Page 98 of Starting Over with You
But then, those girls are out on the town.
God help us all.
As I stand with Matt and the sheriff around the smoker that Willie is showing off, Skyye wraps her arms around my waist, and I hug her close to me. I kiss her temple, and she beams up at me, reminding me how damn lucky I am. Not only do I get to be loved by this girl, but I have Kenni. I’m not saying she’s in love with me, but damn if I don’t feel like it some days. Or maybe that’s just me being hopeful. Fuck, I miss her.
I check my phone again, wondering why she didn’t text back when I asked if she wanted me to catch her eggs. I hadn’t really thought about having more kids until that moment. While it seemsa little bizarre to me at my age, I wouldn’t be opposed, but that’s just me doing whatever the hell Kenni wants.
Before I get all hot and bothered at the thought of filling my woman to the brim, I kiss Skyye’s forehead. “You good, baby girl?”
She nods happily. “Yeah, just missed you.”
I hug her close. “Missed you too.”
Willie says something, and then he and Matt are making their way toward the garage. I feel Skyye staring at me, and when I look down, I find I’m right. Something moves in her eyes, an unsure expression flitting across her beautiful face. I frown down at her. “What’s wrong?”
She nibbles on her bottom lip but holds my gaze. I don’t know what she’s thinking or what’s bothering her, but what she says next doesn’t catch me by surprise. “Are you and Kenni together?”
I sigh deeply. “Yeah.”
Her eyes widen, but then she’s beaming. “I knew it.”
I return her wide grin. “Is that okay?”
“Oh yeah,” she gushes, her eyes so bright. “You two are good together.”
“Real good,” I agree, my heart pounding in my chest. “I care a lot about her.”
She waggles her brows. “Everyone can tell.”
I feel my cheeks warm with color, and I chuckle lightly. I cuddle her closer, and then I’m lost in her eyes. “You know you’re my girl, and that Kenni coming into my life doesn’t change how much I love you.”
She raises her brows. “Dad, I’m almost sixteen. You don’t have to reassure me that I’m your world.”
And she is, but Kenni is my sun. The light I need to survive.
“Still,” I say, emotion heavy in my voice. “I don’t want you to ever think I’m replacing you.”
Her lips curve up sweetly. “Never, Dad.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
She leans into me. “She’s good for you.”
“I know,” I say with conviction. Because I’ve known that for as long as I can remember.
“Too bad you didn’t get her before Stratford did.”
My only regret in my life. I can’t tell her that, though. I don’t want her to feel like I wish she weren’t here. “Things happen for a reason,” I say instead, my heart still in my throat.
“True,” she agrees. “You need to call the boys. They want to know your intentions.”
I can’t help but laugh at that. Of course they do. “I will.”
She eyes me. “What are your intentions?”
I know my heart is in my eyes as I admit, “To love her until the day I die.”
Skyye’s eyes widen as the sweetest little grin moves over her lips. She leans up to kiss my cheek, and I hug her tightly to me. She clings to me, and my eyes drift shut as the future plays out behind my lids. All the holidays as a family of five. Going to the boys’ games. Vacations, coffee dates, and rolling around in the sheets with the girl of my dreams. Being there right beside Kenni when the boys get into the NHL, and her being by me when Skyye graduates. Kenni helping me move Skyye in to her dorm. Wiping my tears away when she finds the man she’ll marry. Everything and more, and I know Kenni will be right there with me.
