I grin right back. “Damn straight. Listen, that woman raised me almost single-handedly. She’s the reason I’m the ballplayer I am, and the reason I’m the parent I am. She’s amazing.”
Willow’s arms pull me in tight again. “I love that. And I’d love to get to know her better.”
We kiss once more before reluctantly separating. “Drive safe, okay, Cherry? Text me later?”
“Deal.”
I open Willow’s door, watch her get in, and close it behind her. She drives off, and only then do I make my way over to my own vehicle. My entire drive home, I shift gears from ballplayer and boyfriend, to dad and son.
It’s easier than I thought it would be to go between the different parts of who I am. Which gives me hope that finding the balance I know I need won’t be so hard after all. And when I get home and open my front door to a whirlwind of four-year-old girl throwing herself at me, I know. Missing one phone call doesn’t matter as much as I think it does.
Being here and being the best dad I can also means being the best man I can.
And Willow makes me that man.
Chapter thirty-five
Willow
When Ronan opens the front door, his shirt is unbuttoned, his feet are bare, and his hair is sticking up in all kinds of wild directions. I smother my laugh, reaching up to smooth down one particularly wayward lock.
“You don’t look like you’re ready to schmooze your way through an endorsement dinner,” I remark as I walk inside.
“That’s because I’m not.” His voice sounds strained as he kisses my forehead. “Thanks for coming over. I’m sorry to do this to you. Mom woke up this morning not feeling great and her fever started an hour ago.” He grimaces as my fingers start to button up his shirt.
His hand covers mine, and when I look up, he’s staring down at me with so much love and affection it floors me.
“You’re saving my ass, Willow.”
The emotions are overwhelming me, so I opt for humour. “Well, I wouldn’t want the executives thinking their new star player was slacking on his promotional duties.”
His throaty chuckle sends tingles down my spine. “Good thing I’ve got at least one of the bigwigs on my side.” This time, his kiss lands softly on my lips. But we’re interrupted by an excited young voice.
“Willow’s here? Daddy, why didn’t you tell me?”
We pull apart quickly, but Ronan doesn’t look upset that Peyton caught us kissing. In fact, to my surprise, he wraps his arm around my shoulder after I give the little girl a quick hug.
“Okay, Rocket. You’re gonna be good for Willow, right? Go to bed on time, eat your dinner?”
Peyton nods. “Yup. And only one treat after supper.” She turns to me and says, “Daddy bought more caramel popcorn!”
I grin down at her excited face. “Excellent, we’ll have to choose a movie. And maybe make a blanket fort?”
Her audible gasp of delight warms my heart, even as Ronan pretends to groan. “Oh man, I’m missing a blanket fort? Dang it!”
Peyton takes my hand, dragging me away from Ronan. “C’mon, let’s go start finding blankets!”
I look back over my shoulder at Ronan, still with a partially-buttoned shirt, standing at the base of his staircase. That look is back on his face, the one that tells me he wants me to stay here in this happy home. To make it mine.
It’s tempting, there’s no denying that.
Peyton and I gather up armfuls of blankets and pillows from her bedroom and playroom, dumping them in the family room and then continuing to find more. She leads me to the upper floor, and into a room I have never set foot in. Ronan’s room.
“Daddy?” Peyton calls. “Can we take your blankets, too?”
He comes out of the en suite with an indulgent expression. “Not all of them, kiddo. I need somewhere to sleep.”
“You can sleep with me in the fort,” she replies matter-of-factly, and Ronan just shakes his head with a rueful grin.
