Page 93 of Double Fault

Especially when I enter the designated tearoom in the hotel and Maddie’s whole face lights up.

“Daddy!”

Sabrina, whose back is to me, spins around, biting down on her own smile.

“Hey, sweetie.” I take the seat beside her, which puts me directly across from Sabrina. “Did I miss anything?”

My girl’s nanny narrows her eyes, giving me a questioning look.

“No,” Maddie answers. “We’ve only been here a few minutes.”

“Is it okay that I’m here?” The question is for my daughter, but I watch for Sabrina’s reaction out of the corner of my eye.

She doesn’t know it yet, but I also made a reservation at an exclusive new restaurant in London. For tonight. But only for two. Ebba will be here in an hour and plans to take her out for a new dress and shoes and anything else she wants.

“Yes,” Maddie answers readily, pure happiness radiating from her.

For a kid who’s been through some rough shit, she’s almost always happy. I don’t think I can take credit for it either. It’s a trait she inherited solely from her mother.

“You didn’t tell me you were coming,” Sabrina says softly, drawing my attention across the table. She has her hair pulled back in four braids that separate into two small buns at the base of her head. It’s cute.

“I wasn’t sure I could make it, and I didn’t want to disappoint anyone if I couldn’t get away.” I wink at her.

Her cheeks darken a fraction like she’s embarrassed. It doesn’t take a genius to deduce that it’s likely because my daughter dared her to ask me on a date.

When Sabrina told me it was Maddie’s idea, the knot of anxiety in my gut instantly loosened.

I wouldn’t addtea serviceto my bucket list, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere other than with these two beautiful girls.

I peruse the tea options and eventually settle on one that seems the least offensive. I’m not really a fan of tea. I much prefer my daily cup of coffee, but for Maddie, I can stomach just about anything.

When the attendant gets to us and Maddie orders on her own, my chest fills with pride. It’s a small thing, but after all she’s been through, her confidence is so damn impressive.

“These are so cute,” she squeals over the dainty sandwiches a few minutes later.

Sabrina can’t hide her smile. I can’t either. How could I when my daughter is so clearly enjoying herself? Maybe I should havescheduled something like this for her before. Or maybe not. She’s probably at the proper age to really appreciate it now.

“Look.” She holds up the cucumber sandwich. “It’s so little. And no crust!”

“It’s very cute,” I agree as I take one for myself.

Across from us, Sabrina spreads clotted cream on a scone. I shouldn’t be watching her so intensely, but I can’t help it. When she takes a bite and licks at a drop of cream stuck to her lip, I have to gnash my teeth to keep myself from leaping across the table and kissing her.

The sensation that comes over me when I’m near her is one I’ve never experienced before. And fuck if it doesn’t leave me feeling guilty at times. I loved my wife with every fiber of my being and part of me willalwayslove her. Nothing will dull the shine of our memories or diminish the life we built together. But Sabrina is… different. Different in a good way. In a way that doesn’t lessen what Annie means to me.

Though Annie lives in my heart, Sabrina is an all-consuming fire that I can’t help but be drawn to. Rather than burn me, she keeps me warm and awakens emotions that once were frozen.

I keep my gaze steady on her, and eventually, she looks up, as if she’s just as drawn to me. The shyness is still there, and fuck, do I like it. It serves as a reminder that she’s just as confused about all this as I am.

It’s terrifying, feeling things like this again. Losing Annie devastated me. I don’t want to ever feel like that again.

And yet no matter what I do, I can’t douse the flames that ignite inside me when I look at her. I can’t cut the tether that keeps me in her orbit.

“Look.” Maddie elbows me lightly, pulling my attention back to her. “I’m drinking tea like a princess.” She holds her pinky out proudly as she tips the cup back.

“That you are.” I pick up my cup and do the same. “Do I look like a princess too?”

Her responding giggle reverberates through the room. It’s soul-affirming and life-giving. I can’t help but grin at the sound. It ranks in my top ten favorite things of all time.

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