Page 83 of Fourteen of a Kind

After he finished getting ready, I walked him downstairs and kissed him goodbye.

“Have a good day.” I smiled.

“You too. I could get used to this.” A handsome grin crossed his face.

“Me too.” Our lips met passionately before he left and went to work.

I took my coffee outside and sat on the patio. The air was already warm, and the sun was rising.

“I saw Graham leave,” my dad said, walking over and sitting beside me. “I assume things are okay since he was here all night?”

“Yeah, Dad.” I smiled. “We talked, and he told me everything. Charlotte is going to help him.”

“What happened to him?”

“When he was thirteen, he witnessed his father’s suicide by a gunshot to the head.”

“Jesus.” He ran his hand down his face.

“His aunt paid off a lot of people to say his father died of a heart attack because she didn’t want his name and reputation tarnished. She told Graham he was never to speak the truth of what really happened.”

“No wonder the guy has PTSD. God, I can’t even imagine.” He shook his head.

“We’re officially a couple.” I smiled. “I love him, Daddy.”

“I know you do, sweetheart.” He leaned over and kissed the side of my head. “We like him too.”

“He told me that you and Uncle Christian talked with him yesterday. Why were you at the hospital? It wasn’t one of your surgical days.”

“Your Uncle Christian called me after he saw the two of you on the rooftop. I pushed back a few of my patient’s appointments and went to the hospital.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“You’re my little girl, and family always comes first. I have to get to the medical center.” He stood up and kissed the top of my head.

As he walked away, I called out to him.

“Dad?”

“Yeah, sweetheart?” He turned around.

“I love you.”

A smile crossed his face. “I love you too.”

All of us girls stood in the suite of the Beverly Hills Hotel while Jenni ensured Riley’s dress was perfect.

“There. You look beautiful.” Jenni grinned.

“You did a great job, Mom.” Stella smiled.

“Thanks, sweetheart. I can’t wait to make your wedding dress.”

“I’m not even thinking about marriage for a long time.”

“Good girl.” She winked.

“You are gorgeous.” I smiled at Riley. “Are you nervous?”

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