Page 94 of Rhys: and the girl who was always his

I stare down at him, feeling something shift—like a string pulling taut. Like potential.

I have no idea what sort of dad I’ll be in the future.

But this? This I want.

I glance up and meet Hayden’s eyes.

“You’re better at that than I expected,” he says.

“Don’t sound so surprised.”

“You never even held a dog properly.”

“A dogpeedon me, man.” I shudder at the memory of our family pet.

“Still your fault,” he teases.

We laugh, and it’s easy. Easier than it’s been in a while. He’s still got the rough edges, but there’s something soft beneath them now. Something changing.

Millie slides her hand into his, and he doesn’t pull away.

They’ll be okay.

Eventually, people drift off. One by one, the night winds down.

Hayden and Millie disappear to the guest room. Ashley and Caitlin murmur goodnights, arms looped around each other as they vanish to go home. Ella and Arden follow not long after with matching sleepy smiles.

Yasmin and Chase linger—still arguing over Tim Tam flavours, which has Ally chiming in.

“Salted caramel is objectively superior,” Ally insists.

“Original is a classic for a reason,” I counter.

“You two should just get married and call it a draw,” Yasmin says, yawning as she stands.

Chase adds, “And I better be best man. Or at least in charge of the bucks party. You don’t want Arden planning that,” he jokes. He’s right. There’s no doubt we would end up in a foreign country with a random baby.

“That’s not how weddings work,” Ally mutters, pink flushing her cheeks.

“It is in this family,” Chase calls over his shoulder as he and Yasmin head to bed.

And then, we’re alone.

The house is dim. Quiet again. But not empty.

Ally looks around the living room, eyes scanning the empty mugs and discarded blankets. “It feels like the end of something.”

“Or the beginning of something else. Move into my room with me. You spend every night in there anyway,” I say nervously. I’ve been wanting to ask her for a while, but the time hadn’t been right. I was still scared she might run.

Our eyes lock. “You sure about that?”

I step closer and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Surer than I’ve ever been.”

She searches my face, something unspoken flickering in her eyes. Then, she nods. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

* * *

We carry her things into my room together. It doesn’t take long—she’s already here most nights.

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