Page 119 of I'll Keep Her Safe

She lets out a long sigh, rubbing her forehead. “I know I’ve been kind of a dick.”

“You?” An incredulous laugh slips from me. “Are you kidding?”

“No.” Bailey’s expression is solemn. “You’ve reached out to me and I haven’t responded, and I’m sorry. When I spoke to Dad and saw how happy he was, I thought I could handle it, but… after spending a few days hanging out with him, I realized I was mad at you.”

I swallow nervously. “I guess that makes sense.”

Daisy sets our coffees in front of us. She says nothing, but sends me an encouraging smile, as if she can sense I need it.

“I was mad because… Ugh, it’s so stupid.” Bailey drags a hand down her face, a movement I’ve seen her father do a hundred times when frustrated. “As you know, my relationship with my dad has had its ups and downs, and you coming in and… getting together with him…” she pauses as her voice cracks. “It felt like you were taking him away from me. Like I might… lose him to you.”

“Oh, B.” I press a hand to my heart, my throat growing tight. “I’m so sorry. That was never my intention.”

Bailey blinks, not meeting my gaze. “I know. Of course it wasn’t, but it still hurt. It still felt like I might lose him, when I haven’t had him that long. He’s important to me, especially since Mom and I don’t get along.”

There’s a tug in my heart. I hesitate, then reach across the table to take her hand. “I promise you won’t lose him. You are too important to him, B. He’d never let that happen, even if I wanted it to. Which, obviously, I don’t.”

Her eyes meet mine, shining with unshed tears. “I know. It was so silly.”

“It’snotsilly,” I say firmly. “He… he told me what happened with your mom and him, why he wasn’t around when you were little, and it’s not silly at all to want to protect your relationship. I wouldn’t dream of getting in the way of that.”

She nods, blinking the emotion from her eyes. “Thank you. You’re both so important to me, and I worried how this might change things.”

I chew on my lip. She’s right, this is going to change our dynamic. I hadn’t thought of that.

“But you need to know”—Bailey squeezes my hand tightly—“Iamokay with it. I just needed some time to come around.” She wrinkles her nose, giving me a funny smile. “I mean, it’s a little weird, my best friend and mydad, of all people. But… the more I think about it, the more it’s actually kind of sweet. That two people I love so much, love each other too.”

My eyes fill as Bailey finally says the words I’ve been longing to hear for months. “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.” My voice breaks as I gaze at my best friend’s face. “I’m sorry I went behind your back.”

She blows out a long breath. “It’s fine.”

“It’s not.” I shake my head, needing her to know. “I wanted to tell you, not only to be honest, but… I was so desperate to share howhappyI am. How excited, how wonderful it is. I’ve missed sharing that with my best friend.”

“I’ve missed that too. I could sense something different about you when I last visited, but I was too wrapped up in work to pay attention.”

I think about the last time she was here, how exhausted she seemed.

“Wyatt… Your dad…” I grimace. It’s going to take some getting used to talking to Bailey about her father now that he’s my boyfriend. “He said you were working a lot. Are you sure you’re not overdoing it?”

She chuckles, leaning back to finally pick up her coffee. “Probably. He said the same thing to me. I’m trying to cut back on my hours.” She studies me over her coffee. “How’s your work going, the catering business?”

I can’t stop the smile that tugs at my lips. “It’s great. Growing quickly. Your dad…”Dammit. I stop mid-sentence, feeling awkward, and Bailey gives me a wry smile.

“Call him Wyatt. We have to make this normal.”

“Will it ever feel normal?” I issue a grim laugh, and Bailey shrugs, but she’s smiling. “Well, Wyatt built me the kitchen of my dreams.”

“I know.” Her eyes sparkle as she gazes at me. “You’ll have to show me later.”

“Definitely.” I pick up my own coffee and take a sip of the lukewarm brew. “It’s amazing. My dream kitchen. I still can’t believe he did that. He’s so…”Whoops, stop. I bite my tongue, knowing she probably doesn’t want to hear me ramble on about my feelings for him.

Bailey sets her coffee down, regarding me intently. “You really love him, don’t you?”

“Honestly, B…” A dreamy sigh escapes me, despite myself. “I’ve never felt like this about anyone. I didn’t know it was possible to feel so… so cared for. So safe. So loved.”

Bailey nods. “He’s a good man. Even with all my mom’s lies, I’ve always known that. And while I’m sure this will never happen, I need to say it regardless: If you hurt him, I’ll never forgive you.”

I laugh, reaching for her hand again. “I’d never hurt him. He’s the most amazing man I’ve ever met, and I don’t say that lightly.”

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