Christ, my kid was too smart. “Not quite like that. Taran and I broke up. I didn’t take it well.” How much detail was too much detail?
“And you started dating Mum?”
I hesitated because I didn’t want to lie to her face.
Heather’s nostrils flared. “Was Mum a fling?”
I grimaced. “When I got home from Glasgow, I was a wreck. And I got very, very drunk.”
“Oh my God, am I the consequence of a bad one-night stand?”
Shit.
Maybe therewassuch a thing as being too honest. “Heather, you’re the best thing that ever happened to me. I promise you that.” I leaned into her, holding her gaze. “I’d do everything the exact same way if it meant it led to you.”
Sensing my sincerity, her eyes brightened with fresh tears. She sucked in a shaky breath and released it. “But that means … did Taran find out?”
I nodded.
Heather winced. “Was it bad?”
I nodded again.
My daughter tilted her head in thought. “But Dad, she’s back. And she’s single. And I knew there was something seriously up between you because you could cut the tension with a knife.” She slapped my leg. “You have to win her back, Dad!”
“Heather.” I snatched her hand in mine and squeezed. “My point of telling you was to be honest with you but also to let you know what you can lose if you’re not honest with the people you love. Tell Hazel how you’re feeling.”
“Fine. I will call Hazel tomorrow, but you … you have to tell Taran you still have feelings for her.”
My heart jolted at the thought. “She’s not interested, flower.”
“Uh, trust me, I can tell she’s interested. Plus, Dad, like … she’s a total face card.”
“What on earth is a face card?”
She snort-laughed. “You’re so old. It just means she’s an absolute snack.”
“She’s attractive?”
“Uh, aye. Hot. She’s hot. If you don’t take a chance with her, a much smarter man than you will come along and waste no time snapping her up.”
Jesus. First Cammie. Then Ramsay. Now my own daughter was pushing me to pursue Taran.
“And Dad …” Heather’s lips curled at the corners, her eyes kind. “I get why you wanted to be this perfect human for me and Angus, but we don’t need you to be perfect. We need you to teach us that it’s okay to be imperfect.”
My throat constricted with emotion. “I think I did all right if I raised a kid as wise as you. But I hear you. I’ll do better.”
“I know you will. Good talk, Dad.” Heather leaned over and smacked her lips against my cheek, hitting my beard. “I feel loads better, and I love you tons, but I really am at a good bit in my book.”
Chuckling, I pushed up to my feet, but I pulled her into my arms again. “I love you more than anything, flower. More than anything.”
“I know, Dad,” she whispered. “I’m sorry for pushing you away. I won’t do it again.”
“Good.” I kissed her temple and released her. “Now don’t stay up too late reading.”
She grinned. “I won’t if you won’t.”
As I moved to pull the door closed, she called out, “Dad.”
