“If you spent more time with her, would you ask her to marry you?” Charlie wriggled closer to David. “That would make you our dad, except you’d be better than our real dad. We could spend lots of time together and you could take us on school camps and things.”
Andy’s steady gaze never left David’s face. “It wouldn’t be too bad having you as our dad.”
David knew Andy didn’t trust easily. Knowing he wanted him to be a permanent part of his life meant a lot. “I’d like to be your dad, too. But, sometimes, it doesn’t work out that way.”
Charlie frowned. “Why not?”
“Your mom might only want to be friends.”
“Oh.” Charlie thought about that for a moment. “That would be okay, too.”
“But that means you could leave,” Andy said.
The smile on Charlie’s face faded.
He felt the same sense of loss he could see on the boys’ faces. “I guess we’ll have to see what happens. Even if your mom and I don’t get married, I could still be your friend and visit you.”
“Do you promise?” Charlie asked.
David nodded. “I promise.” He knew Andrea cared about him. Deep in his heart, he wanted to believe that, one day, she would consider marrying him. But her experience of marriage was so traumatic he didn’t know if she’d ever want to share her life with another person.
At the moment, the best he could give the boys was his friendship. And, if that was all they ever had, it would have to be enough.
Chapter 24
By Saturday evening, Andrea was incredibly grateful for her friends. After a hectic week, they’d all pitched in to help decorate the café for Kylie’s baby shower. The only difference from what they’d planned was the early arrival of a beautiful six-pound baby girl.
The decorations they’d bought looked fabulous. Charlie and Andy had filled ninety balloons with helium. Most of them were decorating a balloon arch. The others had been strung with pink and white ribbon and were hanging from the ceiling.
“Does this look okay?” David asked. He was standing on top of the ladder beside a crystal chandelier, holding one end of a pink paper streamer.
“Maybe attach it a little higher. That’s it.” She stood back and admired what they’d achieved. The rabbit and unicorn posters had arrived on Thursday and looked fantastic. Paris and Jackie had made some lovely floral table decorations, and Mabel had donated enough pink ribbon to decorate the back of each chair with a bow. Kylie and Ben would love what they’d done, and so would the other guests they’d invited.
Vanessa came out of the kitchen holding a plate of muffins. “I made an extra batch for us. Who would like one?”
David grinned when everyone swarmed around the ladder. “I’ve never been so popular.”
Ethan handed him a muffin. “Don’t take this personally, but Vanessa’s baking outweighs your charming personality.”
Andrea bit into the chocolate muffin Paris handed her and groaned. “I hate to say it, but Ethan’s right. This is delicious.”
“I’m shocked,” David said as he joined Andrea.
“Try the muffin and then tell me I’m wrong.”
He bit into the chocolatey treat and sighed. “Okay, you win. The muffins are delicious.”
Vanessa grinned. “I make this recipe all the time. There’s plenty for tomorrow, so if you’re desperate for another one, help yourself.”
Paris waved her phone in the air. “Before anyone heads into the kitchen, I want to take a photo of us.”
“Should I move the ladder?” David asked.
“No, leave it there. I’ll use it as a prop for my phone.” Paris positioned everyone in front of the balloon arch and set the timer on her camera. “Remember to smile.”
Andrea moved closer to Charlie so Paris could be in the photo.
“We’re nearly there. Smile!”
