“Am I making a mistake by giving you my blessing to be with my daughter?” Gabriel questioned.
Jack glanced at me with undeniable love and back at my father. “Never.”
“Good luck, my friend.” Gabriel patted Jack on the shoulder.
My father turned back to me with a smile of acceptance. “I’ll leave the choice in your hands. But my advice? Don’t let fear impede true happiness.”
My father’s approval of me being with the person I loved more than anything else in this world other than my daughter shook me to the core. He permitted our affection, and the limitations had vanished. Tears glistened in my dad’s eyes as he stepped out of our way and went inside to his grandchild. No one stood in the way of our unknown future any longer, and there was a decision I had to make. One that would change our lives forever.
Jack glanced down at the property line separating us, and his eyes locked on me. He reached out for my hand, and I let him touch me. His caress with the pads of his thumbs across my skin made me tingle with electricity and the searing passion I had missed.
“I hurt you, Elle, and I see the error of my ways, but I never wanted to cause you pain. Love should come first. I should’ve stood up for you in the beginning, but I was a fucking coward. Goddamn terrified of my fucking affection for you and your persistent daughter.” Jack chuckled softly, and I laughed through the tears. “You’ve changed me, princess. I promise to be the man you’ve thawed and live every day for my girls. I love you so much, and there’s no amount of distance that can ever ruin the devotion I have foryou. Please let me be a part of your family because you and Faith are my world.”
I tapped the tip of my boot on the ground. “Will your grumpy side come along too?”
Jack grinned. “Anything for my girls.”
Screw the property line. I had waited too long for this moment. I grabbed Jack by the collar of his shirt and pulled him in for a kiss. A tender, sweet, and lovable heat seared between us until we parted.
“Good. I kinda fell in love with the grumpy side of you, and I missed him.” I smiled as our noses brushed, foreheads touched, and our lips caressed.
“We can’t have that, can we, little Elle Evergreen?” Jack dipped me.
I squealed, thrown off by the romantic side of Jack. The lovable, caring, and grouchy neighbor I never intended to love, but my happily ever after had always been with him. We were complete opposites, but opposites attract.
I giggled, “Never.”
I kissed him with undeniable passion.
BONUS EPILOGUE
Christmas Day
Jack
Ihad always hated Christmas. Loathed the holiday season with an undeniable passion because my heart was too fucking small. Only now, the damn ticker was two times too big, and the festivity wasn’t half as bad as I once thought it was.
With everyone gathered around the Christmas tree, dressed up in tacky sweaters, and full of glee, I sat back with Chip and pondered how I got so damn lucky.
I was fortunate enough to be a better man than I was because of this wonderful family who’d let me into their world, into their lives, and into their home. The Evergreens welcomed me with open arms, and I couldn’t wipe the goddamn smile off my face.
Faith unwrapped a present at record speed. “Mr. Timber! Santa got me a makeup kit too!”
The cheap bastard stole my gift. Way to pay attention, Old Saint Dick.
“Here, kiddo.” I rolled in my present to Faith on two wheels, and it had an enormous bow on top. “I got one up on Santa Claus.”
“Wow!” Faith’s mouth created a giantO. “An electric scooter! Thanks, Mr. Timber!”
Faith hugged my leg while Elle glared at me.
“What?” I shrugged. “It was on sale.”
“Electric scooters are in, Mom.” Faith ripped off the bow and tossed it aside.
“Yeah, Mom, you hear that? I boughtthetoy.”
Elle swatted my arm. “We don’t even have safety equipment. I can’t find her helmet anywhere.”
