Page 88 of The Love Dare
“Most of the time.” Winnie rolls her eyes and looks back to her mom. “The dryer vent is under the bench outside. So yes, we could hear you. Yes, we listened to you talk about us all the time. And yes, it was probably a huge invasion of privacy, so I get it if you’re completely furious with us, but can you just fight that feeling for ten more minutes, because the conversation happening outside is sort of going to determine the rest of my life, and I really,really, REALLY need to hear it. Okay?”
Her mother pauses, torn clearly between loyalty to her husband, whom she loves and trusts and admires more than anyone else in the entire world, and her gossipy little heart. But Alex had to come from somewhere, so it’s no surprise to Winnie which side wins out.
She grins as her mother nods quietly and steps closer.
Those two deep voices rise again.
Tyler is in the middle of speaking. “—mean anything to me.”
“But there are still three other women on the show, correct? You are going to visit three other families. You are going to tell them all the same thing.”
“I don’t know what I’m going to tell them, Alexandru, but I can assure you it won’t be what I’m telling you right now. I love your daughter. I amin lovewith your daughter. I always have been. And there’s nothing I want more than to be with her, and only her, for the rest of my life.”
Yetta inhales sharply, clutching Winnie’s hand.
Winnie looks over with a giddy smile and nods eagerly.It’s true. Believe him. It’s real.
Happy tears form in her mother’s eyes. Winnie squeezes her fingers, relieved at her obvious approval, but also aware her father won’t be so easy to win over.
“These other women. You kiss these women?”
“Oh, shit.” Alex snickers. “Dad’s not playing.”
Winnie glares at him but bites her tongue, because, honestly, she really wants to hear this answer. It’s not something she’s brought up with Ty, because what’s the point? She came on the show knowing there would be other women. She chose this. It’s not his fault that she waited until they were under these ridiculous circumstances to finally tell him how she feels. So why confront him? But if her dad wants to do it for her, by all freaking means, go right ahead.
She holds her breath.
Ty’s response is firm. “I have not willingly kissed another soul on this show.”
“Willingly?”
“Some of the women have kissed me,” he admits slowly. “I shut it down immediately, but I don’t know what any of this is going to look like when it airs on TV. The producers areputting together a show, and I’ve tried when I can to help them do that without compromising my boundaries. So things might look different from what I’m telling you. But it’s creative camera angles and music and cuts and me holding someone a certain way and a thousand other tricks. I’m not lying to you when I tell you Winnie is the only woman in the world I want to be kissing, and I would never break her trust like that. I understand how important loyalty is in a relationship, and I’ve been loyal to her. I will be loyal to her, Alexandru. Always.”
Her father grunts. “I don’t like it.”
“I don’t either,” Tyler agrees. “If I had my way, I would’ve left with her the second she stepped out of the limo, contract be damned, but there were other factors at play. Not money. You know I don’t give a shit about money. But reputations and careers. They threatened to plant stories about us. Winnie and I agreed to stick it out together. But in two weeks, all of this will be in the rearview mirror and I won’t spare a single fucking second looking back.”
“You love her?” her father asks after a minute. “You’re sure?”
“With everything I have.”
“Why didn’t you tell her sooner?”
Winnie swallows. She asked him this question herself, so she knows what’s coming, but she still holds her breath, waiting for his answer.
“Honestly?” Tyler releases a heavy sigh. “Because I was afraid. You’re like a father to me. You gave me a home. You taught me hockey. You practically raised me. I was afraid to lose you. To lose Alex. To lose Yetta. To lose the little bit of Winnie that I had, even though it wasn’t enough. And by the time I stopped being afraid, she was gone. She was in New York chasing her dreams. I know what it’s like to be the cause of someone else’s regret, and I didn’t want to hold her back. I just— I buried it. I buried my feelings, because I didn’t see a way to make it work.”
“And now?”
“Now?” Tyler pauses. Winnie closes her eyes, imagining the resolution in his brilliant blue ones. “Now I would do anything, risk anything, give anything to be with her.”
“And if I told you I don’t approve?”
Winnie gasps. She grabs at her mom, who softly murmurs, “Oh, Alexandru, no.”
But it’s too late.
The damage is done.
