Page 88 of Baby for my Daddy's Best Friend

“It hurts us seeing you like this, Dad.” Valentino puts a comforting hand on my shoulder. “If not for yourself, you owe it to us to fix this mess.”

“I’ve only ever wanted to look out for all of you,” I argue back in a feeble voice. “I’ve put my kids first.”

“We aren’t children. You shouldn’t have to pick between one or the other,” Luciana says. “If you’ve been staying away from Quinn only for us, then you’re not doing yourself or us any favors.”

I search her eyes for any signs of pretense, but there is none.

“She’s right, Dad.” Alessio shrugs. “It’s not the end of the world if you like someone younger. We aren’t going to hold that against you.”

“Love,” Luciana corrects. “He’s in love with her. Isn’t that obvious by now?”

“I agree,” Valentino says. “When Quinn was here, I saw a side of Dad that I hadn’t in years. He was happier with her around. It was infectious.”

“You wouldn’t be wrong,” I admit with a sigh. “I do love her. But I’ve always thought that you guys would not accept that. That you’d think she is a replacement for your mother.”

“Replacement?” Luciana repeats. “We all know that no one can replace Mom. That’s just not possible. Being with someone new doesn’t mean you have to erase the person who came before them.”

I look at Luciana for a long moment.

I always forget how smart she is, and she surprises me each time.

“Think of it as a new chapter in your life,” she continues. “Your kids are grown now, and you need to live your life. It’s what mom would have wanted you to do.”

Valentino and Alessio nod.

I run a hand through my hair.

They’ve opened a pandora’s box of emotions I was trying so hard to suppress.

“I’ve been an idiot, haven’t I?”

“Not an idiot.” Luciana smiles, putting a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Human. There’s still time, Dad. You should get your girl.”

The gears start grinding in my brain. I don’t even know how I am going to approach this, but there’s no use running away from my feelings any longer.

My children’s approval was what I needed the most, and now that I have it, there should be nothing standing in the way of Quinn and me.

“You’ll need to help me out,” I admit, scraping my bottom lip with my teeth. “It’s been so long that I’m afraid I might have already blown my chances.”

“If what you had was real, it is never too late,” Luciana reminds me with a smile. “But don’t worry. We’re not throwing you to the wolves all by yourself. Lucky for you, we already have a plan.”

29

QUINN

There’snoway.

I refresh my inbox a few times, just to check if my eyes aren’t playing tricks on me. Yet, each time, the message keeps reappearing.

FROM:[email protected]

Subject: URGENT

Quinn,

Hope you’ve been doing well.

We need you back in Italy, STAT.

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