Page 67 of Finally Found You

“Exactly,” I admit, meeting her gaze. “I don’t like that she made a unilateral decision, and I missed fifteen years of your life. But I want you to know, Kenzy, the fact that you weren’t conceived like any other child doesn’t change the way I feel about you. You’re mine, and I love you.”

As the words leave my mouth, I see a change in her eyes. There’s still confusion and hurt, but there’s also relief.

“Okay,” she whispers. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding, and then her next question strikes me like a blow. “So you never loved my mother?”

“I barely knew her,” I confess.

“Have you ever been in love?” Her eyes are wide, brimming with curiosity and a hint of sadness.

“Yes, a couple of times,” I admit.

“But you didn’t marry either one,” she observes, and my gut tells me to stop this conversation before something goes wrong.

“No, I didn’t. Sometimes love isn’t enough,” I say, a bitter truth that I’ve learned the hard way.

“You should date,” she suggests, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

“Maybe when you go to college?” I respond, not entirely serious. “Or… never. I’m not in a hurry. Listen to me: Dating is overrated.”

Her smile softens into something resembling pity, and she quickly changes the subject. “How did you meet Cami?”

I raise an eyebrow at her question. “What?”

“You said you met her before you knew about me. How did you meet her?” she clarifies.

“A bar,” I answer. The memory of that night comes rushing back to me, the warmth of her smile, the kindness in her eyes.

“How original,” Kenzy huffs, rolling her eyes.

“She was having a bad day. Her cousin had run away,” I say, my gaze settling on her. Kenzy flushes, looking down at her unicorn. “But the funny part is that even when she had a bad day, she was trying to console me.”

“Of course she was.” Kenzy smiles at the mention of Cami. “That’s who Cami is. She’ll do anything and everything for others, even when they’re strangers.”

I smile and rise from my seat, stretching my legs. “Well, it’s getting too late, and tomorrow we have some more work to do. Time to head to bed.”

“Do you love her?” she asks suddenly, her eyes wide and curious.

I feel the color drain from my face. “Excuse me?”

“Cami, do you love her?” she repeats, her gaze unwavering.

I wave a hand dismissively, hoping to deter her from the subject. “Bedtime, Kenzington.”

But she’s relentless, like a hound on a scent. “As I told you, I heard the conversation you had with your brothers. And Uncle Hux is right. Maybe you can talk to me, and my dark, moody, teenage heart will understand.” She smirks.

I sigh, running a hand through my hair as I sit next to her. “I tried, you know,” I say softly. “I tried really hard not to fall for her. It was impossible—futile. She’s smart, kind, and loves you like no one else. I couldn’t resist her.”

“Is that why you kissed her on the roof?” she asks, her eyes wide. “Because you love her?”

“Yep.” I nod, trying to decipher the motive behind her questions.

“Then come with me to Seattle,” she suggests, the earnestness in her gaze taking me aback. “You could date her first and see if things can get serious between you two. After all, I’m going to leave for college, and I don’t want your brothers to call you a pathetic shell because you’re missing her.”

“Kenzy.” My heart pounds in my chest. Her words echo in my head, a loud chorus of truth and possibilities.

“I want you to be happy too, Dad. I really do,” she whispers.

“She probably doesn’t feel the same,” I admit. Though, the thought of Cami not sharing my feelings makes me feel like I’m spiraling, a free fall into a void of uncertainty.

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