“No,” I choke out. “Of course not. I’d marry you a thousand times over. But are you sure I’m not too much of a mess for you?”
“You’re so fucking strong, baby. I don’t think you see that. And no matter what happens, I’m here for you. D’you understand? That’s what this is about. It’s not about sticking together when everything is going well. It’s about promising I’ll be by your side no matter what life throws at us.”
I’m really crying now. But I kiss him desperately, praying with every fiber of my being that I’ll be able to hold onto this amazing thing I have.
“I love you so fucking much, Dex,” I murmur when we break apart. “Promise you won’t ever leave me.”
Dex takes my hands and rests his forehead against mine. “I promise.”
Dex
We get service for a minute on our way down, so I make a couple phone calls, and when we reach Rowan’s bakery, the place is packed.
“What is this?” Korren asks, his hand stiffening in mine when he sees the crowd.
“It’s just a little engagement party. I hope it’s not too much.”
“You fucking told them before you proposed!”
But Korren doesn’t look too upset. Especially once Cami ducks outside and waves vigorously to us.
Korren really started coming out of his shell once the summer crew left, and we’ve got a good group of friends here now. We spend a lot of time with Cami and Ambrose, the only two firefighters who live year-round in Copper Creek, plus Rowan and Rowan’s birding cousin Corbin. There are a bunch of others there too, random people around town who we talk to here and there and who Cami has obviously taken it upon herself to invite.
And there’s my dad.
“Shit,” I say under my breath.
“What is it?”
“Someone’s fucking invited my dad.”
“If you want to talk to him, I’ll be right here,” Korren says.
I grip his hand tighter. “Thank you.”
As much as I’d like to pretend I didn’t see my dad, I won’t be able to enjoy our engagement party until I know what the hell he’s doing here. If he’s come to ruin my moment, I’m never fucking forgiving him.
I march up to him, Korren at my side, trying not to make a scene but also close to losing my shit. Seeing him again is bringing back all the shame and anger at myself that I’ve beentrying not to dwell on this past year. I don’t fucking need this right now.
But my dad doesn’t look angry. He’s shifting from one foot to another, his hands in his pockets.
“Dex,” he says in a low voice when I approach.
“Dad.”
“I, uh—” He clears his throat. “I wanted to say I’m proud of you for—for turning things around. And—I’d like to offer you a job with me. I know you’ve got some other things lined up, so I’ll take your help whatever time of year works best for you.” He clears his throat again. “Also, uh—congratulations.”
“Thanks,” I mumble.
He’s not a big one for talking about feelings. But I can tell he’s forgiven me. Which means my mom is probably going to welcome me back again too, since she wasn’t fully on board with what my dad did—she suspected there was more to the story, even though I didn’t tell her.
My dad turns away to talk to a family friend who also somehow got invited, and as the intensity of his scrutiny fades, I feel a great pressure lift from my chest.
“He’s forgiven me,” I say, dazed.
Korren slides his arms around me and pulls me to him, giving me a deep kiss, which is something he never does in public. Holding hands is usually his limit.
“I’m so happy for you,” he murmurs. “I know how much you missed them.”
