Each night Eva leaves makes me wish I could work faster on her office. Yes, it’s in my home, but I want it to be hers—the office and, more importantly, the home. There isn’t much left, but my injury is not helping matters. While it isn’t major, I don’t want to prolong my recovery by doing too much. With a helper for two or three days of solid work, I can finish it. I resolve to ask for assistance from an unlikely source today. After feeding Roxie, I prepare a coffee and shuffle to Lilah’s room to wake her.
Giggles meet me before I cross the threshold. “Roxie is silly. Her tongue is rough.”
I smile at my daughter and partner. “Time to get up for soccer.”
A frown materializes on her face where a smile typically appears when I mention soccer. “It’s the last one, though.” She pouts.
“I know, but I’m fairly certain your goal will arrive in the next few days so you can practice through the summer.”
“Okay. Thank you, Daddy.”
I leave her room only for her to call me back.
“Daddy?”
Hovering at the threshold again, I reply, “Yeah, Li.”
“I love Miss Eva. Is it okay for me to tell her?”
Instantly, my chest tightens, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. “Of course you should tell her.” Pot. Kettle. “What brought this on?”
“She takes care of me, lets me help with cooking, and she came to my tea. I had a mom for the first time. Miss Alannah is smart, pretty, and nice, but she doesn’t live here.”
“Miss Eva doesn’t live with us.” Yet.
“She doesn’t sleep here, but she’s always with us.”
Mostly accurate. “True. You can share whatever feelings you have with Miss Eva when you’re ready.”
“Can I call her Mom?”
My heart clenches. I’m at the top of the roller-coaster hill and need to make a choice before the car plummets to the bottom. “You’ll have to ask her that question, sweet pea.”
“’Kay. Is she coming to soccer?”
“As far as I know, she is.”
Lilah throws the covers off and rushes unnecessarily around her room to get ready. “Perfect. Eggs for breakfast, please?”
“Your wish is my command, sweet pea.”
Her giggles follow me down the hall. My phone chimes with a notification as I pull out the pans to cook.
Eva: Morning.
Me: Morning, sweetheart. Wish you were here to share eggs with us.
Eva: Me too. See you soon.
Lilah and I devour the eggs and toast before packing up for soccer. This session is the last one and includes snacks, as well as an awards ceremony. Ideally, I’ll be able to request assistance from my accomplice beforehand and, more importantly, before Eva arrives.
I park a few spaces away from Washington. He’s alone with the kids this morning. “Need a hand?”
“Thanks,” he replies as I reach for Corrinne.
She leaps into my arms willingly. “Hi, sweetie. You givin’ your dad a tough time this morning?”
She shakes her head and points to Caleb. “Him.” At least I think that’s what I heard her say.
I stifle a laugh and usher Lilah to the pitch. “Let’s go play some soccer.”
The kids cheer, and we walk toward the field.
After we leave the kids with the coaches, Washington states, “Thanks, Hagen.”
“No problem.”
“How’s the arm?”
“Healing but a hindrance just the same,” I offer.
“What do you mean?”
I scan the field in search of Eva. “I completed the living room and started remodeling the office for your sister.”
Washington turns to face my profile. “You’re building Eva an office at your house?”
“Yes, and with my injury, I need help to finish it before she rents office space.”
“I’m stuck with you, aren’t I?” His question was serious but with an amused undertone.
“Yes, if she’ll have me.” If I can work up the courage to say those three little words. I see Eva approaching.
Washington nods. “I may give you crap, but you’re a good guy. If Eva chooses you, I’m fine with it. When do you want help with—”
“Morning, Lachlan,” my gorgeous woman states. She slides her fingers into mine and kisses my cheek. “Hi, Grant.”
“Hey,” Washington mumbles.
We stand side by side and watch the kids play. After the awards are handed out, they have cupcakes and cookies in the early hours of the morning.
The kids hug before climbing into their car seats.
“Hagen, I’ll call you to work out the details,” Washington states.
“Sounds good. Thanks.”
“What details?” Eva asks.
Think quick. “Maggie wants to assist with the last-minute stuff for the race, if necessary.” A small white lie.
“Oh. We don’t need help, do we? We only need to verify the volunteer schedule and pick up the signage. Plus, we have almost a month to pull it off.”
