Page 90 of Forbidden Hearts
No, she can’t. She needs to leave and change the world.
Her chin falls, and she sighs. I gently lift her head to meet my gaze.“She will come back. This is her home.”
“And we can be friends?”
I nod.“I bet she’d like that. One day, you’ll want to go away, and I’ll miss you, but I’ll need to let you go.”
“I’m going to be a doctor,”Liv says. For as long as I can remember, that’s what she’s wanted to be.
“And so will Phoebe.”
“She will be a good one.”
I grin.“So will you. Ready to fish?”
Olivia shrugs and grabs her pole.“I bet I’ll catch one before you.”
I lift one eyebrow, not willing to let this challenge go unanswered.“And if you don’t?”
She taps her finger on her chin.“If you win, I do the dishes.”
She’s doing them anyway, but the bet would make her doing them easier.“What if you win?”
“I get to sleep at Aunt Brynn’s for the weekend.”
“What? I have the whole weekend planned for us.”
Liv lifts one shoulder.“You’re boring, Dad.”
I’m not boring. I’m the fun parent. I’m the one who does all the shit her mother doesn’t allow. Now, I’m offended and plan to win and eat ice cream with my feet up as she does the dishes.
Not willing to waste a second, I grab my pole, toss hers like a javelin, bait mine, sink my line in, and prepare to win.
* * *
“I can’t wait for our fun weekend,” Brynn says as I walk Olivia into the cottage. Liv rushes to Brynn, wrapping her arms around her in a tight hug before stepping back.
Olivia signs. “Can I go back to my room and unpack?”
“Of course! And there is a special treat back there for our girls’ weekend.”
“Bye, Daddy!”Liv signs before giving me a hug and then running to the bedroom Brynn has set up for her.
“She’s so excited. We’re going to have a blast!”
“Glad the two of you will have fun,” I grumble. “Not like I have anything to do.”
No kid. No girlf—Phoebe, no friends, and I’m not hanging out with Rowan because every time I do, I get shitfaced and regret my choices.
Although maybe that’s exactly what I need. To get drunk, forget everything, and make shit choices.
“Oh, stop, you can go back to your house to brood and be your grumpy self,” Brynn says, brushing her shoulder against mine. “Besides, you’ve had a lot of Olivia time, consider this your off weekend. Go do something. Find a friend.”
“I think I’ll call Rowan.”
She laughs. “Well, that’s never a good idea. It seems my big brother is upset about something.”
“I’m not upset about anything.”
