Page 37 of Single Dad Christmas

“I don’t know what the future holds,” he said, choosing not to make a promise either way. “But I know that I like her and that she makes me happy, and that I want to keep seeing her.”

“Right.” Taylor’s features were pinched, and her fingers shook a little.

“Nothing will ever change between us, Tay. You’re my daughter, and I love you more than life itself.”

“But I don’t make you happy.”

Not lately, no, he felt like saying. “There are different kinds of happy,” he said, after a beat. “This is a very grown up?—,”

“I’m not a kid, Dad. Clearly, you’re sleeping with her, I get it.”

He stared at his daughter, who had become a young adult without his really realizing that, lips parted. “I wasn’t referring to sex,” he responded, treating her like the mature adult she clearly wanted to be. “I just mean, when you’re grown up and you date someone, and they’re right for you in so many ways, it kind of feels like you’re walking on air.”

Taylor stood up abruptly. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I want to keep seeing her.”

“That’s not my decision.”

“Yes, it is.”

She stared at him.

“You’re my daughter, and I swore, the day you were born, that I would do absolutely everything I could for you. Always. That I would sacrifice anything. And as much as I enjoy spending time with Louisa, if you hate the idea, then that will be it.” He felt a stitch of pain deep in his gut when he thought of never seeing Louisa romantically again. “But if you would at least give this a try, see how you feel about her, and having her in both our lives…”

“I have a mother.” She wrapped her arms around her torso. “I know you’re trying to wipe her out of my life, but she’s real. She’s mine. She loves me.”

“I know she loves you,” Noah said, aware that this was suddenly going very badly. “And Louisa would never try to take her place.” Hell, he didn’t even know what Louisa wanted. “But if she’s in my life, I think she has to be in your life, to some degree. I don’t want to hide someone important from you.”

“Important,” Taylor repeated, as though he’d just threatened to kill a kitten.

“Yes, important.” It was the perfect way to describe Louisa. “I don’t know what our future holds. She’s probably going to go back to Moricosia at some point, but while she’s here, in Sydney, I want to be with her.”

“God, Dad. This is…I don’t need this today.”

“Yeah, and I didn’t need that last night,” he said, then wished, immediately, that he could take the words back, because Taylor’s face flashed with guilt, and he had no idea what had actually gone down at the party, only that it must have been serious for his daughter to reach out to him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. You canalwayscall me. Anytime you need me, I promise you that.”

She looked like she wanted to fight him, but in light of the fact he had gone to collect her the night before, without judgement or reprimand, the reality was at least on his side.

“I really don’t care,” she snapped. “If you want to hook up with half of Sydney, go right ahead. It’s your life, not mine.” And she stormed from the room, slamming her door for good measure.

Noah didn’t goto work that day, and even though Louisa was glad not to have to see him again after that morning, she felt hisabsence like a spreading bruise, deep in her flesh. Every time the door to her office opened, she looked up and expected to find him striding in. Memories of how they worked together—zigging and zagging in unison—were thick in her mind.

But so was the reality of the night before, and how right she’d been to end it.

She’d hated how it had felt to be on the periphery of his life. Suddenly, the fact that he was a father, and she didn’t belong in his family had cut her to the very heart of her being. Because she’d wanted to belong. She’d wanted to be a part of his life. All of it.

Tears threatened and she swallowed quickly, glancing at the clock across the room. Usually, she’d stay another hour, but it was already well past five. She packed up her desk efficiently, moved out of the office, and said good night to Rose on her way to the elevators.

“Oh, Louisa,” Rose called. “Noah asked me to give you a message.”

Louisa froze, her heart leaping into her throat as she turned around, doing her best to maintain a serene appearance.

“Oh?”

“He asked you to meet him at the hotel. He wants to show you some of the facilities, for advertising purposes. There’s a car waiting downstairs.”

Louisa stared at Rose, waiting for the words to filter through her brain and then to fully make sense, but in truth, she was totally confused. And uncertain.

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