Chapter 30
chapter
thirty
NATE
For the record, I knew you liked my tattoos. All that talk from Addie was hogwash.
MAREN
Hogwash, huh?
I run my finger along my twitching bottom lip, and I stifle a smirk.
I’m trying not to curse around Teagan. Need all the practice I can get.
Speaking of tattoos…
I had you naked on my kitchen counter, and I didn’t see any tattoos for me anywhere on your body. That hurts...
Such a tragedy must be remedied immediately.
I expect you to be tatted up before our date tomorrow night.
Yes, sir.
I can practically hear the purr in her voice as she utters the word “sir.”
It’d be poetic too, wouldn’t you agree?
What do you mean?
For my first tattoo to be for you, since you were my first and all.
She adds a winky face, and I drag my hand over my face. This unfiltered, crazy grin while I stare at my phone has become my entire personality since last night.
That reminds me… I should grab peach moonshine for us.
She responds with blushing emojis, and another grin breaks free as memories of our first time parade through my mind.
We were just a couple of teenagers in a field with a stolen Mason jar of peach moonshine.
We’d snuck away during a bonfire after junior prom.
No one was even paying attention when we swiped the booze, because Owen and Josh Rivers were too busy trying to burn their arm hair off.
I think it was a sad attempt to get some girl’s attention, but from what I heard the next day, it turned into some weird competition.
It would’ve been safer—and faster—to just measure their dicks.
The sun beams down on me through the windshield.
With it warming my face, I plop my phone into the cup holder and roll forward in the school pick-up line. We’re finally moving after the last twenty minutes of stalling in park.
I spot Teagan’s glittery purple shirt on the end of a bench. She hops up, rights her backpack over her shoulders, and points toward my Jeep.
The sight of her just makes me grin harder.
Before she follows the teacher toward me, she waves to another little girl over her shoulder. Is that a new friend? I suspect it’s the first thing she’ll tell me about, but once she slams the door shut, she asks, “Did you take any more photos of baby goats today?”
“Not today.” I chuckle. I covered a goat yoga class last week, and she’s asked about baby Pippa every day since. It’s made me wonder if she’s going to start asking for a pet goat, instead of a dog, that she can call Pumpernickel.
“I’m coming with you next time you go.” She’s said as much every day too.
“I promise.” I turn onto Chestnut Avenue, heading away from home. I eye her in the mirror as I ask, “Did you make any new friends today?”
Her eyes light up, and when she grins, her dimples pop like my own. “I met Mira at dance class last night, and I asked if she’s watched KPOP Demon Hunters. She has the same name as the grumpy Huntrix girl. Remember the one?”
“Of course.”
“This Mira doesn’t have pink hair, but she said she wants pink hair. She loves the movie as much as I do. We sang some of the songs while we played at recess.”
“That’s great.” Warmth settles into my chest. As if I weren’t already thankful enough that Maren suggested the dance class, this just takes the cake.
“Her full name is Mirabelle, but we call her Mira for short. Maybe we could call me Teag?” Her brows lift as she peers out the window. If I had to guess, she’s lost in a world where she’s “Teag.”
“What do you think about stopping to see Miss Maren on our way home, Teag?”
“I don’t like it.”
I frown. “Not even to say hi?”
“I mean, I don’t like the nickname. Can you stick with kiddo, please?”
“You bet.” I cover my grin with my free hand as I steer us toward Cream and Sugar.
“I love going to Miss Maren’s. You always look at her funny.”
“How so?”
She shrugs, pursing her lips and humming in contemplation. After a short pause, she says, “You look at her like Mommy looks at Diego.”
I study her in the rearview mirror for any sign of discomfort or disapproval, but just as I suspected, I don’t detect any. She’s a big fan of Maren’s.
Still, it’s a delicate thing. One I figured I’d have to handle eventually. I knew the day would come when I’d introduce her to someone I have feelings for—I hoped the day would come, anyway—and it doesn’t feel as far off as it used to anymore.
It’s not the time to tell Teagan just yet. Not until Maren and I have our first date, at least, but I know when the time does come, my daughter will be happy.
Her giggles pull my attention to the backseat once again. “Or like Nan-Nan looks at croissants. She is obsessed!”
I chuckle alongside her, especially when she adds, “We should get her a croissant cake for her birthday. Do they make those? We can make one and put chocolate sauce and sprinkles on top. Maybe even ice cream.”
“I bet she’d love it.”
