Page 180 of Twisted Collide

Sherry bounces on her feet. “Sure did.”

“I’m confused.”

“Hellfire, we were the bet.” Dane turns to my father. “How long have you known?”

“From the beginning.”

My eyes go wide. Does he mean from the first night? Or the first day at work?

“How?”

“I saw the way Dane looked at you when you started working for the team. Yes, he was grumpy, but there was something else there, and for the first time since I’ve known him, I felt like he had a chance at happiness.”

“So you knew that all the way back then, and you made her work for me anyway?”

“Hell, yeah, I did. Dane, you’re like a son to me, and when I saw you happy, I decided—”

“To play Cupid?”

“I mean, I wouldn’t say it like that.”

“Matchmaker?”

“That sounds more accurate,” my father says.

“You’re not pissed?”

“Nope.” My father walks up beside Sherry and puts an arm around her.

“And what exactly was the bet?”

“How long it would take Dane to get his head out of his ass and come here and ask for my blessing.”

“I haven’t asked yet, so technically, you haven’t won yet, Sherry.”

My dad’s brow lifts. “Is that so?”

“It is, but you’re right. I am here to ask for your blessing to date your daughter. I love her, and I can’t go another day without the whole world knowing.”

“Afraid Hudson might hit on her again?”

“Damn straight, but in all seriousness, I want to be with your daughter.”

“You’ve always had my approval.”

I drop Dane’s hand and walk over to my father, hugging him. “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. I only want you to be happy.”

I look around. Who knew when I got here that not only would I get a father, another mom, and now the love of my life?

Not me, that’s for sure.

It’s crazy how life happens.

I walk back to Dane, and then my father and Sherry leave the room, giving us a moment alone.

“I love you, Hellfire.”

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