Page 24 of Worth the Fall

Me

Same. Can’t wait.

CHAPTER 5

Mia

My phone buzzes early Sunday morning, Miguel's name lighting up my screen. My heart does that ridiculous flutter thing as I answer.

"Please tell me you're not calling about contract reviews on a Sunday," I tease through a yawn, still curled up in my bed.

His warm laugh settles in my lower belly. "Actually, I have a very important consultant who needs to meet you. She's quite particular about playground equipment assessment and apparently my princess voices aren't up to standard."

"Playground consultant?"

"Felicity," he clarifies, and I hear the smile in his voice. "She may have overheard me talking to Uncle Hector about the pretty lawyer lady who got hit with a pickleball, and now she's insisting on meeting you. No pressure, though. I know meeting kids is a big step."

"Miguel," I cut him off softly, "I'd love to meet her."

"Yeah?" The relief in his voice makes my chest tight. "Fair warning, though. She has very high standards for princess voice acting and swing-pushing velocity."

"Good thing I've been practicing my royal proclamations and brushing up on my Disney movies." I sit up, tossing back thecovers. This is probably one of the first times I’ve sprung out of bed with excitement, even through the fall chill that’s settled over Chicago.

An hour later, I'm standing in front of my closet, having what can only be described as a fashion crisis. What exactly does one wear to meet the daughter of… what is Miguel to me?

Oh God, am I in a situationship?

I push the thought away, finally settling on casual jeans and a soft purple sweater that Becca swears brings out my eyes. Not that I'm trying to impress anyone. Much.

When I get to the park, I spot them immediately. Miguel, looking unfairly handsome in a navy Henley, and beside him a tiny dark-haired figure practically vibrating with energy. He waves at me, that smile melting away the anxiety that’s been simmering.

"Hi!" I wave back, making my way over to where they’re standing.

"Are you Miss Mia?" Felicity demands the moment I approach them. "Daddy says you know about unicorns! And that you're pretty even when balls hit your face!"

"Felicity," Miguel groans, but I'm already laughing.

"That's me," I confirm, crouching down so I’m eye level with her. "Though your daddy didn't tell me how pretty you are. I love your sparkly shoes!"

Her entire face lights up. "They light up when I jump! Wanna see?"

And just like that, I'm being pulled toward the playground by a very enthusiastic five-year-old while Miguel follows, wearing that soft smile that never fails to make my stomach flip.

"Watch this!" Felicity jumps enthusiastically, her shoes flashing with each bounce. "The unicorns helped pick them out. They're very good at fashion decisions."

"The unicorns have excellent taste," I agree, catching Miguel's eye over her head. He's watching us with an expression that makes my heart do complicated things. Things it hasn’t done in years.

I shift from one foot to the other, two steaming cups of hot chocolate warming my hands, but not enough to calm the nervous energy buzzing through me. Felicity’s shrieks of laughter echo through the park as Miguel pushes her on the swing, her curls bouncing with every arc.

“Higher, Daddy!” she cries, her little legs kicking excitedly.

Miguel grins, catching the swing and giving her another push. “Hold on tight, princess!”

I smile at the scene in front of me, but my chest feels tight. This is their world—a father and his daughter—and I’m just an outsider stepping into it.

“Is this okay?” I ask for what has to be the third time, my voice barely above a whisper. “Me being here? I don’t want to step on any toes.”

Miguel glances at me, his expression soft and steady. “You’re fine,” he says, his voice calm and reassuring. “She’s having fun. That’s what matters.”

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