Chapter 39 #2
I blinked, looking to Grady for some guidance because I had no idea what it meant. I didn’t know what the future held for us, but I did know I wanted to be with them and I didn’t care what it took or what I had to do.
“Well, I’m not sure what it means,” I said honestly.
Her little brows furrowed together in confusion. “But Daddy says I’m not allowed to kiss anyone unless we’re getting married…”
I glanced at him and narrowed my eyes. There was no way in hell she should grow up believing that, but we could cross that bridge later when the balance and fate of my complicated relationship with her father wasn’t hanging in the balance.
Grady, to his credit, looked away sheepishly before focusing his attention on his daughter.
“There’s a lot Miss Cleo and I need to talk about, but.
” He paused to take a breath. “Would it be okay with you if she were, eventually, in that kind of role for you? No one, and I mean this, Charlie, no one will ever or could ever replace your mom. She loves you more than anything else in the world. But—”
“But you also love Miss Cleo?” she asked.
Grady didn’t hesitate. He nodded, blue eyes shining as he said, “I do, very much. Is that okay with you?”
“Yes, because I love Miss Cleo, too! And so will Mommy. She’ll be so happy.”
I wasn’t sure how I felt about that, but I would have time to analyze it later.
Meeting Olivia was going to be one of the most nerve-wracking things I’d ever done.
It would be worth it, but that didn’t mean I was necessarily looking forward to it.
She was gorgeous, talented, and had a multi-million-dollar business under her control.
Though I knew there was nothing to worry about, I couldn’t help but think about how she’d spent the last seventeen years by his side while I was trying my hardest to move on.
When our relationship became public, there would be criticisms, of course, both from the public and from my own mind.
To be honest, it was strange to think about the reach of the announcement of his divorce and its impact on our relationship.
I’m sure there would be rumors of infidelity on his side.
It wouldn’t matter what we said, people would draw their own conclusions about what happened and run with it.
The thought of it was terrifying, honestly. I’d never allowed myself to be in a position where I would be so openly hated and judged. Was I ready for that? Was I strong enough to handle the whispers of people around town?
Two weeks ago, I would’ve said not a chance. I would’ve counted myself out before ever testing my limits, but now that I had Grady back in my life, I knew the answer was a very loud, resounding yes. I would let myself be flayed apart and destroyed if it meant we could be together.
“Liv will love you, by the way,” Grady said, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “She’s heard me talk about you for years.”
“Really?”
“Oh yeah,” he chuckled. “She knows our whole story. Witnessed every moment I pined for the one I’d lost. She’s your biggest supporter, other than me, obviously, and has been foaming at the mouth to meet you.”
I didn’t know why I was crying, but I felt the tears well up all the same.
I’d spent so long feeling jealous of a woman I’d never met, and yet she was cheering Grady and me on the entire time.
Was it silly to be thankful he had someone to fill his life with love, whether platonic or romantic, while we were both figuring our shit out?
Maybe, but I was all the same. Besides, if they hadn’t gotten together, they never would have had Charlie, who was becoming just as important to me as her father was.
“Hey, hey,” Grady said, wiping away my tears. “No crying. I’m sorry. Was this too much?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Why’re you apologizing when I was the one who just outed us to your daughter?”
“I don’t know that we were ever much of a secret,” he chuckled. “I mean, I’ve been pretty obvious with how much I wanted you. It won’t come as some big secret.”
He had a point. There was no way anyone in my family would be surprised, except possibly my dad.
That was just because I hadn’t talked to him much in the past two weeks.
I couldn’t help but wonder what he would make of all this, especially when he hadn’t remembered Grady to begin with.
Would he think it was too soon? Was I rushing into things?
He hadn’t said anything to Josie and Lennox, but he was used to them making rash decisions where their hearts were concerned.
I, on the other hand, was the exact opposite.
I asked questions, overanalyzed, and spiraled before coming to an overly rational conclusion.
When Mom asked me what was taking so long to marry Thomas, Dad offered his full support, allowing me all the time I needed.
I’d only ever seen a hint of concern when I came home from college the weekend after my birthday.
I thought I’d hidden my despair over Grady and me breaking up well enough, but he’d seen right through me.
We spent our days curled up in the living room, watching old movies as I eventually sobbed onto his chest.
“I know I’m wasting my breath, but try not to worry, okay?” Grady said, pulling me back to the present. “The only people whose opinions matter are the people we know love us and want the best for us.”
He pulled me down onto his lap, patting the other open spot for Charlie, who immediately climbed up, and then he wrapped his arms around us both and squeezed us tight.
It didn’t alleviate my concerns or fear, but it brought me comfort, knowing we’d likely face a mess in our future, yet we would be able to get through it because we had each other.
I hoped that would be enough.