Page 65 of The Lake House

“Oh yeah? About what?”

I take a seat on the couch and tap the space to my right so she can join me.

Once she does, I speak once more. “I’d like you to meet my daughter… if you’re up for it, if you want to? But you don’t have to.” I stop talking. I realize I’m rambling and going back and forth. Taking in her expression, she doesn’t seem turned off in any way. In fact, her smile right now is speaking a thousand words.

“Really? You want me to meet Lily? I’m honored because I know exactly what she means to you. I would love to meet her, babe.”

I let out a sigh of relief. I was hoping she would say as much, but I didn’t know if she would feel like it’d be too soon.

She’s so right, though. My little girl means everything to me, and the fact that it’s even crossed my mind to introduce a woman who I’m romantically involved with to my daughter says so much about how I feel about Giuliana. There haven’t been many who have done so.

I know more than ever now that I am truly falling in love with her.

“I’m so happy to hear you say that, sweetheart. I think she’s going to love you.”

Giuliana smiles widely. “From the pictures and videos you’ve shown me of her, and the things you tell me about her, I already know I’m going to adore her. She’s so precious.”

I search her eyes once more and wonder how the hell I got so lucky. I bring her onto my lap and place a soft kiss on her cheek. “I’m so happy whenever we spend time together.”

Her arms wrap around my neck. “Me too.”

She looks at me through her thick, long lashes. Her beautiful eyes shimmer brightly, and it takes everything I have inside of me to hold back and not take her on the couch right now.

“Hey, I’ve got an idea!” she says, breaking my thoughts, and I’m thankful for it because I was so tempted to do more than just kiss her.

“What’s that, sweetheart?”

She smiles widely. “Well, I was thinking we could do a nice get together with you, me, Liv and her husband, their daughter, and maybe your friends, and Lily, so it wouldn’t be weird for her meeting me, you know? I don’t want her to feel out of place or nervous about it.”

God, I adore this woman. She’s always thinking about everyone else, and now she’s focused on my daughter, not feeling odd about the upcoming encounter.

“That’s a wonderful idea, babe. I’ll get Rog and Rach to join us. I’ve been talking about you to them long enough, and they’ve been wanting to officially meet you, too.”

“Perfect!”

ChapterTwenty-Four

GIULIANA

“How was last night?” Liv asks me through the phone as I’m putting some goodies on the shelf at Abner’s. It’s still kind of early, and I’m the only one here so far. I don’t mind opening the store. That sense of calm before the shoppers come in for the day is relaxing for me, even though I don’t just sit around and do nothing. There’s always something to be restocked or put away or piles to go through. It’s just that I have always enjoyed getting up early and starting my day. Plus, it’s so beautiful out here in Silver Mist that I just can’t wait to get out and enjoy each and every day.

I can’t lie, though. Ever since Declan and I have been going out, my days have a lot more meaning than they did before, and I’m excited about each day ahead. It’s just something about a new romance that makes me feel giddy inside. Not to mention that I haven’t felt this way in the longest time.

I smile to myself as I place a few boxes of cereal up on the shelf. “It went great.” Thinking of Declan always makes me happy.

“Like always,” she says through a small laugh.

I chuckle along with her. “Yeah, like always. That’s a good thing, though, right?”

“Of course it is!”

“Just checking.”

Liv lets out another giggle. “You’re crazy to even question it. Things are great between you two, and that’s wonderful. I’m just glad he got you that security camera, aside from changing your locks. I told you he was good at that stuff… and with his hands.”

I laugh again, looking around like someone heard her suggestive comment. I forgot for a second I’m still in the store alone. “Liv!”

“Hey, just stating the obvious.”

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