My eyes prickle with tears, but I can't help it. Call it hormones or empathy, I know he means what he says. Madi is a good kid, and she's had a hard time of it. This is Kace's way of acknowledging her struggle and cementing her spot in the family. He's not only giving her a home but also a taste of freedom. Two priceless things we all want.
"Now, open that bag from Linds, and let's get some photos."
I swipe at my wet eyes as the girl turns and takes the bag from me. She gives me a long, emotionally wrought look and, before she opens it, winds up impulsively hugging me as well. I squeeze her hard before letting her go. "Just be careful," I add needlessly. "And always wear this."
She digs out the paper and grins when she sees the helmet with rose-gold glitter stripes that perfectly matches her new ride. A squeal erupts from her, and we all laugh at her joy because it's just as rare as the hugs she's doled out.
"Thank you!"
"Get on!" Dani yells. "Let's go ride!"
"Hold up, short stack," Kace says to his daughter. "You aren't going anywhere. Madi isn't street legal yet, and even when she is, you aren't to go anywhere without permission. If you do, Mads loses her new ride in addition to you losing your bike again. Got it? Both of you?"
Madi nods quickly, but Dani pouts.
"Come on, birthday girl," Gabe says. "Tell me about this trip you're taking on the big ferry."
While Bronwyn and Gabe distract Dani and get her back into birthday mode, Kace and I make a fuss over Madi. We pose her on the Vespa, with and without her helmet, then on the Vespa holding the helmet and then wearing it.
I watch as Kace instructs her on how to start it up and then points out various features. He tells her to take it slow to get used to the brakes and, once she starts and stops a few times, says she can ride it down the driveway and back to practice.
My heart is in my throat due to the pure joy and pride on the girl's face as she carefully takes a spin. I video the big event and snap about twenty pictures of her.
She's a little wobbly on the turn but pulls out of the wobble to head back toward us with a smile so big her face barely contains it. "You did good, Uncle Kace," I murmur loud enough for Kace to hear.
I sense him look at me, but I remain focused on Madi. Because regardless of what happens between me and Kace, Dani and Madi come first.
"Can I go again?" Madi asks the moment she's near us.
Kace chuckles and nods. "Only in the driveway and yard. Nowhere else."
"Got it!"
She takes off again, and we stand there watching.
Kace nudges me with his elbow, and I brace myself before I look up at him.
"Thanks for her gift. I probably would've just grabbed a black one."
"Boring," I drawl, attempting to act casual when my brain is still cycling through questions and fallout of our kiss. Otherwise known as the mistake. "Madi tries to act tough, but she's a girly girl in some ways, especially when it comes to those colors."
"Well, thanks. She loves it. I hate that we can't get her licensed before the Bald Head Island trip. She would've loved riding that around the island."
I tuck my fingers into my back pockets, hesitating and yet knowing I need to make the right decision for myself. "About that. I was thinking maybe you should see if Gabe or Sully can take you."
The mistake, to me, equates to Kace wanting distance. And if that's what he wants, that's what he'll get. I just wish my heart had gotten the memo before it started to crack.
Chapter
Twenty
Kace
I screwed up. Big time.
As I stare into Lindsey's frosty green eyes, I silently kick myself for kissing her and ruining everything. Not because I didn't want it. But because I wanted it too much, and now every weak point in me is threatening to drag Lindsey and the girls into the fallout.
What was I thinking? We're friends. That's it. And I have weeks to go in this cast, then a boot, unable to drive.
