
“I’ll fucking bet!” Blake near on shouted.
“We’ll leave you to—” his mother tried again.
“Don’t shout at me, Blake,” Ned ordered. “As disappointed as Marlo was, I made the right decision. I put other things before my daughters their whole lives. That had to stop. You’re my priorities.”
“Well, newsflash, daddy,”—ah, Christ, that “daddy” wasn’t near as nice—“you are our priority too.” She slammed her hands on her hips and yelled, “Oh my God! You froze out your girlfriend from Alex’s wedding. You’re never going to come back from that!”
“Marlo understands,” Ned asserted.
“How long have you been seeing her?” Blake demanded.
“A while,” Ned hedged.
“How long?” Blake pushed.
“Over a year.”
Oh fuck.
“What?” Blake shrieked.
Dair pressed harder into her back.
“Blake—” Ned began.
“You’ve been seeing her over a year?” Blake asked.
“Yes,” Ned confirmed.
“So, is she upset or is she pissed?” Blake demanded.
“Pissed,” Ned confessed.