Knowing my mom, she would scoop up croissant cake with a shovel and gobble it up like it’s the best thing she’s ever tasted, if it meant her only granddaughter would be happy.
We near Maren’s truck, and while Teagan hums a slow tune under her breath, I lose myself in my own world. Except it’s no longer a fantasy life. It’s becoming real.
I’m living it, and I fucking love it.
I have a date with Maren tomorrow night—something I’ve dreamt about for years.
I get to see my daughter every day. Not only that, she seems to be thriving here. Ever since she started baking with Maren, she’s bubblier. Supper with my parents makes her smile. And Nerf War Sundays give her something to look forward to before she goes to school the next day.
With this new friend Mira in the picture, I doubt she’ll dread Monday mornings anymore. Feels like another piece of the puzzle clicking into place.
And this is all just the beginning. We’re building a life here—together—and it’s shaping up to be a damn sweet one.
I once thought I had everything I ever wanted, but it’s nothing compared to this life in Sapphire Creek.
On the contrary, the last few trips I went on for work left me… empty. The void started small, but with every new place with all new people, it doubled in size until I realized I wasn’t having fun anymore.
I loved seeing new things and meeting the locals, but I was merely a visitor in their towns—and their lives. I was a tourist in every way, flitting in and out, never to be seen again.
When I first moved back to town, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about staying in one place. There were a few moments where I was even afraid I’d get antsy, but it hasn’t been the case.
Rather, I feel at peace.
I’ve experienced one adventure after another, bearing witness to some of the most breathtaking phenomena of the world, but I wouldn’t trade this little life in my small hometown for any of it. The familiarity, the community, the love here—it’s incomparable.
“I’m going to bake cinnamon swirl cookies for the bake-off,” Teagan announces.
“I’m still dreaming about those. They were delicious.”
“You say that about all of them!”
“You’re a talented baker.” I shrug.
“I still need to get the hang of mixing. I just never know when it’s ready.”
“With enough practice, you’ll get there, kiddo.”
“Because my best can be better.”
“That’s right.” I glance in the rear view, mimicking the proud tilt of Teagan’s chin as she repeats something my high school football coach used to say, especially after a win. He didn’t like us getting too comfortable. He’d say that comfort leads to complacency, which leads to losing.
I’ve kept his philosophy in the back of my head ever since. It’s what helped me excel at football, how I leveled up my Bs to As in my classes, and the reason I accelerated with photography.
It’s never been enough to make my ass learn to cook, but that’s what restaurants and delivery apps are for.
I throw the Jeep into park, and over my shoulder, I ask, “Ready?”
Teagan hops out, and I meet her around the back and match her short strides toward the lavender truck. The color reminds me of the way Maren looked at me when I revealed the lavender tattoo on my wrist.
Her eyes held a sheen of tears, through which I found a mix of relief and love—it was unmistakable. It felt like it finally clicked for her that I’m all in.
“If it isn’t my favorite customer…” Maren flashes us a grin.
“Singular?” I arch a brow.
And she tilts her head toward Teagan. “She’s just too cute.”
“I’m just too cute, Daddy.” She shrugs, and while I halt in front of the window, Teagan rounds the side and appears again next to Maren inside the truck.
“Kiddo, I don’t think you need to be back there.” I shoot Maren an apologetic smile, but I’m greeted with a wink.
“Miss Maren always lets me up here. I’m her assistant, remember?”
“I thought that was an arrangement for the house.”
“No,” Teagan draws out. “I’m going to learn to make coffee too.”
“Is that right?”
Smirking, Maren chimes in, “I never thought I’d have so much to teach young minds, but here we are. I’m just so interesting.”
“I could’ve told you that.” I lean my elbow on the counter.
Maren dips lower to meet my eye level, her lips curling upward. “Go ahead. Tell me.”
Teagan rummages through the syrups, oblivious to us, but I still lower my voice when I say, “You are super interesting. And I can’t wait to show you just how interesting you are tomorrow night.”
Maren’s lips part, and Teagan pops up from behind her. “What can we get you, Daddy?”
“Please don’t say your usual…” Maren eyes me as she wipes her hands on her apron.
“Black?” My own daughter grimaces with disgust.
I fold my arms over my chest. “Fine. I’ll try whatever you two deem acceptable. Surprise me.”
Teagan squeals and dips her head toward Maren like they’re in a football huddle, strategizing what liquid dessert to torment me with.
I chuckle at my girls.
My girls.
The thought hits me like a bag of bricks.
But it quickly settles over me, wrapping around me like a hug.