She puffs out a breath as if she dropped a heavy weight. “I know you’re not. So that’s why I’m trying not to get my hopes up.”
“Why not?”
The corner of her mouth tips up. “For one, I’m here for a year. I know you know that. But two, your daughter. I respect your position as a father far more than my … wants. And the last thing Naomi needs is to feel like she’s been replaced or cast aside. I know what that feels like, and I won’t let it happen to that little girl.”
“But I already told you that won’t be a problem. We won’t be around her, not like this.”
She doesn’t say anything, and I don’t know if that’s an answer in and of itself or if she doesn’t want to say what she’s actually thinking.
“Is it because I’m a dad?” I ask her, my voice cracking. “Is that what you’re scared of?”
She shakes her head and palms my cheek.
“Are we going too fast?” I ask her.
“I’m not sure,” she murmurs.
“Is it because you feel like there’s a timeline on us?”
Mae lifts a shoulder and drops her eyes. So I gather her face in my hands so all she’s forced to look at me. “I don’t know what the future holds. Yes, all of this is a little complicated, but I am begging you to give us a chance. I’m not guaranteeing anything or trying to sell you lies. But you can drop that wall with me. Whatever happens, you are safe with me.”
Mae blinks rapidly, and I hear the front door open.
“I need to go,” she rasps.
I drop my hands and walk her to her car, opening the door for her.
She gets in and starts to close it, but I catch the edge and lean in. “Please, just think about it. We can figure this out. I know we’re both holding back, but if you can decipher your feelings, then I think we can move forward.”
“What about your feelings?” she asks.
I smile and shake my head. “There is a little part of me that wants to hand you everything, but that’s not fair to Naomi or you. So I’ll say this: I already know how I feel, but I need you to catch up.”
She stares at me, and in the setting sun I know she sees more and understands what I’m not saying. There is a lot to tell her, but I’m not ready to reveal what I keep down deep. All I know is that I like her, and I selfishly want to see where this goes.
“Night Coop.”
I chuckle and kiss her cheek. “I like it when you call me that.”
She lifts a brow, and I close the door, watching her back out and drive away.
***
When we get home, Naomi gets in the shower and gets herself ready for bed. We’re practicing doing all of that on her own, and it doesn’t always work, but tonight she handled it all on her own.
Naomi climbs into bed and snuggles into my side as I open the nextMagic Treehousebook we’re on to. My mom got her the entire series, and we’ve been making our way through them.
“Uncle Coop?”
“Yes, sweetheart?” I set the bookmark to the side, my finger holding the page.
“I know you’re my uncle, but I call Grandma Dixie, Grandma, and I know she’s really your aunt. So can I call you Dad?” she asks me.
I stare into her beautiful green eyes and have to blink to keep myself from bursting into tears. I’d do anything for this child. It doesn’t matter if I’m not really her father. She is my blood, and in my heart I’ve wanted to be her father since Rebekah placed her in my arms and drove away.
I cough, trying to relieve the tension in my throat and pull her closer to my side. “Naomi, I would be honored to be called your father.”
“Is that a yes?” she asks me.
