Page 54 of Full Throttle

Instantly, he relaxed his grip. “Sorry.”

I smiled at him. “It’s okay. I understand.”

He stroked my cheek with the back of his hand. “I know you do.” He frowned, glaring at the door. “I wish you could come to this meeting.”

“I know,” I soothed. “But I can’t. Though, I’ll be waiting for you when it’s done.”

Halton walked through the door, his head up, shoulders back. He looked ready to fight. He stopped in front of us, shook Dom’s hand, and bent, kissing my cheek. “How are you?” he asked.

“I’m fine.”

“The arm giving you trouble?”

“I get an air cast tomorrow.”

“Good news. I understand congratulations are in order as well.”

I smiled, feeling the color creep under my skin.

Halton chuckled. “You crazy kids. I love it. A house. Engaged. Moving ahead. Perfect. It bodes well for this meeting.”

“How?” Dom asked, his voice tight.

“You’re settled. Getting married. Buying property. I have glowing character references from your employers, current and past. Excellent credit history. Personal references. All of this shows a stable, eager father. Judges, especially this judge, love that.”

“But Cherry can’t come in with me?”

“No. Roxanne can’t bring in anyone but counsel either. Why don’t you take Cherry to the coffee shop and get her settled, and I’ll meet you up on three, okay?”

Dom huffed, and I met Halton’s eyes. They were filled with understanding and determination. He lifted an eyebrow in encouragement.

“I’ll be fine. I have my Kindle, and I would love a coffee. I’ll be waiting.”

Halton nodded. “Great.”

Dom carried a tray, guiding me to the back of the crowded shop. A couple agreed to let me share their table, and he slid the tray down, helping me off with my coat. He dug out my Kindle and phone, fussing with the lid on the coffee and the package of cookies he’d insisted I needed.

I covered his hand. “I’m fine. Go upstairs and fight for your son. I’ll be right here.”

His shoulders dropped. “What if⁠—”

I shook my head. “Then we’ll deal with it. But Halton has this. I know it.”

He lowered his head and kissed me. “I love you, Cherry. Thank you for being here.”

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

With a huff of air, he stood and headed to the door. I watched him walk away, still in awe of how he looked in a suit. The dark navy looked great on him, and although nowhere near the caliber of the suit Halton wore, it looked good, fitting Dom’s broad shoulders and tapered waist well. He wore a white dress shirt and a patterned tie. He’d even pulled out a pair of dress shoes, and he looked every inch a respectable man.

A very sexy one, at that.

I couldn’t begin to fathom how much my life had changed in such a short time. Only weeks ago, I was missing Hannah terribly, disliking my job and the apartment I lived in. I was always alone, unless she was visiting or I went to see her, which, given her roommate status before Chase, wasn’t often. I never felt welcome at her old place. That all changed when she moved in with Chase. He’d driven into Toronto before the fire to ask for my blessing to marry her, and I was thrilled to give him my enthusiastic agreement. Last night, he’d come over to Dom’s, telling me his plans on proposing on her birthday, and I eagerly offered to help. I loved him and the way he treated my daughter.

And I was going to marry Dom. Live in a house I’d fallen in love with and build new memories. No longer alone, no longer missing my daughter. Everything I loved, everyone I loved, would be close. My life had finally changed, and I could put away the sorrow I always felt and live in the present, no longer wishing for the past.

And Chase had brought a surprise with him. My mother’s quilt. He and Dom had been allowed to enter the apartment briefly. Not much remained, but they got the blanket, my small jewelry box, and took the photos that hadn’t been destroyed. Chase told me that Brett’s girlfriend, Kelly, who was a photographer, was going to help restore the pictures when they came home from their trip. I’d lost my clothing and some items, but the quilt and the photos were worth so much more to me. The quilt had been treated and washed several times and was fine. I had been more than delighted.

“Excuse me.”