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I head back to the kitchen after the gifts with Jules and my mom. My mom hasn’t said much to me, yet. I get the feeling she doesn’t know what to say. Honestly, neither do I, but the fact that she’s here, helping me prepare cake and ice cream for her granddaughter is a giant step in the right direction.
“This is a lovely party,” my mom starts. I can tell it’s just a bid for conversation, so I set down the gifts I was carrying and turn to face her.
“Can we just skip the weirdness and clear the air?”
My mother looks surprised, but there’s a trace of respect in her eyes that makes me stand with a little more confidence. “I was hurt, Isabella, that you left. You could've talked to me. I could’ve been there through the last seven years of my grandaughter’s life. Of your life. You are still my little girl, Izzy.”
“Remember cousin Amanda? I do… and I couldn’t stand the thought of you treating me the way everyone treated her. I wanted to make something of myself, so that no one would have any room to talk.”
My mother shakes her head. “You’ve always been so stubborn. Just like your father. You did good, Izzy,” says my mother. “We’re proud of you.”
I never actually realized that this was what I’ve been waiting to hear all these years. Not until she said it.
“Thanks, Mom,” I say.
When I call everyone for cake and ice cream I feel like the world has lifted from my shoulders, maybe I’ll make a wish, too, when Rory blows out the candles, because for the first time in a long time, it feels like it just might come true.
CHAPTER 22
Nathan
Rory loved all of her gifts, but the one I’m most proud of is the invitation to move in with me half of the time. Unlike the puppy, I did clear that one with Izzy, and we agreed to let Rory design her room however she likes.
What Izzy doesn’t know, is I fully intend that invitation to be for both of them, and for it to become a full-time thing as soon as possible.
After gifts wrap up, the kids go back to playing in the pool and Izzy heads inside with her mother and Jules. I’m about to follow them, just in case Izzy needs me, but I’m stopped by Mr. Rossi whose name is David, but who I have and always will think of as Mr. Rossi
“Nathan, come have a drink with us!” He waves me over to where he and Evan are sitting out by the pool, away from the hustle and bustle of the bouncy house.
I cautiously sit, unsure how this man feels about me now that he knows that I’m the reason his daughter took off years ago. “Are you enjoying the party?”
He contemplates his drink. “I am. I’m glad to have finally been invited.” He eyes his son like there will be a longer conversation there, later. He turns to me, next. “I’m not going to bullshit you Nathan, my wife and I were hurt when we found out about all of this. That you and Isabella didn’t trust us with the truth is, well, you’re a father now… imagine if it were Rory.”
My grip tightens on my beer enough that if it were a can it would’ve crumbled. “It won’t be Rory.” I consider reminding him that I didn’t know, but that kind of feels like blame-shifting. I don’t want to put it all on Izzy, because she deserves nothing but respect for how well she handled it all. Could she have done some things differently? Sure. But she was obviously scared enough to run from everything familiar in the world. I can’t imagine what that must’ve been like. I’ve never been that afraid of anything–until the moment I looked into my daughter’s eyes awaiting her approval.
He grins. “Are you planning to stick around, then?”
“Of course,” I say automatically. “I’m planning to make an honest woman out of Izzy… if she will ever let me.”
He nods. “Good. We’ve missed you, Nathan, and Izzy, too, obviously. If there’s one thing I know about my daughter, it’s that she can’t be told what to do. She has to come to decisions on her own terms. I wish you luck, Son.” He holds out a hand to shake mine, and it’s so much more than just a handshake, but neither of us acknowledges that with words.
We clean up the party and everyone goes home. Izzy hasn’t bolted for the door, which is exciting. She even lets Rory sleep on the couch, where she tucks her in with Murphy and their new puppy.
It all seems too easy. Too simple. Too perfect to be real and I say as much to Izzy as we make our way to my bedroom.
She perches on the edge of the bed and says, “I’m tired of second-guessing myself and, you, and life. I’m tired of questioning and overthinking. For the first time in my life, all I want to do is let go… and enjoy the ride.”
Is she saying what I think she’s saying? “Izzy?”
She knows me so well, perhaps she’s always known me, always watched and observed, and I just never took the time to realize it. Just my saying her name is all she needs. In a single stride, stands toe to toe with me and pulls me against her.
I claim her lips, my arms cradling her protectively… and my mind goes blank.
My mind may be blank, but my body catches fire. Her hands find the edge of my shirt and slip beneath it. Her nails tickle my skin as she explores my abs.
“Stay.” My voice shakes as her hands trail down toward my waistband.
“Stay the night?” She asks coyly.
