Page 69 of Late to Love

I walk away to serve a customer, and my brother, persistent asswipe that he is, stays exactly where he is, waiting patiently. Fucking cops. Fuckingbrothers.Fucking brothers who are cops.

“You like her. No—youloveher,” Ox declares when I finally make my way back to him.

I stare.

He grins. “Knew it.”

Chapter25

Darcy

MY BODY ACHES. Both from the massive walk I took along the beach yesterday and the tournament the day before.

My heart aches, too.

I look down at yesterday’s text exchange with Anthony.

ANTHONY

Good morning, gorgeous

Just home from a long walk on the beach. It’s beautiful today.

ANTHONY

How are you?

I’m okay. Had a lot on my mind.

ANTHONY

Want to talk about it?

No but thank you. Talk tomorrow?

ANTHONY

Of course. Come over if you change your mind.

I hadn’t changed my mind. I spent all day yesterday thinking. And thinking a little more. I’ve made some hard decisions, but they’re exciting all the same.

Now that the job at Anthony’s is done, I’d normally head into the hardware shop, ready to tackle whatever it is that Dad left undone over the past day, or week, or even month. The man needs a keeper.

The thing is…I’m not going to be the one to do it.

With my iced coffee half-downed in preparation, I fling myself onto the couch, grab a doily for good luck, and dial.

“You still mad at me?” Dad asks when he answers.

“No,” I sigh softly. “Not that you don’t deserve it.”

His voice tight, Dad answers, “You’re right. I’m…I’m sorry, Darcy girl. But?—”

“No,” I interrupt him. “You can’t say ‘I’m sorrybut.’ That’s right up there with telling someone you’re sorry if you offended them. You’re either sorry or you’re not.”

He’s silent for a beat. “You sound just like your mother sometimes,” he says wistfully. “I mean that in a good way, too. She was just as strong as you. You’re smarter. Hell,” he chuckles, “you’re smarter than the both of us ever hoped to be.”

My heart squeezes at his words. She died when I was too young to remember her, but it’s always been clear that Dad loved her. “Thanks, Dad.”

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