The corners of Cash’s lips turn up, and he tilts his chin behind me. Nervously, I follow his gaze, looking over my shoulder to find Hendrix, talking to Margo.
“What the fuck are you talking about, Cash?” My dad tries to keep his growl to a minimum, but it doesn’t work. “What did you do?”
Cash glances at my dad. “Mr. Hardy, I know he’s rough around the edges, and I know that he’s got a bit of a past. But he’s a good guy. And most of all, he’s crazy about Isla.”
My dad’s body tenses, and his jaw tightens. “I don’t care. She’s my daughter. I can’t just let her go off with some guy who could hurt her.”
“Hardy, I love you, man.” Cade steps closer to him. “You’re the best guy and father that I know. But I promise, whatever you think you know about Hendrix, it’s not the full picture. Has he done some things? Yes. Were they all his fault? No.” Cade reaches up, pushing his hand onto my dad’s shoulder. “He’s a good kid, Cam. I know he is. He was just handed some really shitty cards in life, but he’s doing his best to turn it around.” Cade looks at me, giving me a tiny smile. “We’ll give you two a minute to talk.”
As everyone else steps away, I look up at my dad. The greatest man I know. I don’t know what I expect him to say, but part of me knows him enough to know that it’ll all be okay.
My dad’s expression softens, though the concern is still written all over his face. Slowly, his gaze drops to mine, and his eyes grow sad. “I just worry about you, Isla. I know I’m over the top. I know that I keep you too close.” His eyes gloss over. “You’re my whole world. You’ve been my whole world since the first time I met you. And I guess … I guess I sometimes just don’t know how to let go. Afraid I may lose you.”
Reaching for his hand, I squeeze it. “I know, Dad.” I sniffle. “I swear, you’ll never lose me though.” Throwing my arms around him, I hug him tightly. “Thank you. Thank you for choosing me, even when you didn’t have to. I love you so much.”
Squeezing me back, he kisses the top of my head. “I’d choose you one million times over, I.” He gives me one last squeeze. “I’m so proud of the woman you have become.”
I may not have his eyes, his crooked grin, or his blood pumping through my veins, but it doesn’t matter. Because he’s more of a dad than anyone I know. He’s my dad, and I’d choose him over the asshole who fathered me any day.
When I finally release him, stepping back, his eyes are still glossy, and I’m a mess, but suddenly, I frown.
“Wait, if Cash bid on me to help Hendrix out … who bid on Hendrix?”
He frowns. “That’s a good question,” he utters, looking around.
Suddenly, his eyes land on someone, and I turn to see my mom standing with a group of other women, chatting with them.
As if my mom feels his gaze, her eyes cut to his, and within seconds, she’s walking our way.
“I take it you saw the bank transaction?” she mutters, almost cringing before she kisses his cheek. “It’s a good cause, babe.”
“You sneaky little thing you,” my dad murmurs, shaking his head lightly at my mom.
My mom looks at me, and she pulls me in for a hug. “What can I say? I had a thing for a guy once who my daddy told me to stay away from. And yet my mom was always his biggest fan.”
“Thank you, Mom.” I squeeze her tightly. “This means … so much.”
When she releases me, she brushes a curl off my cheek. “Go on, sweetie. I think someone is waiting for you.”
“Not sure he’s worth ten grand, but you know … I’m coming around to the idea all the time,” my dad mumbles, half joking. “All right, kid. Go on now. I’ve gotta remind your mom what happens to bad girls who go behind their husband’s back and spend ten grand.”
“Dad, ew,” I say, scrunching my nose up. “That’s disgusting.”
“Sorry.” He shrugs before he jerks his chin up and looks behind me.
I turn to find Hendrix. But he’s not standing with Margo anymore. Now, he’s all by himself. His eyes move to my dad’s, and I turn to watch his reaction. My dad gives him a polite nod, and when I whirl around again, Hendrix does the same.
“I love you. I love you. I love you!” I practically squeal, giving my dad a kiss on the cheek and my mom one last hug before rushing toward Hendrix without thinking twice.
I don’t care about the things he said or the problems he has.
What I’ve been feeling for him is too big not to take another chance on him. He deserves that.
I deserve that …
HENDRIX
Cam Hardy just actually gave me a slight nod, which has to mean one thing …
