He grins. “You two have a minute alone yet?”
I shake my head with a sigh. “Plenty of time for it later.” I nod toward the kitchen, moving us both in the same direction. “Thanks for sticking around and kicking everyone out for me.” I hand him a beer from the fridge and we step out onto the porch.
He takes a sip. “Noticed Cole didn’t show.”
My heart sinks. It didn’t bother me at the beginning, since the whole thing was supposed to be staged for the town’s benefit anyway. For weakening the fight Glenda’s preparing.
But it bothers me now that I’m pretty damn sure our vows were real today. And some day, it’ll be even more real. Without prenups or people wondering if it’s real or not. With Cole in the front row with Ellie.
“He should have. For Ellie.” The fact that my little girl didn’t ask for him today tells me she’s smarter than I give her credit for.
It’s quiet for a moment as we look out into the darkness, toward the large oak tree that sits along the river bend.
“She’s the one.”
Dad chuckles. “Well, I hope so.”
“I mean .?.?. she’s it. I barely had a chance to tell her that today.”
He scoffs. “Tellin’ a woman you love her when you’re about to tie the knot is like sayin’ it during sex.”
“I didn’t .?.?. tell her I love her.”
He clears his throat. “OK, then whatdidyou say?”
“I wanted her to know that this was real for me. That it’s forever. That I’m choosing her over .?.?. a ghost.”
He chuckles. “What every woman wants to hear.”
“Dad.”
“What? In other words—you told her she’s not some consolation prize.”
I pause .?.?. then take a long sip of the cool liquid.
“So .?.?. no longer a thorn in your side .?.?.” he muses.
“I get it,” I snap. “I don’t exactly have a way with words.”
“They’re three fuckin’ words, Dal. Did you ever think you might’ve not said it because you’re not ready to?”
I turn to him, a challenging glare. “I’ll go tell her right now.”
He coughs a laugh. “LikeImatter in this equation.”
“OK, Romeo, when are you and Ginger movin’ in together?”
He waves me off, not bothering to act surprised. “We’re too old for that.”
“Why? You keep each other company, I know you spend the night.”
His expression dries. “She was your mother’s closest friend.”
I nod. “I know. I’m sorry.”
“We’re happy just as we are.” He stands. “Go tell that woman how you feel and ask her to stay.”
My phone rings.
