Page 130 of When We Break

He sips his drink. “Are you thinking about marriage, then? With my Skyla Maeve?”

My stomach clenches at the idea of her wearing my ring.

“Eventually, absolutely.” I smile at the other man. “You raised a brilliant, kind, loving woman, Patrick. She’s everything I never knew I needed in my life. That I didn’t know I was waiting for. Yes, someday soon, I’d love to marry her and start a family with her. For now, for right this moment, I can’t wait to get her home and start growing old with her.”

He doesn’t smile back. If anything, the few lines on his face seem to deepen as he watches me over the rim of his glass.

“A father’s greatest hope is that his children find where they belong. Whether that’s a place or a person. I figured that New York City and ballet were that for my girl, but I can see that I was wrong. She loves being in Montana, and I know she loves you.”

My brows pull together. “How do you know?”

“Aside from the forty times she said it today alone,” he says with a chuckle, “it’s in the way she looks at you and you her. I have that with her mother. Money can’t buy it. It’s a connection, a feeling that sets up root in your soul and doesn’t let go. You know you’d do anything for them, no matter what.”

I take a deep breath. “You’re right. I’d do anything for her. Even meet fucking royalty.”

Patrick laughs at that and shrugs. “You’ll survive it, son. It’s the price you pay for being with someone extraordinary.”

“She’s everything.” My voice is soft. “As far as I’m concerned, she hung the moon.”

“Good. When the time comes, there will be an ironclad prenup. It’s nothing personal.”

“I don’t want anything from you, Patrick. I do fine on my own.”

“I know.” He grins. “I checked you and your business out.”

“Of course, you did.”

He shrugs. “I’m her father, and I have unlimited resources. It’s par for the course.”

“And if I hadn’t passed the test?”

“You wouldn’t be here. But I do like you, and your family, and it’s pleased I am that you’ve all welcomed my girl into your fold as if she’s one of your own.”

“Sheisone of us.”

“And now, you’re one of us,” he replies, clinking his glass to mine.

* * *

“I’ll stretch with you,” Birdie says. It’s just past noon the next day, the day of the event, and everyone is in our suite. The energy is electric. Taylor Swift is shaking it off through the speakers, and Birdie mimicks Skyla’s stretch moves.

“You’re a wonderful partner,” Skyla assures my niece, earning a wide grin from the little girl.

Skyla sits up, and her eyes scan the room, looking for me. They warm when they find me, and she blows me a kiss.

I cross the room and take her hand, pulling her to her feet, then plant my lips on hers.

“Yuck,” Birdie mutters, making me smile.

“Not yuck,” Skyla whispers. “I’m so nervous.”

“You’re beautiful,” I reply and push my fingers in her loose hair, loving the way the smooth strands feel against my skin. “And talented and amazing. You have no reason to be nervous, Irish. You’re ready for this. You’re going to smash it.”

“Gosh, that’s romantic,” Dani says with a happy sigh, and I smile but don’t look away from my girl.

“What do you need, baby?”

“I know what she needs,” Billie says, patting me on the shoulder. “Let her go, lover boy.”

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