Rowan’s heart squeezed painfully. “Sweetheart, your dad did this. He worked hard for it.”
“Yeah, but you made him laugh again,” Kelsey said, simple and certain. “You made him try things. You make him ... happy.”
Rowan forced air into her lungs. “Kelsey—”
“I wish we could stay like this forever.” Her voice held longing that only a young girl could know from the soul. “I wish we could move here and stay. When I told Dad about what was going on, he said he’d fix it. He even said maybe you’d move back to New York with us!”
“Oh, Kels,” she breathed out, heart shattering. “I’m not sure what’s best for me and your dad, but even if you go home and I stay here, you’re part of my family now. I’m not going to forget you. I’ll be there for you, I swear. Do you understand?”
Her smile was wobbly but held. “Yeah, I know. Thanks, Rowan. This has been the best summer of my life.” And with those words lingering in the air, she spun around and headed back to the dessert table.
Rowan watched her go. She’d gone through so many changes this summer, but there was a strength evident that hadn’t been there when they first met. She hoped she’d been able to teach Kelsey enough to hold her space wherever she went.
Everett turned at that exact moment. He smiled, slow and tender, like she was the only person in the room. Her body hummed with longing.
He caught her gaze and drifted toward her. “Hey,” he murmured, slipping his fingers through hers. “We’ll be wrapping up soon, but I have to stay late to clean up some details.”
“Not the kitchen, I hope?”
His laugh was everything. “You’re funny at board blessingsandhotel openings.”
He pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. Those dark eyes burned with promise. “I’m going to get Kels home and settled, then head over to your place. Okay?”
He’d be gone in a week, maybe less if he needed to get Kelsey resettled in a new school. She loved him in a way that terrified her; the kind that almost pushed her to leave Hawaii and go anywhere he asked, as long as they could be together. But she knew her truth and it was time to tell him.
Her voice broke. “Okay. I’ll see you back home.”
He kissed her temple in a soft sweep that made her eyes burn. The lobby vibrated around them—light, shadow, music, laughter—and Rowan felt the moment stretch, bittersweet and golden, like the last breath before the sun falls into the sea.
He thought tonight was everything he’d worked for.
Rowan knew it was the night that would split them open.
Chapter Thirty-One
He’d done it.
His body still hummed from the afterglow of the gala—every handshake, every congratulations, every stolen glance toward Rowan across that shimmering lobby layering into something that felt dangerously close to pride. Real pride. Not the performative kind his father demanded, but something earned and seen and shared.
And now, best of all, he had a plan.
Kelsey was safe. He had a call set up with a different private school and had been clear about the previous bullying from her so-called friends. Everett wanted to personally call every parent in her class, but he also knew that could make it worse for his daughter. Moving schools might still not stop the online crap, but he’d do whatever he could to keep her safe.
And Rowan? He’d make sure she settled in. He’d help find her new friends, a new place, anything she wanted. Tonight, he’d drag her to bed, wring out endless orgasms, and ask her officially to be his partner and move with him. They’d be a true family.
He raced up her porch steps two at a time, loosened tie hanging around his neck, suit jacket slung over his arm. The cicadas droned in the distance. Soft yellow light spilled from her windows. The door was already open.
She stood there in bare feet and one of her soft tank tops, hair down and wild from the humidity. He’d been looking forward tostripping off that emerald dress, but this was how he loved her the most. Approachable and real.
He bent over and pressed a kiss to her lush lips. “Sorry I took so long. I had a few more things to wrap up after I got Kelsey settled. Hope you’re not too exhausted,” he murmured, reaching for her.
Her hands lay on his chest and she stepped back.
The small movement caught him off guard. His brow furrowed. “Sweetheart? Everything okay?”
She wrapped her arms around her middle—not defensive exactly, but bracing. “We need to talk.”
His heart thumped once, hard. He gave a shaky laugh. “I know this week has been a lot. Are you upset I mentioned the possibility of you moving with us to Kelsey? I’m sorry—I should’ve brought it up with you first, but I was excited. I want this to work. We’ll figure it out.”
