Page 261 of Never Fall for an Angel

“Going to be getting colder soon. We’ll have to cover this place up.”

Lily frowns, following me back towards the lodge.

After everything happened, we turned it from a socialite’s dream mountain venue to a family lodge with more affordable prices. Surprisingly, it was Mila’s idea, and Bella’s been far happier now that she’s not running herself rampant to organize the finest caterers and decorators.

I like the lodge now. Fuck, it’s home. I like being able to raise my family here without worrying about what kind of life they’re growing up in.

Now, instead of formal banquets and expensive garden parties, we’re having slip-n-slide contests with the other families and scavenger hunts.

It feels . . . real, now.

Something I can leave behind for Lily and whatever other kids Mila and I have.

This will be my legacy. Not wealth.

“What’s wrong, Lily?”

“Nothing,” she lies.

I side-eye her.

“You’re quiet.”

“Do you think they’ll like me?” she asks after a long pause.

“Why wouldn’t they?”

“I’m different,” she points out.

Another part of being a father I never expected? This infinite urge to not only protect but to let life happen. Learning to control your overbearing tendencies fucking sucks.

I pull Lily to a stop at the edge of the party.

Mila’s entire family is here. Mine too. The last time we were all in one place was when Mila and I had arealwedding over ayear ago. Once everything died down, I wanted to give her the choice. A real choice to marry me and spend the rest of her life with me.

Luckily, she accepted. I’m not sure what I would have done if she hadn’t.

Kneeling down to her level, I force her to look at me and not the people milling about, getting ready to sit down to dinner.

“Everyone’s different. It’s what makes life exciting. If we were all the same, there would be no love. No joy. Nothing. Just emptiness.”

“You think?” she asks, biting her lip.

Sometimes she’s so much like Mila it scares the shit out of me.

“I know so,” I correct, and she looks back at the party. Across the way, I see Mila watching us, her brows furrowed together. “Remember our deal?”

“One hour.”

“Yep.”

“When does the clock start?”

I chuckle under my breath and stand. “As soon as you sit down to eat.”

I steer her towards the party, and Monica opens her arms for a hug. Of everyone, Monica’s the last person I expected to be so open to Mila and my decision to adopt Lily. She takes her role as grandmother seriously, and she’s already spoiled her.

Lily beams and runs into her arms while I join my wife on the opposite side of the table. I lean into her, wrapping my arms around her stomach, and press a kiss to her cheek.

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