I laugh despite myself.
Because I love how tenacious she is, love how she’s smart and strong and wonderful.
But I would feel a hell of a lot better if I knew exactly how to navigate this conversation.
Except…why do I feel like Chloe’s always going to be throwing me curveballs?
Curveballs I might not get to experience if I leave on my?—
I shake my head, dislodge that thought, and focus. “Because being a grownup is complicated.”
“That sounds dumb.”
“It kind of is,” I admit.
She considers that for several heartbeats.
Then slides off the bench and shrugs. “Okay.”
“Okay?” I repeat, startled that she’s dropping this so easily.
Normally, she’s a dog to a bone when it comes to getting answers.
“Yup.” She starts toward the front door of the school. “Okay.”
I release a relieved breath and start to follow her.
She whips around. “Finn?”
“Yeah, honey?”
Her expression is suddenly serious—so incredibly serious that my lungs hitch again. But…it’s also fragile, something breakable creeping across her face, sinking into her frame.
As though, if I don’t answer her next question correctly, I’m going to shatter something in her.
Permanently.
“Do you loveme?”
Fuck, my heart can’t take this.
“Nowthat’snot complicated in the least, Chloe girl,” I crouch down and open my arms. “I love you so much.”
Loving her has never once felt scary or complex or risky.
Not foronesecond.
She launches herself into my arms and hugs me back fiercely as she says, “I love you too.”
My eyes burn, and I blink back tears.
Because no one warned me that love could feel like this—as though every cell in my body is threatening to burst with joy, with happiness. I would take a bullet for this kid, confront a bully, push her out of the way of an oncoming car.
All because she’s made a place for herself in my heart.
I kiss the side of her head and force myself to breathe through the swell of emotions.
Luckily, before I can turn into a complete pile of mush, she pulls away and grins. “I’m going to go to school now.”
