“What?”
“You always told me I was your best friend. I knew it was something that you said because you loved me, but you said you were going to make five new friends and marched right into school without looking back.”
“Sounds like me.” I let out a watery laugh.
“I knew then that you were destined for great things. And it made me cry the entire way to practice that day. You have such a big heart, Angela, and I wanted to protect you for as long as I could because the world is a scary place. But it turns out, you don’t need it. You found someone who will protect it with everything he has.”
I stare down at my feet, sinking through the sand as the water continues rolling over them.
“When Troy reached out to us to try and make things right, I knew he was the man for you.”
“Really?” I can’t imagine how nervous Troy was for that conversation.
Dad nods. “I let my past get in the way of your future and for that, I’m sorry.”
“My future?” That has my gaze snapping up to meet his. I’m the spitting image of him. I always have been. Right down to my personality.
“I misjudged Troy. He’s not his father.”
“You know his father isn’t what you think he is, right?”
He blows out a breath. “I know. I was wrong about that too.”
“What happened to not being part of the family?” My voice cracks. “Did you mean that?” I swipe at the stray tear that falls free.
“God no.” Dad pulls me in for a hug. “I reacted badly, Angela. You are my daughter and I will always love you, even if you hate me for that for the rest of your life. I will forever be sorry for what I said and will understand if you can’t forgive me.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” I whisper.
“You didn’t, sweetheart. I didn’t understand what a good man Troy was and how worthy he was to protect that big heart of yours.”
“Yeah?” I look up at my dad. Tears are running down his face.
“Yeah. It might take some time, but I’m getting there. Derek isn’t all that bad.”
“You’re going to try?”
“Yes. I promise I will keep my cool for as long as I can.”
“And when will that run out?” I laugh against him.
“When he proposes. Can I lose my cool then?”
The thought of marrying Troy has my heart stumbling in my chest. Even though I know I want to, it’s still a long way off. “Dad, we haven’t even graduated. Let’s not go there just yet.”
“At least I have some time to prepare.”
I squeeze him a little tighter. “I’m sorry too.”
“Sweetheart, you have nothing to be sorry about. I overreacted.”
“I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t love him.”
“I know, Angie. I know.”
“Are we good over here?” Pops comes over.
“We’re good.” I pull him into our hug. “Dad said he was wrong.”
