Page 191 of Beautifully Scarred

She shakes her head. “It’s not your burden to bear. They’re going to call you a deadbeat dad.”

“Listen, it’s none of their business. I’m happy to talk about the arrangement we have now and discuss how much joy I’m getting out of being a father but everything else is none of their business.”

“I’m not comfortable with you coming out looking like the bad guy.”

Monica squeals, and we both look over to see that the last wave moved farther up the shore than she was expecting. She laughs and waves to us. We both wave back.

“Sweetheart, I know your concerns about the press. This is me doing what I have to in order to protect you.”

She gives me a small smile. “I don’t know…”

“Let me do this, okay?” I squeeze her hand.

She doesn’t say anything but looks back at Monica.

“There’s one more thing,” I say.

Lilah lets her head fall back, looking at the sky, and her hat falls off and onto the sand. “God, what now?”

I chuckle. “Tripp texted me. He’ll be back from Europe in a couple weeks. Wondered if he could meet Monica.”

She rights her head and picks up her hat, dusting the sand off the top. “I never asked how he felt about this whole thing.”

I shrug. “He was surprised at first obviously, but I think he can tell how happy I am.”

“He’s a good friend to you.”

I nod. “He is.”

“Sure, if he wants to meet her, he’s more than welcome to.” She faces me and points. “No women or other shenanigans though. I remember what he was like.”

“As if I’d let him do that. He’s mellowed a bit anyway.”

She raises a brow.

“I said a bit, not totally.”

We both laugh, and I feel better now that we’ve discussed the things that had been on my mind. One thing I need to learn is not to be afraid to tell Lilah everything. Years ago, I purposely hid info that I thought might trigger her to use. It feels nice to have an adult conversation where we both communicate our feelings. Now we just have to get through the Kids’ Pick Honors tomorrow and Lilah will see that she still fits into my life.

Chapter Seventy-seven

LILAH

“I’m going to run and get my nails done down the road.”

I noticed that the place I used to go to a long time ago is still there. Today is the Kids’ Pick Honors and rather than sit around the house and continue to let this nauseated feeling grow worse, I’d prefer to do something—anything. And it's been ages since I had a manicure.

“Want us to join you?” Jimmy asks.

I shake my head. “I’ll only be an hour. Mind if I take your car?”

“Of course not.” He grabs the keys off the counter and tosses them to me.

“Monica, you be good for your dad, and when I get home, we’ll get you ready, okay?”

She looks up from the puzzle she’s working on at the kitchen table. “Okay, Mommy.”

I wave bye to Jimmy, who blows me a kiss since Monica isn’t looking. I return it with one of my own. God, we’re so cheesy, I think with a grin. I wouldn’t change it for anything. I remember how unpredictable our old relationship was.

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