“You heard me.” I took Rory from Harper’s arms and handed her to Ava, who had been frozen by the kitchen doorway. “Ava, can you take her upstairs?”
My sister nodded quickly, holding Rory close as she disappeared toward the stairs.
When I turned back to face my father, every ounce ofrage I’d been holding back crystallized into a cold, unshakable resolve.
“This is my house,” I said, my voice deadly quiet. “My daughter. My girlfriend. And if you can’t respect the people I love, then you need to leave.”
Dad’s face went white, then red. “You’re choosingherover your family?”
“I’m choosing to make my own decisions instead of living by grudges that started before I was born.” I took a step toward him. “I’m choosing to be the kind of man I want my daughter to respect.”
“You’re making a mistake.”
“Maybe. But it’s my mistake to make.”
He shook his head like he was so disgusted with me he was at a loss for words.
“For two men who claim to despise each other, you and my father reacted almost the exact same way to finding out about us,” Harper said. “Maybe you’re not as different as you like to think. Maybe you should look at your life and ask yourself why holding on to that stupid feud is so important—especially if it could cost you your children.”
His voice was low and dangerous. “Don’t you dare compare me to that man.”
“Why not?” I pressed. “You both walked into your kid’s home uninvited. You both demanded they choose between love and family loyalty. You both used the exact same threats.” I paused, letting that sink in. “Maybe the feud has turned you into exactly what you claim to hate.”
For a moment, I was sure a flicker of doubt crossed his face—maybe even the first crack in his absolute certainty. But then his expression hardened again, the wall slamming back into place.
He opened his mouth like he was going to fire back—butinstead he turned, his boots echoing against the hardwood as he walked out without another word. It didn’t exactly feel like a victory, but I wasn’t going to back down.
This feud had gone on long enough. And I wasn’t going to choose a battle I’d never had any skin in over the woman I loved.
Harper grabbed my hand, twining her fingers with mine. “You okay?”
Was I?
“No,” I admitted honestly, dropping a kiss to the top of her head. “I love my family and I don’t like fighting with my parents, but…” I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her tight against me. Her brown eyes held worry that I wished I could kiss away.
“But?” she whispered.
Maybe my words would be enough.
“But I love you more.”
The words tasted equal parts terrifying and true, but holding her in my arms, I knew I’d never meant anything more.
FORTY-TWO
I sat on the edge of Drew’s bed, watching him put Rory down for the night. He’d been quiet since his father left. Moving through the motions of dinner, bath time, and bedtime stories.
I wondered if he had any idea what a great dad he was already. That little girl was clearly smitten with him, and the way he doted on her made me love him even more.
Which brought my thoughts right back to the moment I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about all night. But I hadn’t been able to bring it up to Drew because he was focused on his daughter, as he should be. After his declaration, Rory had started crying upstairs and he’d rushed up to help her. While I’d been left standing speechless, my heart hammering against my chest.
Now I couldn’t stop replaying that moment in my head.
But I love you more.
“Sweet dreams, little one,” Drew murmured, placing Rory in the small crib that sat on the wall opposite his bed.
She was out. Finally. It had taken longer than usual.Like she’d picked up on all the stress radiating through the house.
