Page 56 of Late Nights & Love Lines
“You are not a random asshole. And our situation is nothing like your mother and stepfather.”
She stumbles back a step as though my words have physically pushed her. “You know nothing about my life,” she blurts.
I step forward, fueled by her utter lack of self-awareness. “But I do, Rowan.” Our bodies are nearly touching. “I know that whatever your mother did was enough to make you run from everything that could potentially hurt you ever since. I know that your life irrevocably changed the second your stepfather entered your life. I know that you’re, unfortunately, not my children’s mother, and if their mother ever gets her head out of her ass, she’ll be welcome to try and rebuild those relationships. I’ll never stop that from happening unless it’s causing them pain. And I also know that you will never intentionally hurt my children, and if you did, you’d make it right. That’s why our situation is different. You’re not your mother or my ex. You’re so much better than they could ever be.”
“That’s the thing, don’t you understand?” Her voice breaks, and it eats away the volatile feelings of a moment ago. “I’m the result of my mother’s indifference. I wouldn’t mean to hurt them, but it would happen anyway when I inevitably had to leave. It’s why I have an end date, Seb. To protect them, and to protect myself.”
Oh, my beautifully broken, stubborn-ass peach.
“There are no promises or requests for the future here, Peach. Only today and tomorrow, remember?”
“It’s going to hurt.”
“I know.” I take her hand and guide her closer to the beach.
“You know? Then why are you pushing this?”
Because I’m starting to believe in Pappy’s love lines and theories on destiny. Because my heart is telling me that if I can only show her what she means to us, she’ll come back. Because I have no doubt she’ll leave when her end date arrives—it’s all she knows. I can only hope we’ll have made enough of an impression that she’ll return to us.
Lifting her hand to my lips, I kiss her knuckles again. It’s as intimate as she’ll allow right now, but it’s never felt more right.
“I’m pushing because I can’t live with not knowing what it’s like to have you in my life, for however long you’ll allow. If this past year has taught me anything, it’s to live for today, and that’s what I’m doing.”
We reach the clearing between my house and Beck’s, and we both stop, awestruck.
When this town has a sand dance, they don’t mess around. Tent structures have been constructed with wispy flowing panels that sway in the ocean air and fairy lights are strung across anything and everything they could reach. Round tables and chairs are set up at various spots on either side of a dance floor, decorated in shades of navy and aqua and topped with flickering candles.
“Wow,” Rowan whispers. “This is?—”
“Magical.”
“Yeah.” She pulls her hand free from mine. “I mean, if you believe in magic and everything.”
“Row-Row, Row-Row,” Kade sings, spotting us first and running through the middle of the party.
“Is he calling you Row-Row?” I ask.
Her laughter washes away on the sea breeze—it’s a reminder of how fragile this beginning really is. “Yeah, he thinks my name sounds likeRow, Row, Row Your Boat. You know, Rowan, Rowan your boat?” When I stare are her, she shrugs. “It sounds funny, and it makes me laugh when he sings it.”
“It must be because you’re rowin’ right into his heart.”
Her jaw drops. “Oh my God,” she says, covering her mouth with both hands. “You did not just dad-joke me.”
I frown at her. “I mean, I am a dad.”
“Row-Row. Come dance. Come dance with me.” Kade drags her forward.
Was I seriously just cock-blocked by my six-year-old?
Rowan appears to read my thoughts. “Guess you need to up your game, old man. Little Kade here could teach you some things.”
I drop my head back and allow the laughter to overtake my entire body. “Challenge accepted, Peach,” I call out loud enough for her to hear me.
She stutter-steps but keeps her balance.
Game on, Rowan Ellis. Game fucking on.
Miles fellasleep in my arms an hour ago. I should carry him to bed as I did with Kade when he fell asleep in Pappy’s lap, but I can’t bring myself to move from this spot. This is the perfect vantage point.
