Noelle rolled her eyes. “Swear jar.” We both knew there was no point in the swear jar.
I smiled. “Yeah. yeah. But you understand my point, right?”
She nodded slowly, and I only could hope with time she would believe me. I waited, giving her time to process, before she spoke again. “I’m finally making friends.”
I sighed in relief. “Yeah?”
“Yep. And the school year hasn’t even begun.” She let out a breath, a little laugh escaping. “I’m glad all the drama is over. People are over talking bad about Grace. I think Ms. Kenzie said something to their parents.”
Pride swelled in my chest. I had an amazing kid. “All that matters is you keep trying. No matter how many times you fall, you always get back up.”
Noelle smiled, a little shy, a little proud. “I love you, Dad.”
I pressed a kiss to the top of her head, letting the swing rock us gently. After eating her ice cream sundae, she got up to start rollerblading again. Noelle fell down a few times, still getting the hang of it. She looked over at me as she was crouched on the sidewalk. I nodded. She got up and tried again.
I heard the sound of gravel crunching as Grace’s car pulled in. The sun dipped low behind the trees, painting the sky indifferent streaks of gold. My girl jumped out of the car and beamed at me. She once told me high society called her the “Golden Girl.” Grace might have lost that title to the world, but she was still my golden girl.
“First time taking her out by myself.” Grace squealed as I kissed the top of her head.
“I’m proud of you, baby.”
Grace purchased her first car down at the local dealership. This was the first time she took the car, Eloise, out by herself. The name was chosen by my daughter and Grace. They were obsessed with all thingsEloiseand already started planning Noelle’s next birthday party with that theme.
“I thought about what you said,” Grace started, looking back to the door. Probably making sure little ears weren’t listening.
I studied her, searching for any hesitation, and when I found none, I brushed my fingers along her jaw. “You sure?”
She nodded, leaning into my touch. “I’m sure.”
Something in me eased, knowing I wasn’t wrong in my instincts to ask her. I had been throwing around the idea of moving in together basically since she admitted to lying about sleeping with Grant. I didn’t ask her until last night. We had gained more trust in each other and Noelle trusted us too.
I exhaled, picking up Noelle’s rollerblades. “I need you to understand something.” I looked Grace straight in the eyes. “We can’t do this if you’re going to run again. I don’t think you will, but I just have to say this. Noelle …” I shook my head. “She already had one mother who walked away. I won’t put her through that again.”
Guilt flashed in her eyes. “I know,” she whispered. “I won’t. I promise.”
I saw the honesty behind her words. I smirked suddenly, titling my head. “Do you realize it’s exactly one year since youthrew that martini on me? And if memory serves, you promised not to leave then, but you did anyway.”
She groaned, shaking her head. “It was an accident. And I was scared.”
“Was it, though?” I teased.
“Yes, I was on edge being in a new town all by myself.”
I pulled her closer, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “Well, either way, I’m glad you did. Best thing to happen to us.”
She melted against me, her warmth sinking into me. “Now, we have a little girl to ask.”
CHAPTER 44
Grace
“Areyou sure you’re okay with this?” I eyed Noelle skeptically.
Caleb and I had this talk over and over and I was terrified but ready. This was a big step. Sure, I slept over pretty much every night. I had also become an expert on sneaking out before Noelle woke up. There were a few times she caught me in the hallway, but I was only human.
“Yes. Please. Please.” Noelle squealed, bursting with joy.
Her reaction comforted me. Although she was young, I knew Noelle understood what she wanted and what she didn’t want. That was a testimony to Caleb’s parenting and giving Noelle the space to make mistakes and the confidence to voice her opinions.
