Page 84 of Dancing in the Rain

She rolled her eyes. “Also, this isn’t a date. We’re friends.”

“Right.” But once again their eyes met and heat flowed between them.

Peyton pulled her cellphone out of her jeans pocket to check it.

He eyed her curiously, hoisting an eyebrow when she looked up then tucked the phone away.

She shrugged. “Just checking. It feels weird to be doing something like this. I’ve been so immersed in family stuff for the last month. Over a month now.”

“There’s nothing wrong with taking an evening off for a little relaxation. You’ve been working your ass off, looking after everyone else, including your job.” He wished he could do more to make things easier for her. Except he had a feeling things were only going to get harder.

“You’re right. I know you’re right. Having fun just doesn’t seem like a huge priority right now.”

“I know.” He covered her hand with his on the railing. “But you’re not letting anyone down by being here.”

She smiled at him. “Thanks.” She turned her gaze back to the dazzling skyline. “Can I ask you something?”

“Uh…maybe?”

“About Chloe.”

“Ah.”

“Do you love her?”

His chest constricted. “Sara already asked me that.”

“Did she?”

“Yeah. But then she changed it to ask if I thought Icouldlove her, as if she knew it was too soon for me to know that.”

“And what did you say?”

“I said yes. And the truth is…” He pulled in fresh lake air through his nose. “I do love her.”

She nodded. “That’s good.”

“It’s fucking terrifying.”

She shifted her weight against the railing to face him, her expression curious. “Why?”

“I don’t know how to be a dad. I’m probably the worst dad in the world.”

She snorted. “Yeah, not even close, you ass.”

He rubbed his face. “Okay, yeah. But still…it’s a huge responsibility.” Yeah, he loved talking about his biggest fears.Not. “I don’t want to let her down. I don’t want to fail her.”

She studied him over the rim of her glass as she sipped her wine. “You don’t like failing.”

He swallowed. “Who does?”

“Nobody. But holding yourself back from her, and from a relationship with her because you’re afraid of failing her, is probably…failing her.”

His belly muscles went rigid and his chest burned. “I’m not holding back.”

“No?”

Was he? He didn’t even know. Maybe he was. His throat thickened and he cleared it. “I won’t.”

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