35. Wren

Like a hawk, Avery tracked her father’s movements until he released me and followed her inside.

“You were right to call me out for acting like a jerk.” My father watched me, his hands in his pockets.

I crossed my arms over my chest.

“The last thing I want is for you to feel like the things we do for you are motivated by a need to control you.”

I cocked a brow.

His shoulders slumped and his head fell. “That night at the bridal shower was not my best moment. I’m sorry about that. But I know Tom too well.”

“Or not well enough,” I countered. “The way he understands me. The way he makes me feel?—”

“I get it.” He waved me off. “I don’t want the details. Please. But the rigid man I know, the one who lives the most ordered life, bought a dog for you. I get it.”

I chuckled. Caffrey had added some chaos to Tom’s life, sure. But he also made the man laugh. Tom might complain about every lick to his face, but his body relaxed when he snuggled with the puppy.

“I think Tom needed a little chaos in his life.”

“Then you’re perfect for him,” my dad joked. “Come on, let’s go in.”

We slipped inside and headed to our seats. I moved around the outside of the mass of family and friends who had gathered around the dance floor as a Steven Curtis Chapman song played.

Of course Tom and Avery were dancing to “Cinderella.” There wasn’t a better song for this moment. Six months ago, Avery had jokingly asked Tom to practice dancing with her, and she’d picked this song. Being the grump he was, most would assume he’d refuse. But most would be wrong. Tom was the kind of dad who’d do anything for his child, including dance in the middle of his living room. Even my unemotional self had teared up at the sight.

I dropped into my chair at the head table and watched them as they shifted away from the crowd and moved closer. Avery’s eyes met mine for one second, but she looked away quickly, like she’d done all day. Like she couldn’t stand to look at me.

Where they were dancing now, I could see Tom. He was focused on his daughter, but I could see his lips and could just make out what he was saying.

“Avy, for almost thirty years, it’s been you and me. I’m so proud of the woman you are. I wouldn’t change a single moment.”

Avery tipped her head, but I couldn’t hear her response.

“I’m happy you found Chris. The guy’s everything you deserve. And this moment is so much easier knowing that you’re in the right place. That you found your person.”

He swallowed and then blinked. And she shook her head.

“Change is inevitable. And I want us to change together. Grow into a relationship between two adults, instead of a kid and her dad.” He paused for two beats before he went on. “I never want to hurt you. I just want a chance at being happy too.”

They spun away, and I couldn’t hear more.

I couldn’t stay. I pushed to my feet and left the room. It hurt, knowing that all our relationships had changed. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. My being with Tom wasn’t supposed to mess up his relationship with his daughter, and it wasn’t supposed to cost me my best friend .

In twenty seconds, I was out the door and in the lobby. But it wasn’t enough. I needed air. As I pushed out into the cold night air, the chill bit at my bare skin.

With my arms wrapped around myself, I rubbed my arms, wishing I could slip into Tom’s jacket but unwilling to go back in for it. Around me, flurries fell gently. Tom was sure Avery would get over it, but I might need to come to terms with the idea that she wouldn’t. That I’d have to go on with the rest of my life without my best friend.

I swallowed down that idea, the burn of it scorching my throat.

“You must really be miserable in there if you’re willing to hang out in the cold.”

I gasped at the sound of my best friend’s voice. “Avery.” I blinked. “You shouldn’t be out here.”

Her eyes were shiny with tears as she stepped up next to me and wrapped an arm around my waist. Always shorter than me, her head barely came up to my shoulder.

“I do need to be out here. I have to apologize to my best friend.”

“You don’t?—”

“I’ve been awful.”

A long sigh escaped me, and I slumped against her. “No, I should have talked to you. I’m the one who’s sorry.”

She tipped her head back and made eye contact. “I didn’t give you a chance to talk. My mother has pointed out that you and dad are two of my favorite people. And Jana reminded me a dozen times that we’ve both wanted you to find a man.”

“It wasn’t in my ten-year plan,” I reminded her.

“Probably because I refused to let you even think about my dad that way.”

She was wrong about that. I’d thought about him plenty.

Her body stiffened and her blue eyes blazed. “Please don’t correct me. Those fun conversations are now between you and Jana.”

She took a deep breath. “You love my dad.”

My eyes flitted shut as I nodded. “I can’t apologize for that.”

“You don’t have to.”

My eyes popped open and my heart skipped.

“Something Dad said shook me.” Her arm tightened around my waist. “When I was a kid, he put all his focus into baseball and making sure I was happy. On making sure I was good. And now I’m moving on and happy. So now he should get that chance too.” She took a breath. “I want that for him. And you.” She cleared her throat. “So I’m sorry I was a bitch. I’m sorry I tried to write off something that was important to you. And I’m sorry I didn’t listen. I wish—” Her voice cracked. She blinked and cleared her throat. “I wish I could go back to last week and try again. But neither of you have ever been relationship people.” She swallowed. “The idea of a fling between you two wrecking things, leaving me to pick sides, scared me. And I reacted badly.”

From that perspective, I understood where she was coming from. “We wanted to sit down and talk. Give you a chance to see us together.”

“I’ve seen it all day.” She squeezed me again. “I’m sorry I didn’t see it sooner.”

“I forgive you.”

“Can we go inside? There is something I’d really like you to take care of for me.”

I nodded and held the door open for her. “I’ll do anything. What do you need?”

A small smile graced her lips as she brushed past me. “Not something to do, it’s something to take care of.”

Confused by her statement, all I could do was follow her. Inside, two tall, broad men in matching tuxes waited on us. Chris’s eyes found Avery’s instantly, but Tom stood with his arms crossed, his focus intent on the two of us.

“I’m not going to be around as much, so I could really use someone to take care of Dad.” She smiled at me, blinking back the moisture in her eyes. “And I can’t think of anyone better to do it.”

Eyes misting over, I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “Thank you.”

She threw her arms around me. “I always thought of you as family, a sister. I’ll have to adjust to stepmom, I guess.”

With a watery laugh, I pulled back and wiped at my eyes .

Chris cleared his throat. “Let’s give these two a minute. Come dance with me, wifey.”

“I love the sound of that.” She gave her father a quick kiss on the cheek, then let her husband drag her back to their party.

“So.” I stepped toward Tom.

“I take it she gave you her blessing?” His lips pulled up in the corners.

“You did it.” I stepped closer, and when he snaked an arm around my waist and pulled me in, I went willingly. “You got everyone on board.”

“I will move any mountain that stands in the way of your happiness, Wren. You can always count on that.” He pulled back and grasped my hands. “Now let’s go dance.”

I scoffed. “I thought you didn’t dance, Daddy Wilson.”

“There is not much I wouldn’t do for you baby girl. Plus, it’s time for the entire world to find out that you’re mine.”

Everyone finding out that I was his? Nothing sounded better than that.