Page 60 of When We Are Complete

“What’s up?”

I clear my throat, a weird nervousness in my chest. “So, you know Kelly’s coming over for lunch today, right?”

“Mm-hmm,” she says, looking around the room.

I rub my palms against my jeans. “Well, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about before she gets here. It’s about Kelly and me.”

That gets her attention. Adele’s gaze meets mine with curiosity. “What about you and Kelly?”

I take a deep breath. “Kelly and I used to date, a long time ago, before your mom and I got together. We were high school sweethearts, actually.”

“Seriously?” Adele raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “I didn’t know that.”

“Yeah. It was before you were born. And, well, things didn’t work out back then.”

Adele sits up a little, sliding her phone onto the couch beside her. “So are you guys, like, dating again?”

“Yeah, we’re giving it another shot,” I say. “It’s early days, but Kelly is really special to me. And I want you to know that we’re taking things slow, but we’re both serious about seeing where this goes.”

Adele watches me carefully but doesn’t say anything.

I rest my elbows on my knees. “I also want you to know that no matter what happens, you’re always my number one priority. I love you, Adele. That’s never going to change. Whether Kelly is in my life or not.”

She blinks at me, processing my words, and then she shrugs. “Dad, I know. It’s cool.”

I stare at her for a moment, relieved. “You’re okay with it?”

“Yeah.” She picks her phone back up. “I mean, it’s about time you put yourself out there again, right? Mom’s happy with Bill, and you deserve to be happy too. Plus, Kelly’s really pretty.”

I laugh, relief flooding through me. “She is, huh?”

“Totally.” Adele shrugs.

“Thanks, sweetie.”

She waves a hand dismissively. “I’m not a little kid anymore. I want you to be happy. And if Kelly makes you happy, then I’m good with it.”

I lean back in the chair. “You’re pretty awesome, you know that?”

“Yeah.” Her eyes are already back on her phone.

By the time Kelly pulls up to the house, lunch is ready. The house seems different today—warmer, despite how cold it is outside, more alive—and I realize it’s because of her. When she steps inside, her smile is bright, and that energy she carries fills the entire room. I press a kiss to her lips, and the way she melts into me makes my pulse quicken. For a second, I forget that we’re not alone.

“Hey,” I say softly, pulling back just enough to look at her.

“Hey,” she replies, her eyes sparkling. “Smells amazing in here.”

“Don’t get too excited. It’s just sandwiches, soup and salad.”

Kelly laughs, and even that sound shifts something inside me. “I’m sure they’re gourmet,” she teases back, slipping off her coat. I take it from her and hang it up, letting my fingers brush hers.

We make our way to the kitchen, where Adele is already seated at the table, her phone in one hand, tapping away as though she’s writing the next great American novel.

“Hey, Adele,” I say, ruffling her hair as I walk past her to grab the sandwiches. She swats my hand away. “Phone away during meals. Say hi to Kelly.

“Dad, seriously. I’m too old for the hair ruffling.” She looks at Kelly. “Hey.”

“You’ll never be too old for it,” I say.

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