I’d done the work. I’d faced my demons. I’d proven—to Haizley, Jack and Sam, to Kat, to Frankie, to myself—that I wasn’t him. That I could be better.
That Iwasbetter.
Kat stepped further into the room, her eyes searching mine.
“Hi,” she said softly.
“Hi.” My voice came out rougher than I intended. I cleared my throat. “You look... fuck, Kat. You look beautiful.”
A faint blush colored her cheeks. “Thank you.”
Behind me, I heard Maggie whisper something to Rhoda, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t look away from Kat.
“You ready?” I asked.
She nodded, grabbing a small purse from the table by the door. “Let me just say goodbye to Frankie.”
As if on cue, Frankie appeared in the hallway, Cami right behind her. My daughter looked between me and Kat, and a slow smile spread across her face.
“You two look nice,” she said.
“Thanks, sweetheart,” Kat said, leaning down to kiss Frankie’s forehead. “You be good for Maggie, okay?”
“I’m always good.”
“Uh-huh.” Kat straightened, then looked at Maggie. “Thank you for watching her.”
“It’s no problem,” Maggie said. “The girls are going to have a great time.”
Frankie walked over to me, and I crouched down so we were eye level.
“Have fun, Dad,” she said quietly.
My chest tightened. She’d started calling me that a week ago, and it still hit me like a freight train every single time.
“I will,” I said. “You have fun too.”
“Oh, I will.” She grinned, then leaned in close and whispered, “Don’t forget protection.”
I choked.
“Frankie,” Kat said sharply.
“What?” Frankie stepped back, all innocence. “I’m just saying. Safe sex is important. They taught us that in health class.”
“You’re homeschooled,” Kat said.
“Yeah, andyoutaught me that.”
Maggie was laughing now, not even trying to hide it. Rhoda had her hand over her mouth. Nox was grinning from the hallway.
Kat looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her whole.
I stood, biting back a smile. “We’ll keep that in mind.”
“Derek,” Kat hissed.
“What? She’s right. Safe sexisimportant.”
