“No, sorry. But for a girl that doesn’t love facing deep emotions, it’s been a full-on day.”
She pouts and I bite back a smile. “It has. You got married. You’re not my baby anymore.”
“I haven’t been your baby for a long time, Dad.”
“No, but you’ve been a D’Angelo. Now you’re a Wilder, and I have to rely on Marc to continue the family name.”
A bout of real laughter escapes from Paige, and it eases my mind.
“Don’t worry. He’ll settle down. Mom said he was upset about that earlier. He hates that no one takes him seriously. Apparently, he wants what I have. And I’ve got to be honest, I feel bad that I’ve been neglecting him a little.”
“You’re not allowed to feel bad, Paige. Especially not today. Marc wouldn’t let you in if you tried. Though, that does explain why he was high.”
“He was high?”
“A little, yeah. At the rehearsal. And I’m the asshole that assumed he was rebelling again.”
“Jesus. Does that mean he’s spiraling?”
“I think so. Have you seen him? I better?—”
“I think he left. And you’re needed somewhere else anyway.”
“Right, what did you want help with? What do we leave here and what needs to go home with you? I can fit some stuff in…” I trail off when Paige laughs before staring at me pointedly. “What?”
“I don’t meanme.” She points toward the back room as Keeley steps out, her bloodshot eyes visible from here. “How long have you loved her?”
“Huh.” I choke, clearing my throat. “That’s not… I don’t… We?—”
“Come on, Dad. You’ve been playing down your happiness for weeks now. At first, I couldn’t figure out what it was until I noticed Keeley’s happiness on the rise too. Then tonight… I hate to say it but everyone saw it tonight.”
“Fuck.”
“Yep.”
“I don’t even know what we are, and it’s killing me, Paige.” The words are out of my mouth before I’ve thought it through, and I instantly regret it. I should not be talking to my daughter about my love life with her best friend…and sister-in-law.
Jesus Christ, this is one fucked-up situation.
“Talk to her, Dad. You’re a smart man. You know what you have to do.”
“Thanks, Kiddo.”
“Anytime.” She shifts to walk away, but I stop her, my expression pinched uncomfortably.
“On a scale of one to ten, how pissed is Easton right now?”
“You sure you want to know?”
“Reluctantly, yep.”
“About fifty.”
“Great.” I smile, my teeth bared as I grit them.Way to ruin her day, Sal.
“Don’t worry.” Paige squeezes my arm, her voice soft as she smiles sympathetically. “He’ll come around. He has to. You know, since you came around to the idea of him.”
For some reason that doesn’t ease my mind, but when Keeley smiles, drawing my attention, I no longer care.
