Page 112 of Press Play

“The audacity.” I shake my head, feigning disappointment.

“I told you. I’m saving my hair and weaving it into a voodoo doll,” Wren quips.

“Of yourself?” Danny asks with a chuckle. “You’re doing it wrong, honey.”

“No, because I plan on rubbing its stomach, and it’ll be like a 24-7 belly rub. It’ll cure me of all my woes.”

Her dad scrunches his lips and nods. “And that’s why you’re the smart one in the family.”

With a soft smile, Wren moves her gaze from me to her dad. The space between her brow wrinkles, meaning she’s thinking.

“Dad,” she starts.

As I look at her, my previous worries melt away. I was dense to believe this woman didn’t trust or love me.

“There’s something Theo and I need to tell you.”

“Is everything okay?” he asks, his voice monotone and shaky.

“Yes,” she laughs nervously, and her eyes meet mine again. “Theo and I. . .”

Placing myself by her side, I rest my hand on her lower back and smile at the man I’ve grown to admire.

“We’re together,” she finishes.

He flicks his gaze between his daughter and me, and when it finally sinks in, his eyes widen. “You’re dating?”

Wren’s breathing stutters, so I take over. “We are. Is that okay?”

“Is it okay?” he repeats, his lips tilting into a wide grin. “It’s amazing.”

“What?” Wren murmurs.

“Do you know how long I’ve hoped this might happen? Since the day you first introduced us, I had a feeling about you two. You sure took your time, though.”

“Why does everyone say something along those lines?” she says with a light laugh.

“Because we have eyes.” He teases her, and Wren presses her lips together.

Leaning in, I kiss the side of her head and murmur, “It was worth the wait.” And when I pull back, I mess with her hair to get a reaction.

With a pout, she says, “I’m not even going to fix it. My arms hurt too much.”

Daniel smiles at us. His shoulders drop as he looks at his daughter, and pride shines in his eyes. “I’m so happy you’re happy. It’s all I ever wanted for you.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Wren wraps her arms around Daniel, hugging him.

He holds his daughter close, kissing the top of her head as he whispers something.

I don’t hear what he says, but it makes Wren smile, and that’s all that matters.

Chapter Forty

Wren

These cramps are goingto be the death of me. My menstrual pains aren’t this bad. Leave it to celiac and all its glory to render me more useless than I already am. All I’ve done is sleep. The second Dad left, I crawled back into bed and didn’t wake until the following morning.

I should be working, but I took a personal day to catch up on running around. My body screams at me to rest, but I ignore it. There are groceries I need to pick up, but first, I have to stop by my apartment. I knew I should have packed more underwear, but no, I just had to listen to?—

---