Page 79 of Abyss

Dev’s an executive at his father’s multi-billion-dollar tech company, positioned to be taking over as CEO in the next year or so. He’s one of the most hardworking and astute people I know, and unlike many of the Silicon Valley assholes I’ve met over the course of my time in the Bay, he’s also a solid guy—humble and possibly one of the most generous people I’ve ever met.

I wouldn’t say he and I are as close as I am with Garrett, but Dev has always been someone I can rely on in a pinch, especially when it comes to getting objective business advice. We’ve always held each other in high regard and mutual admiration, which is why I make it a point to meet with him every couple of months to talk business and investments.

Incidentally, the last time we met up also happened to be the day I met Kavi, when I left my own restaurant drenched with iced water, trying to conceal both an enormous boner and a headache.

I eye Dev’s perfectly-combed hair, but decide to rib him back because that’s just how our friendship has been since we met at a business event years ago. “By the looks of your shaggy-ass mane, you might need to go see my hair stylist.”

He barks out a laugh. “I mean, if she can work the kind of magic to make your ugly mug look halfway camera-ready, then yeah, I might need to.”

“Fuck you,” I say without an ounce of malice before leaning around him, realizing he’s alone. “Where’s Natalia?”

It’s unlike Dev to come to an event like this without his long-time girlfriend. And though he’s always had tongues wagging around him—what with him being one of the richest and influential men on the planet—he’s been off the market for quite some time.

“Uh . . .” His shoulders sag, his lips flattening to a straight line on his face. “Natalia and I decided to part ways, unfortunately. This all happened recently, and I didn’t have a chance to catch you up. I felt terrible telling Madison about the last-minute cancellation, but . . .” He clears his throat. “Both Natalia and I thought it would be best if I just attended alone.”

I’m sure my widened eyes convey my surprise, but seeing my friend’s chagrin, I don’t press him for details. He’ll tell me more when, and if, he feels the need to. “I’m sorry to hearthat, man. Maddy and Brie will appreciate you being here, though.”

Before anything more can be said, both Dev and I turn at the clicking of heels on the tiled floor behind us to see Maddy rushing over in her wedding dress.

Dev congratulates her, placing a kiss on her cheek, before squeezing my shoulder and making his way toward the other guests outside. My eyes, however, are affixed on my daughter.

She looks . . .

I’m at a loss for words to describe the emotion bubbling inside my chest. I’ve looked forward to this day for so long—to watch my little girl walk down the aisle in her wedding dress and take a leap of faith with her future life partner—but in some ways it isn’t a day I was prepared for, either. I wasn’t prepared for this entanglement of pride and protectiveness. This feeling of knowing I raised her to be fierce and independent, but having this instinctual concern for her wellbeing and happiness, too.

Is this what those people meant when they told me it’s always a bittersweet moment for the bride’s father?

I blink through the sentiment, making my eyes glassy as I take in my daughter. She’s always been beautiful, whether she was in messy pigtails or muddy shorts and farm boots, but today she’s shining bright enough to make a sea of stars disappear into the background.

“Oh, come on, Dad.” Maddy grasps my hand, much like she used to as a little girl. Her eyes glisten, too, despite her attempt to seem unaffected. “You can’t become a sap on me now. I compare you to war generals and dictators. Don’t disappoint me, Pops.”

“You’re a little shit, you know that?” I lob back at her, my words getting caught somewhere in my throat. “But—” My own inhale of breath catches me off-guard. “You look beautiful, Maddy. Brie is a lucky girl, and let me say it once more—”

“I know, Dad.” Maddy loops her arm with mine, carrying her wildflower bouquet in the other hand. “You’ll find a way to lock her up behind a high-security prison for white-collar crimes if she ever breaks my heart.”

“Damn right, I will. Tell her not to forget it. I love her almost as much as you, but I’d burn the world for you.”

“I’ll be sure to remind her.” Maddy squeezes my elbow, giving me a watery but hopeful smile. “Dad, do you realize how much I want this for you, too?”

I side-eye her but don’t respond, silently letting her know this isn’t the conversation I want to have right now.

She squeezes the same spot on my elbow again. “I’m serious, Dad. I don’t want you to be alone.” At my mouth opening to defend myself, she continues, “And before you say you’re not alone and you have everything you need, including your precious horse-daughter, Kansas, I want you to really consider my words. I want someone beautiful and special to know how beautiful and special my dad is. How he has the most incredible heart in the world. I want you to find someone deserving of you.”

I swallow past the lump in my throat. And though I want to lighten the moment by ribbing her about being the sap she claims I am, I don’t, not wanting to overlook her sincerity.

Instead, I settle for something that takes the focus off me. “Today is about you. Don’t you dare think about your old pops right now.”

Maddy wipes the corner of her eye with the back of her hand. “I know it’s about me, but you’ve always made everything about me. You’ve done everything for me, Dad; given me the love of both . . .” She sniffles, trailing off, though we both know what she was going to say. “I just want to be on the other side one day, giving my dad away, too.”

I tap her hand on my elbow, not wanting to prolong this conversation. Thankfully, the music starts right then, andBrie’s nieces walk down the aisle, throwing flowers in each direction.

My gaze lands first on Brie, standing in front of a flowery wedding arbor, wearing a white, one-shoulder suit. Her face lights up as her eyes connect with her bride, her chest swelling with pride and affection.

As I walk my daughter down the aisle in what feels like a surreal moment in my life, my gaze once again searches for the woman it often searches for, especially as of late. I see her turned to the aisle, watching us before her golden-brown eyes collide with mine. Mine takes a detour down to her plump lips before they drag lower, to her exposed neck and shoulders, where miles of flawless tanned skin glows under the setting sun.

She’s wearing a strapless pink dress, and if I’ve ever thought she was the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, I’m changing my stance on that now.

She’s theonlywoman I’ve ever met.

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