There were still countless things I didn’t know about her, but it didn’t change that I was falling in love.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Hartley.” My voice was stiff, and way too fucking formal. Meeting her father on his deathbed while everything was so intense had me off-balance.
Despite his medicated haze, Frank noticed my discomfort. “James. I need a minute with this one. Alone.”
Jamie looked panicked. “What? Why?”
I wanted to echo her questions, but this was my chance to prove myself. To show Jamie she could rely on me.
“It’s okay,” I told her. “Go spend time with Caleb. I’ll find you when we’re done.”
After shooting warning glares at both of us, Jamie left.
I hoped this wouldn’t backfire. My siblings might not keep quiet about our earlier conversation, and Frank might not like what I had to say.
“Sit down and listen up. I don’t have strength to yell across the room.” Frank Hartley might be dying, but he was still demanding. I could feel a lecture brewing, but I’d listen for Jamie’s sake.
I sat, bracing for his attack.
“You’re not really her boyfriend, are you?”
Not what I’d expected.
When I stayed silent, he closed his eyes on a heavy sigh. “Didn’t think so. Seemed too convenient.”
“If it makes any difference, this is my fourth day as her fake boyfriend, and it’s been the best four days of my life.”
Eyes still closed, he laughed.
Frank Hartley—the alcoholic father who’d driven his pregnant teenage daughter away—was laughing at me.
My jaw tightened. “She’s special.”
“Damn right she is.” His eyes flew open, and he stared me down. “She’s the best thing I ever did. Worthless as I am, at least I’m leaving something good behind.”
I stared back without flinching. “No offense, but do you really have the right to take credit for how amazing she is?”
His eyes flashed murder. Jamie said he wasn’t violent, but I could feel rage rolling off him. If illness hadn’t robbed his strength, he’d probably try to kill me.
“You’re brave.” He groaned, pain evident. “She needs someone brave. Someone like you. Don’t let her run from you.”
Frank was full of surprises. He and Jamie were both complicated, with striking similarities.
“That might be easier said than done. I’m at the worst point in my life and finding her has been the best damn thing. She’s given me reason to look toward the future. I don’t want to give that up, but she might not give me a choice. Your daughter’s stubborn.”
Silence stretched between us before I realized he’d fallen asleep again. My confession had fallen on deaf ears.
Maybe that was good. I needed to tell his daughter everything on my mind. Needed to honor our deal and stop fucking pretending.
But my timing was shit.
Her son was coming. With his father.
Jamie claimed she was done with Dylan, but with him reasserting himself, would she second-guess? Hunter’s wellbeing was her driving force. If she thought Dylan was best for Hunter, would she take him back?
I needed to know. Needed to take the chance.
But first, I had to meet her son. I had no shot if he didn’t approve.
