Page 98 of Almost Always

“Fuck no. You’re way out of my league, sweetheart. And I don’t even care.”

She laughed as Cal cleared his throat. He didn’t take his eyes off her as he handed his son his wallet. Her hair was loose and thick, pulled back on one side and as he moved closer to her, he saw the shimmering makeup.

“You are breathtaking, Daisy. I am in awe of your beauty every single day, but tonight? I don’t think I’m going to survive.”

With a shake of her head, she set her hands on his chest and smiled. “You’ll be fine. Keep your eyes on me at all times.”

“That’s not going to be a problem. Taking my eyes off you will be difficult.”

With a laugh, she took his phone and handed it to Cal. “Honey, could you take a picture of your dad and me, please?”

Rafferty slid one arm around her waist, pulling her closer as her arms circled his neck. Her smile was glorious and he heard the click of the camera, but like he said, he couldn’t look away. Setting one hand on her ass, he smirked when her eyes flared with heat.

“I love you,” he said softly.I can’t wait to marry you.

“I also want pictures!” Cal shouted and they laughed before she extracted herself from his arms. “And with Daddy too.”

“How about we take a picture of all three of us?” She looked over at him, mischief in her eyes as she said, “Come on, Daddy, we need pictures.”

He chuckled and tugged his jacket on before helping Cal into his. He had accepted that she would call himDaddyevery chance she got, but that didn’t mean he could handle it everytime. She fiddled with the phone and set it on the counter, and returned to where he was standing with his son. He watched her the whole time, mesmerized by the way she moved, the flow of her dress and the sparkle of her skin. Like the stars they used to stare at together, she radiated beauty.

“Breathe, Raff,” she reminded him as she slid into his side, one arm coming around his waist. He exhaled loudly and looked at her as the shutter sound echoed, and he knew that picture captured his look of complete awe. Squeezing him gently, she smiled and said, “I love you too.”

“I love you three!” Cal added and broke the spell Rafferty was under.

Huffing out a laugh, he rubbed his face and released her so she could help his son set up the phone for more pictures. Watching them together, he was certain that asking his father for Nonna’s ring was the right move, because this was exactly the kind of life he envisioned for himself. Daisy Heroux included.

They were four hours into the evening and Cal was bored, slumped in his chair at their table. He’d grabbed handfuls of appetizers as they made the rounds and even drank two tall glasses of Coke. When they got there, his son had come along as they did the rounds, meeting all his fellow firefighters and Captain Parish. They got to check out the rest of the auction items and play a few games set up at one end. After a point, his son had enough. Daisy had let Cal download a game onto her phone while she joined him to meet more firefighters and families. He could tell that it was all too much for her too, but the fact that she stayed by his side was a big deal.

When they returned to the table, he checked on his son who had sunk even lower into his chair. Daisy asked him to show her how to play and the two of them sat with their heads bent while giggling quietly. Rafferty didn’t think his heart could swell any more or feel so much, but it was the little things that she did that made him love her even more.

He was checking the names of the other people at their table when she kissed his cheek. “I’m going to get Cal some dinner. Looks like he might pass out any minute.”

He nodded, glancing at his son briefly before turning to her. “Would you like something to drink?”

“I wouldn’t say no to wine.”

He nodded and smiled as she took Cal’s hand and headed towards the buffet. Even though it was a pretty fancy event, the department had opted not to make people pay per plate. The last time he’d attended one of these things in New York, it had been so expensive and not worth it. He would have shelled out money for that evening, though. Just to see his two favorite people connect that way.

“When do I get to meet the woman that has you looking like that?” Gladys said as she came up beside him at the bar.

He smiled at the older woman and kissed her cheek. “I didn’t know you were going to be here tonight.”

“Decided at the last minute to show up. So, who is she?”

Glancing at Daisy, he said, “My first love.”

“I think she might be your son’s first love too.”

“That’s a good sign, right?”

Gladys patted his arm. “That’s the only sign that matters. Kids are perceptive and if he loves her that much, you’re on the right track.”

“I was afraid that he might not, but I’m pretty sure he thinks she’s cooler than me.”

Gladys laughed, shaking her head. “That’s the power of a good woman. Now, hand me my drink.”

Chuckling, he gave the older woman her glass of red wine before she walked off to join a group of firefighters. He grabbed his beer and the wine as Daisy returned from the buffet with a loaded plate of food. His son looked wide awake now and Rafferty shook his head at the expression on his face.

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