“I think so. I’ll let her down easy. We make a great team, and she kind of forced us to work together.”
Eva laughs. “She did that, didn’t she?”
“I’m not mad about it. Are you?”
“Not even a little. It gave us an excuse to spend time together.”
“I didn’t need one.”
“Perhaps the word is cover. We used the planning as cover to keep prying eyes and ears out of our business,” she suggests.
“Fair. I didn’t need either one. I wanted to spend time with you since our stroll on the beach.”
“You mean when you shared each dirty thought in detail with me?”
“Admit it, you liked it.”
“Your candor took me by surprise initially, but I love it now.”
With a wink, I kiss her and usher her toward her car. “I’ll see you at home.”
We hang out around the house for the rest of the day. After Lilah reads stories to Roxie, who has become her favorite listener, Eva leaves for the evening.
“I’ll call you when I wake up,” I offer, leaning against the front door.
“Okay. Dinner after work?”
“Of course.” I haul her against me and kiss her to the brink of dragging her into my bedroom and never letting her leave. Patience. Finish the office. “Good night, beautiful. Please text me when you get to the cottage.”
“I will. Night, Lachlan.”
I watch until her car disappears onto the street. Fishing my phone from my pocket, I text Washington.
Me: Thanks for offering to help. I’m off Tuesday and Thursday.
Washington: I’m available Wednesday and Thursday.
Me: I’ll see if I can switch with someone.
Washington: Sounds good. We can finalize tomorrow at the precinct.
I spend the next thirty minutes looking for someone to swap shifts with me. Craven does without a second thought. I consider working on the office a little, but it isn’t the right move. Attempting to finish the built-ins alone is stupidity of the highest order. I let Roxie outside and wait for her to return.
Eva: I’m here.
Me: Sweet dreams.
Eva: You too.
I smile, lock up, and finish off my latest book before turning in for the night.
At the crack of dawn, I roll out of my lonely bed and run a few miles on the treadmill before my shift. Today is a difficult day for my house. This year, I’ve taken the coward’s way out. I’m working. I can lie to myself and say it’s to allow the other dads to properly celebrate the special women in their lives, but it would be a straight-up lie. Until this year, Lilah didn’t seem to care or notice when Mother’s Day happened despite Alannah attending the tea with her.
I was surprised she didn’t blurt her feelings yesterday when Eva was with us. The poem with her handprint she created at school is sitting on the island, itching to be bestowed upon its rightful owner. Who? It should be Clare, but nothing about our life rises to the level of traditional. Frankly, Eva has done everything for both of us. It’s part of the reason I want her here… for Lilah. For us. No, I need her here for me. She makes my heart pound when she smiles. Her presence alone calms me to my core. I’m better with her beside me. Yet I can’t own it and say the words. Why?
The answer is simple. Terror. I’m terrified to believe I deserve the happiness we both seek. Eva and I desire the same things: a home, a family, and a dog or two. More than that, we want a love to grow old with. Every fiber of me is screaming “she’s the one,” and yet saying those words seems impossible… for both of us.
I scrub my hand down my face, catching a glimpse of the gift on the island. Peeking in on Lilah, I grab breakfast and wait for Lia to arrive.
“Morning, Lia.”
“Morning. Still sleeping?”
Roxie walks casually toward her, and Lia reaches down to pet her head.
“Yeah. I’ll be back later. Eva may arrive before me.”
Lia nods. “We’ve known each other since your first day in York Beach. Do you realize that when you mention her name, you relax instantly? Does she know how you feel?”
“Is it obvious to everyone?”
In comparison to Eva, Lia is tiny. She tilts her chin up to look at me fully. “Only people who know you well, which includes me. You’re noticeably happier, and so is Lilah. The mere fact that you allow Lilah to be with Eva one-on-one should be enough for you to let yourself fully own your feelings. Take it from someone Cupid smacked with an arrow when she least expected it. Not saying the words doesn’t make it any less true. The three words only make it official.”
I drop my head. “Thanks, Lia.”
“It’s my pleasure to push everyone I know toward coupledom. It’s pretty amazing.”
“I’ll keep it in mind, future Mrs. Blake.”
“Say hi to Finnegan for me.”
I laugh and reply, “Will do.” I move to the garage door, and Roxie hurries to my side without being called. “So ist brav, Roxie.”
