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I took a breath. "She's smart. Ambitious. Funny. She's got a heart bigger than she lets people see, and she's probably the most determined person I've ever met." I smiled, thinking about her standing in my kitchen that morning, arguing with me over breakfast.

"She's also stubborn as hell."

"Language" she reprimanded me.

"Sorry, ma'am."

"And I'm well aware of my daughter's attributes, Damon. I don't need you listing them off like items on a grocery receipt."

Then why did you ask me why I was interested in her? I thought to myself, but did not voice that question aloud.

Instead, I said, "Fair enough."

"What I want to know is what you plan to do with all that admiration."

That one took a second. "Be there for her. Support her. Make her laugh when she's taking life too seriously. Remind her to eat."

"She forgets to eat?"

I’d noticed that she had that issue on her first visit to the ranch, it surprised me that her mom wasn’t aware of it.

"Like you said, she’s busy.” I tried to downplay her skipping meals.

Claudia sighed. "She's been doing that since she was twelve."

Twelve? What could a preteen be so busy with that she’d forgot to eat?

"So, your intentions with my daughter are…?”

“Good,” I replied.

"That’s what all men say." Her gaze sharpened. "Words are easy."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Promises are easy."

"Agreed."

She studied me. "You're very agreeable."

"Only when you're right."

That earned me the smallest hint of a smile. Then she went right back to business. For the next hour, she questioned me about my family, my childhood, my work, my friends, my drinking habits, and whether I believed in astrology.

I answered every question honestly. I was an open book.

Well, mostly open. There was one thing I couldn't tell her. That her daughter and I weren't actually together.

Not in the way Claudia thought.

And the longer we talked, the more uncomfortable that particular omission became. Because when Claudia asked if I cared about Mikayla, I didn't have to lie.

When she asked if I thought her daughter deserved someone who would put her first, I didn't have to lie.

And when she asked if I could see myself building a future with her?

The answer was easy.