“Love you too, Sweetheart,” I choke. “Daddy loves you too.”
Jenson’s holding Molly’s hands and performing silly dance moves with her in the center of the dance floor. Her head is thrown back in delight as giggle after giggle spills from her.
“He’s found someone to hang out with who’s the same age of mental maturity as himself.”
I snort as Vincent hands me a fresh glass of whiskey.
“I think Molly’s more advanced, personally. And she wears a bear onesie better than him.”
“True.” Vincent chuckles.
We watch the two of them for longer before he asks, “So how are you doing?”
“Fine.”
“Fine?” His tone implies he thinks I’m talking bullshit.
He knows me so well.
“I’m… wondering how she’s getting on,” I admit, begrudgingly.
“Tate’s a smart girl. She’ll be able to handle herself.”
I drink some of my whiskey so I don’t have to form an answer that’s any more eloquent than a grumbled grunt of agreement. One that also hides the unnecessary flare of jealousy that strikes me as Vincent speaks about Tate with a small hint of familiarity.
She went on one date with him.One. And she told me she didn’t wantcomfortable.
But the whole idea of her with any other man makes me damnun-comfortable.
Because she’smine.
At least, in my head she always will be.
And Vincent’s right. She is smart. She’s incredible. And I know she’s got this new job in the palm of her hand. But I still struggle with the fact she didn’t want me to help her iron out the finer details of her contract. It took a lot of persuading for her to relent and allow Jones to assist her, on the understanding that I stepped back and let her take the lead.
She wanted to do it herself.
She got this job off her own merit. And after allthe ways I’ve interfered, I get why she wanted to negotiate it on her terms.
I just wish I knew how the hell she was. We haven’t spoken since I left for Cape Town a few days ago for the wedding.
The day I played to her in the street and told her I loved her.
The day she graciously declined my offer to help her set up things for her move to LA.
The day she also said she just needed time.
I’m trying so damn hard to give it to her, when all I want to do is call her and ask her how she is.
She’s in LA today, signing the contract for her new job.
When Molly and I get back to New York it’ll only be a couple of days until she leaves for good.
I’m praying to God the time she asked for results in her coming back and telling me she wants to make things work.
I can fly over there as much as possible. And fly her back to visit.
I’ll do whatever I can not to lose her.
