Page 108 of Bad For A Weekend

He winces. “I know, and I took that into consideration too. But Baylor has always known what she wanted, and I trust her judgment. If she wants to move forward in a relationship with you, then I don’t see that changing.”

“You brought me here to give me your blessing?”

“In part.”

“I appreciate that. This definitely weighed on my mind and was some of the reason I walked away.”

“But not all of it?”

I rub my hands down my thighs. “Baylor is... everything. She’s smart and driven. She knows what she wants from life, and I have no doubt she’ll achieve it all. She’s also funny and sassy.” I grin, thinking about that smart mouth I love so much.

“She is. I really lucked out with her. But I’m still not seeing the problem.”

My smile falls. “I thought I knew what I wanted out of life. I had a career I loved and a purpose. But the day of the shooting, that all went away and now... I don’t know. I feel like I’m starting all over, and I don’t know what I want. My biggest worry is bringing Baylor down. I’d never forgive myself if she didn’t live up to her full potential because of me.”

He nods. “I can respect that.”

“I’m sorry.”

He studies me for a minute. “Don’t apologize. Do better.”

“What?”

“Do you love my daughter?”

“I do.”

“Do you want to be with her?”

“For as long as she’ll allow.”

“Then stop making excuses and do better. You dealt with some shit—no one can argue that—but it’s over and done. You figured out your purpose once, so I know you can do it again.”

“I’ve tried.”

“Is my daughter worth the effort?”

“Corey, it’s not that easy.”

“Is she?” he asks again.

“She’s worth the world.”

“Then try again.”

The whole “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” argument doesn’t allow for things like mental health. And maybe it shouldn’t. I don’t fucking know anymore.

“It’s not that easy.”

He stands. “Okay. Well, I have some last-minute packing to do before tomorrow. You know your way out.”

My brows furrow. “That’s it?”

“Yeah, that’s it. I thought you were a man I could trust with my daughter’s heart, but she deserves more than a man who gives up when things get hard.”

Ouch. But how can I dispute that? Ever since Hudson took me off the job, I’ve done nothing but mope and dwell on all I’ve lost. I’m pathetic.

“Thanks for hearing me out,” I say.

---