To his surprise, Hope hugged him again. “I love you too, Daddy,” she said, squeezing him tight. “Will Sunny be there?”
Grant glanced back at the cabin, where Sunny was leaning against the doorframe in his pajamas and a blanket, sipping a glass of orange juice.
“I think so. Is that okay?” Grant asked, suddenly nervous. He wasn’t sure what he’d do if it wasn’t.
“He promised he’d do my nails for me next time,” Hope said. “So he owes me.”
Grant laughed at that. At least his two favorite people had something to bond over.
“I’ll remind him and make sure he’s available for manicure duties,” Grant said. “You like him, huh?”
Hope nodded. “He’s your boyfriend, right? You’re allowed to say. I’m old enough to understand.”
Grant smiled, his heart swelling in his chest. “I’d have to ask him about that, but yeah, I think so.”
“Good,” Hope said. “I like him.”
A wave of relief washed over Grant. He’d been naive to think that Hope wouldn’t see what was going on, even though he’d done his best not to be too obviously affectionate with Sunny this morning, to give himself more time to work out how to approach the subject.
Like always, Hope had surprised him in the best possible way.
“I like him, too,” Grant said. “And he likes you.”
“I know.” Hope grinned, peering around Grant to wave goodbye to Sunny.
That made all the difference in the world. All Grant wanted was for everyone in his life to get along and stick close to him. It looked like he was getting both of those wishes.
“I’ll see you soon,” Grant said, opening the car door for her. “You need any of these bags? Or do they all go in the back?”
Hope took a small tote bag with a heart on it from Grant’s hand. “Just this one. I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you too, sweetheart,” Grant said, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “Take care of your mom and Joon for me.”
“I will.” Hope grinned at him as he backed away, closing the door for her and then hefting the rest of her bags into the trunk. She’d been a little spoiled this Christmas, but she was a good kid. Grant would have given her the world if he’d had it to give.
He waved goodbye to Julia and Joon, stepping out of the way as they started the car, backing up to where Sunny was standing in his thick slippers and Grant’s dressing robe.
On reflection, that hadn’t been all that subtle.
“You okay?” Sunny asked as he waved at Hope, who was waving frantically from the back seat as the car pulled out of the drive.
“Hurts less to watch them go with you here,” Grant said. “And they’re coming over in two weekends. And Hope wants you there.”
Sunny’s whole face lit up with a smile. “I love her,” he said without a moment’s hesitation. “I never eventhoughtabout kids before, but I love her so much. You did good with her.”
“Not just me,” Grant said. “Takes a village to raise a child, and all.”
“I’d be honored to be part of that village,” Sunny said.
“She says you’re my boyfriend.” Grant smiled at the thought. He was too old for a boyfriend, but then again, maybe not. Maybe that was exactly what he needed.
For a while, at least.
He was already fantasizing over exactly how he was going to ask Sunny to marry him, once things settled down.
In the meantime, though, boyfriend was as good a title as any.
“I assume I am your boyfriend,” Sunny said.
