I put my hand on her waist and leaned over, bringing my face closer to hers. “Kiss me one more time,” I whispered, brushing her hair away from her face. “Please.”
She gripped the collar of my jacket, pulling me to her until our lips touched in a quick kiss. “Bye, Alistair,” she whispered against my mouth.
“Bye, Pam.”
I opened the door, giving her a wistful smile, before I stepped outside and closed the door behind me.
My eyes teared up as I started my car and pulled out of the driveway. Normally, I wasn’t much of a crier, but this killed me.
This might have been goodbye, but this wasn’t the end.
* * *
Chai greetedme the second I walked through the front door. “Hey there, Mr. Romance. That was quite the date you were on.”
I hoped she didn’t grill me too much. I wasn’t in the mood. I really just wanted to go to bed.
I shrugged and took off Pam’s scarf and my coat, tucking the book under my arm. “It was fine.”
Chai gave me a sideways glance. “Just fine? You were out with Mrs. Rollins all freaking day, Dad. And I heard from Tegan that you kissed at the skating rink.”
My tail twitched in annoyance. Pam and I were right to keep the fact that we’d slept together between the two of us.
“We did. We were caught up in the moment. That’s all that happened.” I stalked off to the kitchen, hoping it was the end of Chai’s questioning, but she followed behind me.
“Dad…”
“What?” I huffed as I set the book on the table and poured myself a glass of whiskey. I needed a drink.
“Are you okay?” She seemed genuinely concerned.
I sat at the kitchen table and dug my palms into my eyes. “I really like her, Chai,” I whispered.
“Oh, Dad,” she said with a sigh and rubbed my back. “And I thought you’d be the one breaking hearts.”
I snorted and took a deep swig of my drink. “Nope. Very much heartbroken.”
Chai was quiet for a few minutes like she didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t blame her. Here she was counseling her father, who was heartbroken after one date.
An amazing date with an amazing woman.
She sat down next to me. “You know, you don’t have to leave.”
I swirled my glass and peered over at her. “My business is in Colorado, honey. I have to go back.”
“Maybe you do right now, but you’ve been working remotely for the past month, and it’s worked out. Plus, you’re going to have to retire at some point.” She put her head on my shoulder. “I’m just saying that if you think this is something you want to pursue, you should go for it. Life is too short to live with regret.”
I laughed and took another drink. “There you go with that advice again, kid.”
“I’m good at giving it, bad at taking it.” She stood up from the table and gripped my shoulder. “Just think about it, Dad. I love you.”
I placed my hand over hers and gave it a little squeeze. “I love you too, honey.”
NINE
PAM
Nothing can disrupt my peace.
