up. That means being honest with her when I can, and hoping she understands that while I have no intention of keeping my secrets from her, I can’t spill the secrets entrusted to me from other people.
“Are you having a good time?” I ask.
“Yeah. Due to whatever is going on in there with Addison,” she motions toward the cottage, “Oz offered to let me stay the night at his house. Rebecca said she’s fine with it. Breanna said Addison’s hanging out in my room, and I don’t want to disturb her.”
“That would be a good idea.” I make a mental note to threaten Oz’s life before they leave to make him think twice about going too far with my daughter.
“Did you love Mom?” Emily asks, and that question was like being hit with an electric cattle prod.
“What?”
Emily’s dark eyes bore into mine, and there’s so much sincerity there that I’m screwed. “Did you love my mom?”
I nod before I have the ability to speak. “Yes.” Deeply and always.
“Are you still in love with her?”
I lower my head because that question physically hurt. Like a bullet through my chest. No point in lying because it’s written all over my face. “Yes.”
Emily goes to say something else, but I stop her because I don’t want to be sucker-punched in the jaw again. “It doesn’t matter. Your mom is happy with your dad.” He adopted Emily when I was in prison, and he deserves the privilege of being called her dad. He earned that and my respect by taking care of Emily when I couldn’t. “And that’s all I’ve ever wanted for you and your mom—for you two to be happy.”
“Are you happy?” she counters.
“Yes.” Without a doubt. “You’re in my life, Emily. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Her expression softens at this, and she leans in and places her head on my shoulder. My soul that’s forever troubled settles. There’s something I can’t explain that comes with the love a daughter gives a father. It makes all the parts of me that are sharp smooth.
“Can I ask you something else?” The uncertainty in her voice makes me want to drop the f-bomb over what’s to come, but because I’m determined to keep my relationship with Emily growing, I move my fingers in a “bring it” motion.
She lifts her head and nibbles on her bottom lip as if she’s thinking, and that’s not good for me. My daughter is smart, determined and resourceful. Somehow my happiness being on her radar feels a lot like walking the green mile of death row.
“Have you thought about dating?” she asks.
I have to work hard to keep from smiling. “I date.”
She rolls her eyes. “So I’ve heard, but I’m not talking about that type of dating. I’m talking about dating someone to maybe fall in love. I guess I’m asking if you allow yourself the possibility of liking someone.”
I pull on my earlobe because while I should be able to easily answer that question, I can’t. “So you know, dating and love don’t mean happy. You can live a happy and fulfilled life without being married or in a relationship.”
“I know,” she says. “But I’m asking if you’re not in a relationship because that’s what makes you happy or because you haven’t given yourself an opportunity to try.”
And I’ve hit my limit. “Can we stop talking about my love life?”
Emily laughs, and I can’t help the lift of my lips. She hops off the table, and I stand. I then kiss the top of her head and bring my daughter into a hug. She hugs me in return and when she pulls back, she says, “I saw you talking with Chevy’s mom.”
My smile falls. “What’s that have to do with anything?”
“Emily,” Oz calls from his bike. “You ready?”
“I’ll text you when I reach Oz’s,” Emily says.
No, I want to know. “What does that have to do with anything?” I call out as Emily walks away.
She glances over her shoulder at me then walks backwards so she can see me. “You were smiling when you talked to her.”
I shrug. “I smile at people.”
She snort-laughs. “No, you don’t.”
“I smile,” I push, and she only laughs again.
“Bye, Dad.” And she turns to head toward the man she loves—Oz.
I’m dumbfounded and mute for several reasons. One, she’s right—except with a chosen few, I don’t smile. Two, Emily called me Dad. While I wasn’t prepared to have a daughter up in my business, I wouldn’t trade a moment with her for the