“And why is that? Do you think you have to be in love first?”
“It has nothing to do with love.”
“Good. Do you have any doubt that your mother and I love each other?”
Gabe’s jaw dropped. “Of course not. How could I? You show it in a million little ways all the time. Are you saying youdon’tlove her?”
“Don’t be an idiot. Of course I love her. Desperately. More than anything on earth, including myself. The point is, it wasn’t always that way.”
Gabe had to think about that for a minute. “When did you know you loved her?”
“There wasn’t any kind of lightbulb moment. It was just a gradual knowing. And it got stronger over time.”
“And you think that’s how it will happen for me?”
His father laughed. “Hell no. I think it’s already happened. You just need to stick with it, nurture it, and let it grow. You could easily destroy it at this point and break that poor girl’s heart. I forbid you to do that.”
Gabe sighed and shook his head. “I don’t want to be an ass, but I don’t want to be a martyr either.”
“Good. Because you don’t have to be either one of those things. You can man up, get your head in the game, and allow yourself to enjoy the happy accident.”
“You make it sound easy, but there’s one little detail you’ve forgotten.”
“What’s that?”
“Misty doesn’t know what we are. And none of us knows what’s growing inside her. She could be pregnant with a phoenix.”
“You think I didn’t have that same situation with your mother? Where would we be if we hadn’t taken a chance? More importantly, where the hell wouldyoube?”
“I…I guess I wouldn’t be anywhere.”
“Exactly. Now answer one question for me. Do you like Misty?”
“Hell yeah. Of course I like her. She’s awesome.”
“Good. That’s more important than being head-over-heels crazy in love. That stuff fades. If you’re left with affection and friendship, you’re in good shape.”
“I feel more than affection for her.”
“Oh?”
Gabe struggled with what to say next. “I—I guess I love her, but…”
“But what?”
Gabe shrugged.
“Damn, you’re stubborn.”
