"I hope you don't mind that I'm sticking around. I didn't want her to feel alone. This seems like something her mother would have done."
My heart squeezed. "I think it was the right thing to do. Moms tend to stay to watch their daughters try on dresses."
He rocked back on his heels. "I could have sent my mother, but it wouldn't have been the same."
"You're right." I respected him even more for wanting to fill Sofia's mother's role.
He cleared his throat. "Frank said I haven't been as grumpy as usual."
I couldn't help but laugh at the way he'd said it, as if he didn't want to admit it. "And that's a good thing, I take it?"
He glanced at me. "He thinks it's because I'm hanging around you."
"We haven't seen each other that much?—"
"Apparently, it's enough to rub off on me."
Bianca held up a few dresses. "We're going to try these on and show off the strong contenders."
"Take your time," I called to them as they disappeared down the dressing room hallway. "We should sit down. This is going to take a while."
"I didn't realize you were planning to be here for the whole thing."
"Well, I wasn't sure you were coming, and then I want to see her excitement. I love the transformation."
He sat on the long couch in front of the mirrors. "You want kids of your own some day?"
"I do." I liked Sofia. I thought she was great. But was I ready for kids now? Maybe not babies, but I enjoyed spending time with kids Sofia's age.
He sighed. "They come with great responsibility, and I always feel like I'm screwing up."
I covered his hand with mine. "You're not."
He arched a brow. "How can you be so sure?"
"How many men would sit through their daughter's dress fitting?" I mused.
He shook his head. "We'll see how long I last."
Bianca came out with her hands clasped together, looking pleased with herself. "Are you ready to see your girl? She looks beautiful."
"I'm not ready for this," Maddox muttered, and I assumed he meant everything that came with Sofia growing older, her teen years, dating.
Sofia walked out in a yellow dress with blue trim.
"Very Belle-like. I love it," I said.
Sofia stepped onto the raised platform and swished her skirt this way and that to see herself in the three-way mirror. "It's okay."
"Not the one, I take it?" Bianca asked with amusement tingeing her voice. "No worries. I have gads of dresses to show you."
Next to me, Maddox settled back into the cushions. "We're going to be here for a while."
"Would you like some sparkling water?" I asked him.
"I'd love some."
I got us glasses of sparkling water and snacks while we watched Sofia parade onto the platform in one dress after another. The entire time, Maddox was patient, waiting to see how Sofia would react before he gave his opinion. He was careful to tell her it was her decision.
