Page 85 of A Forever Love

“Um…wh-who?” I stammer, still reeling from Carter’s earlier words echoing in my ears.

“Brandon? The friend you were with, who this guy apparently came to rescue you from,” he adds, shifting his gaze from me to Carter.

“You promised me you’d give up the prying attitude,” Birdie says, effortlessly settling onto Uncle Connor’s lap, and the lines around his lips soften with a smile.

“I said I’d try to be more patient, not a word more. Plus, I’m in the security biz, songbird. To pry is my right,” he replies, his fingers gently caressing her cheeks while Birdie loops her hands around his neck.

Beside me, Carter clears his throat. “That’s our cue to leave, mittens.” His touch on my lower back is featherlight, a stark contrast to before, as he gently steers me toward the exit. But before we can make our escape, Uncle Connor interrupts us once more.

“I need a word with you, Carter. Don’t leave without talking to me.” There’s suspicion and anger in his tone as he glances between me and Carter.

Oh, stop it. You are just imagining things.

Carter’s nod is stiffer than steel, but he meets Uncle Connor’s gaze without flinching, and finally we walk away.

“Do you think he knows?” I whisper, exhaling a breath of relief as we leave the garden’s cobbled path for the sidewalk.

Carter’s expression remains tense, but he brushes his hand against mine. “I don’t want you to worry about anything, especially not today.”

“I’m scared for you. I’ve never seen Uncle Connor upset or angry, but I’m guessing there’s a reason why everyone tiptoes around him.”

Carter finally chuckles. “Have some faith in me, mittens. People are afraid of me too.”

“It’s not a competition!” I exclaim, throwing my arms up in frustration at his nonchalance.

He holds my face, turning me toward him right in front of my dad’s house. This man has ZERO self-preservation!

“I just confessed I’m jealous of the very air you breathe, and you talk about my uncle with such an awe-filled voice. Everything turns into a competition when you’re in the picture, mittens.”

If I had my fitness tracker on, it might recommend a visit to a cardiologist, given how fiercely my heart is pounding right now. Before I can fully digest Carter’s words, Adrianna and Sage swing the door open.

“We were looking for you, Mere. It’s time to cut the cake.”

For the next hour, every worry dissolves as I’m enveloped in love. The corner table overflows with gifts and envelopes of book money. Background music serenades us—Minnie’s and Birdie’s recent concert hits. There’s a never-ending supply of food and drinks, but above all, my home is brimming with laughter and love on a day that used to be the most depressing for my father and me.

When I catch Dad’s eye, he gazes at me with the same wonderment that I feel inside, as if silently asking, “Is this a dream?”

He tilts his head toward the backyard, and I follow him outside. We both release a deep breath at the same time and then share a chuckle. He drapes his arm around my shoulder, guiding me to the porch swing.

“It’s hard to believe this is our life,” I say, grinning at him.

“Ditto, kiddo. I think I needed a break from all that”—he nods toward the door we just came through—“to truly believe this is real.” His eyes crinkle with warmth.

“I love seeing you smile, Dad.”

“And I love seeing you smiling and happy, Merry Belle.”

From his leather jacket, he retrieves a small box and opens it. Inside is a heart-shaped picture of the five of us—Dad, Clem, me, and the twins. It’s from one of our movie nights, captured a few weeks back as we lounged on the couch by the fireplace. I remember Dad taking the picture right before he turned off the lights. He nods toward the locket Carter gave me.

“I want you to replace our old picture with this one. So if you ever feel weak, remember we’re all here for you.” His hand brushes against the semicolon lily tattoo on my wrist.

“Dad,” I say, my voice trembling. “Please don’t worry about me, at least not about this anymore.” My eyes well up, but I refuse to cry on this special day. “I’m at the happiest point in my life, I promise.” I bury my face against his chest.

“You don’t know how much I love hearing that, sweetheart. Every moment you’re not around, I worry and feel guilty for not doing enough for you.” He holds me tighter.

“Forget everything that happened in the past, Dad. Please. If that was the price for the life we have now, I’d still say it was worth it.”

He gently pulls me back, locking eyes with my tear-filled, glassy ones. “Don’t be so perfect, kiddo. Otherwise, I’ll never be able to find a guy who’s the perfect match for you.”

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