“It pays to be stubborn, right?”
“You’re my person, Diamond. You can think about it. It’s a lot to spring—”
Diamond throws himself at me. His arms wrap around my neck so tightly I can barely breathe. Then his lips pepper kisses all over my face.
“Yes. Nothing to think about, Rhett. It’s yes. So much, yes.”
“Yeah? I wasn’t sure because of your dad. If you need to talk to him, I understand.”
“How are you so good?” He presses one more kiss to my lips before sitting on the stool at the island. “We should drink this coffee before it’s cold.” He takes a sip with a hum as I settle next to him. “I’ll talk to my dad, though. It’ll be weird not living with him, but…he has a life, too.”
“I meant it when I said I understand. You’re close, and he was there for you. If it’s too much for you, I’ll take you here whenever you can.” Clearing my throat, I stand to pull breakfast items from the fridge. “I never knew my dad, Diamond. I had a few pictures when I was a baby, but he bolted. You and your dad have something special. I don’t want to come between that.”
I mean that. Yes, I had my grandfather, but Diamond and his dad go beyond what me and my grandpa had.
“Would you stop being so perfect for a minute?” Diamond grabs the eggs and a bowl and starts cracking the eggs. The sun peeks over the horizon now, and the kitchen floods with warm morning light. “You won’t come between us. My answer is still yes, but I’ll talk to him.”
“Okay.”
He smiles over at me. “Okay.”
The next thirty minutes pass with us enjoying breakfast together. Then Tater tears in from exploring outside with muddy paws, and I chase after her before she spreads it everywhere while Diamond cleans up after breakfast.
When I drop him off at work, he leans over and kisses me. Once. Then two more times before I laugh and nudge him towards the door.
“Get to work, beautiful. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Yeah, you will. Better get me a fancy house key to make it official.”
With one more kiss, he finally exits my truck and enters The Thirsty Cow.
My cheeks hurt, and it’s only as I pull away that I realize it’s from all the smiling.
twenty-three
Diamond
“Hi, Dad!”
Kicking off my shoes, I stroll into the kitchen. A pot of stew simmers, and I take a seat at the kitchen island, waiting for my dad to appear.
When he finally does, he’s clearly surprised to see me.
“My son! I wasn’t expecting you.” He opens his arms, and I stand for the hug.
“I still live here,” I murmur into his shoulder before pulling away.
Dad quirks an eyebrow. “Do you?” He moves to the stove and stirs his stew. “Are you staying for dinner?”
“If you’ll have me, I’d love to.”
Dad reaches for bowls in the cupboard and shoots another glance my way. “Spill it. Although I already suspect what you’re about to tell me.”
He still keeps his cheerful tone, and that helps as I try to gather the right words.
“Are you okay here by yourself?”
Dad laughs softly as he sets two bowls of stew on the kitchen island. “Of course I am. I’m healthy, and I’m not an octogenarian with bad knees, Diamond.”
