“I do. And I don’t use those words lightly. They mean something to me,” I said.
“Hashtag ‘love you, mean it.’” She smiled.
Her words hit me right in the chest. Words I never thought I’d hear her say. Words she’d insisted she didn’t believe in. And here she was, putting herself out there.
For me.
With me.
“We’re officially a hashtag, Firefly,” I said, wrapping my arms around her tighter.
“Wait. Why was Logan there, and why were you bringing me flowers? And why were there two bouquets?”
“You’re a very observant woman.” He chuckled. “Caroline reached out to me. She was upset about her visit to Blushing, so she told her fiancé about it when she returned home. He agreed that it wasn’t fair to Harper to have her showing up once a year. She also doesn’t want to risk me coming after her for any back child support, which I’d never do, but her fiancé is apparently concerned about it.”
“Of course they are.” Violet rolled her eyes. “The nerve of these people.”
“Anyway, her parents got involved because they don’t want to be responsible for college tuition for a child they don’t know.” I shook my head. “As if I’d ever let my girl go to them for anything. Not fucking happening. I don’t care how much money they have.”
“Agreed. I’d walk around naked and sell everything I own before I’d let her go to them for anything,” she said.
“I could get on board with that.” I nipped at her earlobe.
“So what did she say. What’s the solution?”
“She wants to relinquish her parental rights. It’s got to be done legally and aboveboard, but seeing as all parties agree, there’s no issue. I called Logan, who then talked to Caroline and her family attorney. She stopped by my office to fill me in. Caroline’s father has a judge friend, and he’s going to oversee this next week. We’ll get it all finalized shortly after, and they’ll send over the paperwork.”
Violet wrapped her hands around my neck. “That’s amazing. I’m so sorry I ruined the moment.”
“Nah. I’d already gone to grab the flowers for you and Harps, when Logan called and said that she was on her way over to talk to me, so Ihurried back to the hotel. But this might be the best day of my life.” I shrugged as I tucked her hair behind her ear.
“Yeah. You got sole custody of Harps. It doesn’t get any better.” Her smile spread across her face, which made my chest hurt.
“I got sole custody of my baby girl, and you told me you loved me. I’d call today a win.”
“And you told me you love me.”
“I did.”
“Wait till you meet the in-laws this weekend. You might regret those words,” she said with a chuckle.
“I don’t scare easily. I stick. So get fucking used to it already.”
She smiled. “Okay.”
There was a knock on the open door, which I hadn’t closed behind me. “I’m so sorry to interrupt,” Blakely said. “But DJ Daddy O called because it’s time for your Zoom, and he’s going to happy hour in a little while, so he needs to start your meeting as soon as possible.”
Violet groaned. “Shit. I forgot about him. I need to get on a Zoom.”
I pushed to my feet and set her down on the chair. “I’ll see you after work.”
She stood and lunged at me, kissing me hard. “I love you, Charles.”
Damn. I liked the sound of that.
“I love you too.”
“Oh my gosh. All the swoons,” Blakely said as she stood in the doorway watching us.
