Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 46202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
And what if they don’t?
“Okay,” Max says quietly.
“It might be easier if you let me tell it all at once,” I say, my throat getting dry. “And then….”
And then you can hate me.
“We can talk about it.”
Max leans forward, staring firmly.
“Okay, tell me.”
Max leans back, gripping the edge of the table like he’s debating flipping it.
It doesn’t take knowing him for almost three decades to see the anger trying to work its way out of him, the pulsing vein in his neck, his narrowed eyes, and the tightness in his jaw.
“So you saw a photo,” he says. “And you didn’t know it was Danielle.”
“No,” I whisper.
“And you fell for her,” he goes on, still in that cold low voice.
“Yes.”
I think he will say something else, but then he abruptly stands and walks to the other side of the yard.
He returns to us, laughing grimly, his laughter getting louder as his gaze flits between his daughter and me.
“I swear, this must be a dream.”
Danielle sighs. “That’s what I thought too.”
“I think we mean it in different ways,” Max says.
I wince at his words, knowing he’s right.
Max wants to wake up and have none of this to be happening.
I told him everything.
I told him what Danielle and I said to each other about wanting a family, a future, and to be together forever.
As I spoke, it was difficult to read his face. He stared at me impassively, but now he’s all full of frenetic energy, pausing at the edge of the table, crossing then uncrossing his arms.
“I really don’t know what to say,” he shakes his head. “So you two want to be together forever, get married, and start a family together? Do I understand that right?”
“Yes,” Danielle and I say at the same time.
We look at each other instinctively. Danielle smiles for the briefest of moments but then visibly pushes it away. I do the same, but it’s too late.
Max saw it.
He’s staring hard at me when I turn back to him.
“I’ve never seen you like this,” he whispers as if he can’t believe it.
“I’ve never felt anything like this,” I tell him. “Or even close. This isn’t a fling, Max, or anything like that. I’m not sure how to describe it.”
“Destiny,” Lacey says softly.
Max spins to her. Lacey looks up at him, running a hand through her hair.
“What?” Max says.
“Sorry.”
“You don’t have to be,” he tells her. “I want to hear what you have to say.”
“Destiny?” Danielle probes, with clear hope in her voice.
The D-word has occurred to me, too, though I’ve never gone in for superstitious stuff. Even talking about it feels ridiculous, but I’m not one to shut down others for what they believe.
Sometimes, it’s better to listen.
“Maybe that’s not the right word,” Lacey goes on. “Maybe chemistry fits better. Or maybe you two just click. However you want to describe it…Max, look at them. It’s clear they care about each other. A lot. You said you’ve never seen Damien like this. What about Danielle?”
“No,” Max says quietly. “I haven’t. But I can’t…I need time to think about this. I can’t… it’s too much all at once. I need time, a day or two, to clear my head. And I want you two to stop seeing each other.”
He stares at Danielle, then me.
“You’re adults. You have every right to do anything you want. But I’m asking you, as your friend and as your father, please wait until we’ve spoken again before…before anything else.”
Danielle and I exchange a glance. I can read the uncertainty in the downward turn of her lips, in the skittishness of her eyes.
What if we can’t?
We have to I try to tell her, though the idea scares me just as much as it does her silently.
“Okay,” Danielle says after a pause.
“All right,” I say, nodding.
But don’t take too long, I want to add.
“I’m going for a drive. We’ll arrange something soon.”
With that, he stalks from the yard through the house. I hear the front door slam, and then his car screeches away.
Standing, I look down at Danielle, resisting the urge to reach down and touch her.
“I guess this is goodbye for now,” I say, conscious of Lacey sitting right there, watching us.
“Yeah,” Danielle says quietly. “I guess so.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Danielle
Three days pass with Dad working double shifts, barely having time to shower, eat, and sleep before he returns to the hospital.
I spend the time at work and, when I’m not at work, back in my bedroom, either talking with Anna or texting Damien.
“I’m glad you told him,” Anna says on Skype, as she types something and looks at her second screen. “And I’m so happy for you, really. This is everything you ever wanted.”
“Yeah,” I say dryly. “Except Dad’s taking every overtime shift he can get. It’s like he wants to pretend the situation doesn’t exist.”
“He needs time, Dee.”