With Lia’s words in addition to my own thoughts, I drive to work. She’s absolutely right. I love Eva in the deepest recesses of my soul, and she deserves to hear the words. Thankfully, I’m on desk duty today, and it’s blissfully uneventful.
On the way to my truck, I get a text from Eva.
Eva: Any ideas for dinner?
Her question is innocuous, but also something a woman, my better half, Lilah’s mother would ask of me each night. I want her to be that person. Even more than before, I need to finish the office, ironically, with her brother’s help. Rather than reply, I call her.
“Hi, beautiful. How was your day?”
“Fine. Yours?”
“Desk duty was boring. I’m leaving now. Want me to pick up something?”
“Sure. I can place an order at the inn. Does that work?”
“Yes. I’ll be there soon.” I end the call and exhale heavily. Blurting my feelings over the phone isn’t the right decision. I’ll show and share when I ask her to move in.
Eva: Food will be ready in twenty-five minutes.
Me: On it.
Resolved, I drive to the restaurant and wait for our order. After taking off Roxie’s gear with our dinner in hand, I cross the threshold but don’t see my ladies. Roxie guides me to them by following their sweet voices.
“Hi, Daddy. Miss Eva came over early.”
I set the food on the outdoor dining table. “Hi. I’ll be right back. Roxie needs to eat too.”
Lilah pops up from her chair and rushes past me. Her words, “I’ll do it,” trail behind her.
Without another thought, I slide my arm around Eva and draw her flush against me. Before I can manage to say hello, she fists my shirt and kisses me hard. Each time we kiss is like the first time but better. What I mean is, the sensations are the same but grow each time. To avoid getting carried away, I draw her lower lip between my teeth and pull back slightly. “Hey, beautiful. I’m happy you’re here.”
“Me too.”
Lilah’s voice carries through the French doors. “Sit. Good girl, Roxie.” After a few minutes, presumably for Roxie to eat, Lilah says, “Let’s go outside.” Soon, they appear at the door.
“Ready to eat, Lilah?” I ask my daughter.
“Did you get me ’roni and cheese, Daddy?”
I shrug. “Miss Eva ordered dinner.”
“Oh.” She turns to Eva expectantly.
“Macaroni and cheese is your favorite, huh?”
Lilah nods enthusiastically.
“Interesting. I like it with lobster.”
“Yuck! Is mine plain?”
Eva giggles. “Yes, yours doesn’t have lobster.”
“Yay!” Eva places the dish in front of my daughter, and she digs in.
I take a seat beside Eva across from Lilah. Without prompting, Eva ordered my favorite dish from the menu as well. We eat mostly in silence.
When Lilah finishes, she slides off her chair and stands beside me. If she intends to whisper, she fails miserably. “Can I get the gift now?”
“Sure.”
Eva frowns, and Lilah rushes away from the table. With a flourish she returns with the gift bag from the island.
“Miss Eva, I made this for you.” Lilah shoves it toward Eva.
Eva’s gaze meets mine, and I drop my head slightly. With precision, she removes the paper. Emotion wells up within her. It’s clear at least to me by the way she inhales deeply and holds it before releasing the breath slowly.
“Will you read it to me?” she asks.
“Sure.” Lilah takes the paper and stands before Eva as if she’s giving a presentation. “I’m growing like a flower with all your love and care. All your hugs and kisses and good times that we share. I’m growing like a flower. We know that this is true, so I made this picture to say I love you.”
“It’s beautiful. I love you, too, Lilah.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
A bashful smile grows on her face. “Can I ask one more thing?”
Eva’s eyes meet mine again. I nod to share I know what her plan is. Ideally, I convey the same to her.
“Of course. Ask away.”
“Will you be my mom?” She anxiously awaits an answer.
“It would be my honor.”
As if the world will continue infinitely, Lilah throws her arms around Eva and kisses her cheek.
After releasing Eva, Lilah asks exuberantly, “Daddy, did you hear?”
“Yeah, I heard.”
“I’m so happy,” she exclaims and carries her dish to the trash with Roxie padding behind her.
Eva focuses on my face and asks, “How long have you known she was waiting to share?”
“A week or so. It needed to come from her this time, no heads-up.”
“I appreciate it.”
We clear the table and hang out until Lilah turns in for the night.