Page 23 of Single-Dad: The Mountain Man

“I will be if you want me to,” Willow replies.

They throw their arms around her in a hug while I watch on, smiling at the most precious people in my life and hopeful about what tomorrow brings.

I know it won’t be easy, but once Gage sees how in love we are and how much she has changed me in such a short time, he’ll understand, I tell myself.

The next day I pull up toThunderbrook’s Bistrowith Willow in the front passenger seat and the kids in the back. I cut the engine.

Will nervously bites her lip and looks over into the diner and gasps. I follow her gaze to see my friend by the window in a booth and my heart clenches.

“He’s here,” she whispers.

“You’re nervous. We don’t have to tell him today, if you don’t want to. We can leave it till tomorrow. Whatever you decide, I’ll be with you.”

“I want to tell him today,” she says.

I reach out and wrap her hand in mine. “You ready?”

As soon as we step into the diner he spots us, and flashes a smile. Willow rushes over to hug him while I stand back with the kids. Then I embrace him, slapping his back.

“Man, I’ve missed you guys,” he says.

“I can’t believe you got out early for good behavior,” I say. “You and good behavior don’t belong in the same sentence.”

“You got that right.” He chuckles.

“Charlotte, Dylan. This is your uncle, Gage.”

“Wow, you’ve both grown,” he says. “The last time I saw you I could fit you in my hand.”

“You’re Dad’s best friend,” Dylan says. “He says you are really strong.”

“I get my strength from knowing I have a best friend and wonderful sister having my back.”

“Thanks,” I say.

We take a seat, I step back and allow Willow and the kids to get into the booth before sitting. I rack my brain for ways to approach the topic. I could start with a joke, make it light-hearted, maybe adopt a serious tone to let him know that what I have with Willow is real, that I can’t imagine not waking up to her.

Come out with it.

“You’re together,” Gage says.

The kids are already arguing over something. and music and quiet chatter surround us, but his words cut through all of it.

The world continues. But my heart stops and I feel Willow’s hand reach out for mine, and instinctively, I cup it and stroke my thumb across her skin.

“Yes,” I say.

His expression hardens and it’s clear he doesn’t want to say anything else. We place our orders. He turns his attention to the kids, asking them all sorts of questions about school and their favorite toys. But he doesn’t touch the topic again.

When we finish lunch, he gets up and leaves and disappears for two weeks. The next time we meet we’re in my gym, in the ring, prepared to fight.

7

WILLOW

“He’ll come around,” Shane says, tucking me under his arm as we lay in bed.

The moonlight pours through the window and blankets our naked bodies in liquid silver. And even though Shane’s body is usually the perfect distraction, I can’t help worrying about my brother.

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