“I know you think I give you a hard time and don’t appreciate all you’ve done.”
I sighed, rubbing my eyes as I leaned forward. “I don’t—”
“Listen first, talk later, okay?” He held up a hand. “Your heart is the best thing about you—and your biggest crutch. I’m not sure if you realize that. You think if you keep an eye on me, you can somehow prevent anything bad from happening to me. That’s not how it works for me or Claudia or anyone. Bad things happen when they happen.”
I raised my head and noticed the gloss in my father’s eyes.
“My impossible boy.” He chuckled. “You were our miracle, and you still are. You’re in love. Enjoy it without worrying about your father all the damn time.”
He craned his neck toward the living room. “This is a great house. Your mother and I had big plans when we moved in. The best day was when we could finally make the spare room into a kid’s room. Not that we thought you’d end up sleeping in your teenage bed in your forties.”
A laugh slipped out as I nodded.
“It’s not so bad.”
“You need to apologize to Claudia. Groveling a little may help.”
“I know. She’s always been more than I deserve.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I’m lucky.”
“That you are. I think I know a way you can make it up to her.”
“Oh yeah?” I said, shooting him a wry grin. “How?”
“Ask her to move in.”
My eyes grew wide.
“This is a big house for just you. And it’s paid for, so you don’t have to worry about a mortgage or rent, so it’s dumb for you to give it up. Plus, Claudia is here most nights anyway now. She loves your grumpy, stubborn ass.” He exhaled a long breath and chuckled to himself. “Against all odds.”
“I love her too. So much it makes me a little nuts, but…it’s only been a few months. I may spook her if I ask her that now.”
“She’s seen you at your worst and still wanted to stick around. Then you babysat her and spied on her for all that time, and she didn’t run away. If she hasn’t been spooked by now, I think you’re good. If your mother and I taught you anything about life, it’s that time is limited.”
I nodded, dropping my gaze to the carpet before I lifted my head.
He shifted in his seat toward me. “Your mother would be so proud of how you stepped up for me without a second of hesitation, but she would want you and Claudia to start a great life, and she’d want me to be happy for the rest of mine.”
I’d never expected Claudia, but I couldn’t live without her. It was a big reason why Artie’s attack had shaken me so much. Because what if I’d lost her? She’d never wanted anything else from me except me, as I was. Dad was right. I couldn’t fix everything, but I could do something about this.
“You can think of a good grovel as you scrub the grit off that pan.” He smirked at me as he stood and headed to the living room.
I’d beg for her forgiveness for being the broody jerk she seemed to love anyway and bring her home.
* * *
By the timeI arrived at the bar, it was hard to find Claudia through the thick evening crowd. Snowflake-shaped lights were mixed with the glowing leaf ones draped along the counter and along the back of the bar.
Customers now referred to the bar as “The House” instead of Halman’s after the neon sign on the window was replaced. It still looked mostly the same after Jake and I’d refurnished the floors and some of the walls, other than the new barstools and couches in the back. Claudia was already so ingrained in every corner of this place, I felt her the second I stepped inside.
I wanted to step into my house and feel her everywhere too. I wanted her to own everything I had, like she’d owned me from almost the beginning.
I weaved through the crowd and found a seat at the counter as I searched for Claudia. I found her on the far end, laughing at something until she caught my gaze. Her wide grin shrank as she whispered something to Cece and headed in my direction.
“Good evening, Sergeant,” Claudia said, frowning as she dropped a napkin in front of me. “What can I get you?”
“I’d like to tell the owner that I’m the world’s biggest asshole and beg for her forgiveness. Is she around?”
She crossed her arms, glaring at me despite the twitch I spied in the corner of her mouth.
