to hold back a smile. There’s hardly anyone at the bar tonight because it’s been raining all day. Honestly, I’d swim here if it meant getting to see Rowan. Kenzie’s no longer in town because she went back to college to finish her last year, but things typically slow down when school starts anyway. I’m actually happy she’s not around because it means I don’t have to be as careful. It’s obvious she knew something was going on, but Kenzie didn’t say a peep if she did for certain.
Rowan sets a beer down in front of me, then looks past me out the large front windows where the rain is pounding against the glass.
“It’s still raining?”
“Yep, not supposed to stop until the morning,” I tell her, taking a swig. I place my hand on top of hers and gently brush my thumb against the softness of her skin.
“I was thinking maybe we should tell everyone we’re together.” I’m being dead serious, and she knows it.
Rowan hesitates. “It’s a bad idea.”
“It’s the best idea,” I quickly say.
She nervously shifts on her feet because I’ve put her on the spot. “Diesel. I need more time. I’m sorry. I can’t just jump into bed with you again because you kissed me.”
“You mean, just because I took your breath away?” I smirk.
She rolls her eyes. “I can’t. Not right now. You need to get adjusted to everything that’s going on in your life. Learn to be a dad. Then if there’s still room in your heart for me, we can talk about it.”
I tilt my head, grab her hand, and press it against my chest. “My whole heart is yours, Rowan Bishop. It always has been and always will be. I want the whole fucking world to know you’re mine and only mine, regardless of everything else going on in my life.”
A blush hits her cheeks before she moves away from me. I am relentless and will always be when it comes to her. I stay the entire shift and help her clean up before we walk out. On the way out, I tell her about Chelsea and Dawson coming to visit, and she gives me a small smile. I want to kiss her goodbye, but I’m hesitant to cross that line again. I’d wait an eternity for her if that’s what she wanted.
That night, I go to sleep with a smile on my face, hoping she truly understands what she means to me.
The next morning, I get to work early. Riley calls me out on the way I’m acting, and he thinks it’s because I’m picking up Chelsea and Dawson from the airport this afternoon. Little does he know it’s because his sister makes me the happiest fucking man on the planet. But I am also very excited about showing off my son.
I asked Chelsea what kind of car seat I needed to buy because I’m seriously bad at this parenting thing. There are too many choices, and I had no clue where to start, but she happily guided me. Knowing they were coming, I tried to do as many of the repairs to the house as I could to childproof the place better. The spare room is ready for them with clean sheets and freshly painted walls. I’ve worked hard to get it all together, and I hope she appreciates it. I want her to trust me so she thinks I’m suitable enough to be Dawson’s dad. Even though I have proof he’s mine, I’d never fight her for custody, knowing what she’s done to support him on her own. I can only hope one day we’ll be able to co-parent properly and both have time with him.
On the way to the airport, my nerves get the best of me. Chelsea’s right; we’re practically strangers, so introducing her and Dawson to my parents will undoubtedly be awkward. Last night, I told them about how I met Chelsea and her getting pregnant. I gave them all the details, and at first, they were upset she didn’t tell me, but I explained why Chelsea felt that way. I do wish she would’ve told me as soon as she knew, but there’s no point in being mad about the past. What’s done is done, so all I can do is try to make up for the lost time.
When I arrive, I wait for ten minutes before I see her and my son. As soon as Dawson sees me, he smiles, which makes me do the