Page 159 of From Nowhere

“We didn’t pause anything. Being with our granddaughter will always be a gift. And as much as it saddens us to leave, we know that you need time to write your next chapter. And you know what they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Tia reaches for my face and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “You’re a good dad, Ozzy,” she whispers in my ear. “And a good man.”

Fuck. Not her. Tia is not allowed to make me cry. So I turn. “Let me give the house one more quick check to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.”

I should have done more to help my father deal with his drinking problem. Brynn should be alive. Sometimes, life feels like nothing more than a repetition of would’ves, could’ves, and should’ves.

Instead of dwelling on everything I cannot change, I focus on today. Tia and Amos are leaving us for Florida.

And as soon as they pull out of the driveway, Maren will be here to take me to reclaim my Land Rover from Diego.

The shock on Diego’s face is priceless when we pull into his driveway with Lola in the center back seat of Maren’s RAV. She’s still not relaxed like a limp noodle, but she’s improving. And music helps distract her. Today, we’re listening to Taylor Swift’s “Love Story,” which she’s been requesting a lot over the past few days. And every time I peek in the rearview mirror, she smirks and makes a laughable, although adorable, attempt at winking, especially during the “marry me” part of the lyrics.

She’s anything but subtle.

Diego saunters toward us from the garage, wiping his hands on a rag. He has a blue Dodge Challenger on his lift.

“Am I seeing what I think I’m seeing?” he asks as we step out of the vehicle.

With a shit-eating grin, I nod. “Diego, this is Maren.”

“It’s great to meet you finally.” He holds up his palms. “I’d shake your hand, but I’m a little greasy. I’ve heard so much about you.” Diego gives me a look, and I know what he’s specifically referencing because he’s a guy.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you too finally,” she says.

“Is Kai inside?” Lola asks without hesitation, skipping straight toward the house.

“She is. Go on in,” Diego says. “Cheyenne’s at the store. She’ll be so disappointed she missed you.”

I shrug. “We’ll be back. I’m just here to get my vehicle.”

Diego’s face nearly splits in half as he smiles. “I’m so fucking happy for you, man.” He shifts his gaze to Maren and clears his throat. “Sorry. I’m so very happy for you.”

She chuckles. “It’s fine. I’m really fucking happy for him too.”

Diego winks. “I like her, Oz. She’s a keeper.” He pivots.

I take Maren’s hand, and we follow him into the garage, where he nabs my keys from a hook inside a cabinet.

“I’m going to miss Debbie,” he says, handing me the keys.

“Debbie?” Maren narrows her eyes.

“Diego named my Land Rover Defender Debbie,” I say, leading her behind the garage toDebbie.

“This is your vehicle?” Maren asks with a shocked expression. “It’s ...”

I offer her multiple choices. “A classic? Beautiful? Magnificent?”

She mumbles with a nervous laugh and a tiny headshake, “Unexpected.”

“All the best things in life are.” I kiss her forehead, which makes her blush before I open the front passenger door for her. “Tell Lola I’m leaving without her if she doesn’t get her buns out here.”

Diego laughs, glancing at his watch. “It’s almost noon. I’m going to take a break for lunch. I’ll make Lola something too. Why don’t you take the afternoon for yourselves? It’s a gorgeous day for a Sunday drive.”

“She won’t even know I’m gone,” I say, shutting Maren’s door and making my way to the other side. “I owe you one. Hell, I probably owe you a million.”

Diego tucks his thumbs in the back pockets of his dirty jeans. “Oz?”

I start to open my door. “Yeah?”

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