Page 36 of Too Close To Call

“Like what?”

I lean my head on Case’s shoulder. “I don’t know. I don’t remember much about my mom. The only knowledge I have of her is meeting her a few times over the years in hotels or restaurants. Then the thing with Dad’s will. I’m glad she wasn’t in my life. I could have turned out to be just as self-centered and egotistical as she is.”

Case kisses my temple and he pulls me closer into his side. “We may have to accept we’ll never know.”

“I’ve often wondered what it must have been like for him to be left with a baby he had no idea how to raise and a career he was working to build.” My dad had always made me feel special and wanted. But had it always been like that? Did he resent my birth? Then a horrible thought enters my mind—did my mother get pregnant to get my dad to marry her? I don’t remember the date of their marriage. Maybe I need to do some research.

“Your dad had already made a name for himself before you were born.”

“He was established, but he had to fight to stay on top. You know how it is. All the up-and-coming names want to dethrone the king. And I know that social media wasn’t like it is today, but I imagine he took a lot of flak about my mom leaving. They had a very public and grand wedding. I found pictures in an album in the attic when I was going through my dad’s things. Dad looked at my mom like she hung the moon in those pictures.”

Had they ever been in love? Had my mom ever really loved my dad or was it really his fame and lifestyle that she wanted?

“Maybe that was it. Maybe marriage changed them and he didn’t want that for us,” Case offered.

“That makes just as much sense as anything. But we wouldn’t have fallen apart like they did. We both knew the business. We would have supported each other because we understood what it takes to be in that world.”

I look up into his handsome face and he smiles as he lowers his lips to mine. I smile because this feels right.

“OMG! No PDA at a family shindig. Now, stop hogging Tori,” Kimberly says as she reaches to grab my hand and pull me up from the place I was very happy to be—beside Case.

Kimberly nudges me with her hip. “We’re playing lawn Jenga and you’re on my team.”

I chuckle to myself. She may regret those words. I’m very competitive when it comes to games. Thank goodness we’re on the same side.

CHAPTER 13

CASE

We stayed at the cookout until nearly ten. Most everyone left after dinner, but the core group of my family had stayed and shot the bull around the firepit. I’m not sure how I feel about how well both Daisy and Tori fit into the mix of my family. Daisy had even crawled onto my lap and fell asleep. I saw the look everyone gave me. I know my mom is making plans to order yarn to start on their Christmas stockings to add to the family collection on the fireplace mantle. The rest were giving out the smug vibes of “it’s only a matter of time.”

I suppose it depends on where I’m willing to allow this thing with her to go. She’s here for two more weeks and then I have no idea what happens after that. Two weeks to be with Tori like I always wanted to be. I can handle that. I won’t be disappointed when she leaves because I know she’s going.

Do I want to see her go? No. Do I want more time with her? Yes. Do I want forever with her? At one time I did. I’m not sure how we would work these days. I have no desire to leave Faire Island. This is my life now.

“Daisy was asleep before I got her pajamas on her,” Tori says as she walks back into the living room of the guest house.

I shake those thoughts away and my heart does funny things as my eyes run appreciatively over Tori. Her toned legs look a mile long as she walks toward me with a grin on her gorgeous face. I remember how those legs feel gripping my waist. “She had a big day.”

That she did. I’m sure she’s forgotten Ryan is picking her up on Saturday. He and Meghan are taking the kids to what Daisy calls ‘the princess playground.’ She has no idea what she’s in for. She’s going to freak out.”

I shift on the couch to get comfortable with my too-tight shorts.

“Daisy is leaving day after tomorrow?” It hits me that tomorrow could possibly be the last time I see Daisy. That’s not a thought I like.

Tori kicks her sandals off and drops onto the couch, curling her legs beneath her. “It’s the start of Ryan’s two full weeks with her. He likes to schedule something special during those weeks.”

Sharing custody isn’t something I’m familiar with. “It must be difficult splitting your time with her.”

“It is, but then I put myself in Ryan’s place. We didn’t go through lawyers. There was no drama or controversy over visitation. I wanted Daisy to be with her father as much as she could, but you know what a racing season is like. He doesn’t see her much during the season. I’m proud of the way we’ve put Daisy first and made decisions in her best interest instead of ours.”

“Wow. Daisy is a lucky girl.” Ryan has an everlasting connection with Tori that I’ll never have… unless I want more. I’m not going to let my mind go there. After the day and night we just spent, it would be too easy to fall into… “I guess I should be going.”

Tori snickers. “Why? Because you have such a long walk to get to your house?”

No, because of the place my heart is leading me. But I don’t admit that out loud. That doesn’t mean I don’t want Tori. Those cut-off denim shorts have been tormenting me all day.

“Can you step outside? I mean, is it safe to leave Daisy for a moment if we go no further than the porch?”

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