Page 154 of From Nowhere

“Yet another thing that her therapist needs to discuss with her,” I say.

“Move in with me.” Maren reaches for my hand and kisses the back of it.

“We talked about this.” I roll to my side and stroke her hair. “I think I need to wait until Lola’s making more progress before I let Tia and Amos abandon us. Because that’s what they’ll do: move to Florida.”

“Let them move. We’ve got this.”

I narrow my eyes.

Maren grins.

“We?”

“Give her room to spread her wings, Ozzy. She wants it. Why do you think she rode her bike here? Maybe living with youandher grandparents is too much. Too restrictive. Maybe she needs a change. A new home. A tree house. A cat. And a badass female.”

I love this woman. I justloveher so damn much.

“I’m out for the season. I don’t have to fly for Ted. By the time she returns to school, my bones will be healed. I can ride a bike. If I’m being honest, I’m not the best at baking cookies. Jamie made the cookies I brought to your work. But I love to kayak, hike, stargaze, and I’ve recently discovered I can crochet cat toys. And don’t forget, I’m good at braiding hair.”

“Dad? I’m hungry.”

We startle at Lola in the doorway. She’s sneaky in her own right. I should put a bell on her.

I sit up, and Lola smirks, clearly pleased to see me lying in bed with Maren. “Let’s head home for dinner.”

“I had fun with you today, Lola. Thanks for cleaning Bandit’s litter box and helping my mom with my laundry,” Maren says.

Lola bites her bottom lip to control her grin as she nods her reply.

“We have to talk about your rebellious adventure.” I start to guide Lola out of the bedroom.

“Let me hug Maren before we go.” Lola slides past to give Maren a gentle hug. “Did you tell him to go easy on me?” She attempts a whisper, but I hear every word.

Maren winks. “You’ll be fine.”

Lola turns and takes two steps before craning her neck to the side, eyes squinted. She pushes the door until it hits my foot. “Oh. My. Gosh.” She covers her mouth. “Did you write on her door?”

“It’s getting replaced,” I say. “Let’s go.”

“It’s not.” Maren smirks.

Lola’s gaze ping-pongs between us. “I can’t believe you wrote her a note on her door.”

“Go get your stuff together.” I grab her shoulders and give her a nudge.

Lola giggles, bouncing down the stairs.

“You’ve set the bar high for any man who tries to steal her heart. They’ll have a terrible time living up to her daddy.” Maren slowly sits up, adjusting her sling.

“For sure.” I roll my eyes. “If my daughter gets in a life-threatening accident, she needs a guy who will completely ghost her.”

Maren frowns while standing. “Stop. We’re done with that. I had a full thirty seconds of feeling let down when you hung up on me. Then my mom made me look at it from your point of view—her point of view. And that was it. I wasn’t angry or disappointed. Okay, that’s a lie. I’m human, but I’m not superhuman. But I’ve let it go, and you need to do the same. Okay?” She strolls to me, rests her forehead on my chest, and my arms instinctively go around her.

“Okay,” I whisper.

“Are you moving in with me?”

I kiss the crown of her head. “I have to go. I’ll check on you tomorrow. I love you.”

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