Page 12 of Wild Hearts

"I'm on a date with my daughter. Do you mind?"

Dakota's eyes widened.

"Of course." He slid off the bench without another word to Dakota.

Dakota's cheeks were pink, and I don't think it was from the cold. "Dad, that was so embarrassing."

Her use of the wordDadmade my heart contract. "I'm your father. I'm supposed to embarrass you." That was something I'd heard my uncle say to his kids a few times. It was interesting for me to be in this role now.

"We were just talking."

"You're only thirteen." Wasn't she too young to be talking to boys?

Dakota's nose scrunched. "Mom didn't mind."

I sat down next to her and handed her the hot chocolate. "I don't know anything about raising a teenager, but I have to be honest with you; I don't like seeing you talk to a boy."

Dakota sighed. "I'm going to talk to kids at school."

She needed to make friends. Especially if I wanted her to be happy here. "I'll try not to scare everyone off, but can't you be friends with girls?"

She giggled at that, and I couldn't stop a smile from stretching over my face. She'd actually let go because of something I said.

When she recovered, she sipped her drink, and we watched people on the ice.

Finally, I sighed and turned slightly toward her. "I have a feeling I'm going to mess up a lot. I'd appreciate it if you could be patient with me."

Dakota looked at me as if she didn't know what to make of me.

"I've never been a dad before. I don't know what the rules are and how I'm supposed to navigate these issues. And honestly? I was hoping I had more time before you started dating." I didn't even know when kids started dating these days. I don't remember being interested until I met Addison, but we were fourteen, not much older than Dakota was now.

Dakota bumped shoulders with me. "I'll take it easy on you."

I grinned at her. "'Preciate that."

Dakota checked her phone. "Addison's here."

"Tell her we're by the rink." I wasn't ready to let Dakota go yet.

I waited for her to type out the message, and then I said, "Do you think you're ready to meet my family? One of my cousin's wives, Scarlett, wants to host a dinner at her house."

"I'd like to meet your cousins."

"They can be a little much. Especially if you're not used to a big family."

"You must know what that's like. Weren't you an only child?"

I nodded. "It took some time to get used to it, and I still have to take breaks here and there." Usually when I saw my cousins with their parents, I felt a sense of loss. That was something I never said out loud to anyone except for Addison.

"I want to meet your family," Dakota said quietly, and I was struck by how lucky I was that Dakota was my daughter. I'd been a little worried that she'd be more standoffish toward me. But so far, she was open to getting to know me. I just hoped that continued.

Addison stopped in front of us. "You two have a good time?"

I lifted my gaze to meet hers. She wore jeans, a puffy jacket, and a knit cap over her dirty blond hair. Her cheeks were red from the cold.

"I'm terrible at ice-skating," Dakota said as she stood.

Seeing them standing together had me wondering what would have happened if I hadn't walked away from Addison. What if Dakota was our child? The thought of being a family sent my heart racing. I had no business even thinking about a future that I'd put a stop to.

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