Page 145 of His Surrender

I don’t even have to think. “Happier than I’ve ever been.”

“Does he treat you well?”

I close my eyes. “He treats me better than I ever imagined someone could.” I laugh. “Sometimes, more than I want him to.”

“What does that mean?”

“He lets me win arguments.”

Dad snorts. “Now I know you’re lying.”

“I swear. He actually asks what I think. He trusts me.” My smile softens. “He makes me feel like I matter.”

“That’s all I needed to know,” Dad replies.

Tears prick unexpectedly behind my eyes. “Really?”

“Really.”

“I trusted Steven when he said Dean needed help. I trust my daughter to know who deserves her heart.”

My throat tightens. “I’m crazy about him.”

“I knew there must’ve been a reason you were smiling every time we video-chatted with you. I knew it was a guy,” Dad brags.

“You thought she was smiling because she liked New York,” Mom cuts in.

“I can have two correct thoughts.”

Their playful bickering makes me laugh through the tears gathering in my eyes.

“So,” Mom says, “when do we finally get to see the two of you together?”

“Oh gosh. There will probably be pictures from this weekend.”

“Oh, I can’t wait,” Mom says enthusiastically.

Dad clears his throat dramatically. “I can.”

Mom laughs. “You’re impossible.”

“I’m still adjusting.”

“To what?” I ask.

“The little girl who used to chase lightning bugs in my backyard is dating Steven Ledger’s son.”

I smile. “When you say it like that … it sounds strange.”

“Tell Dean something for me.”

My heart skips. “What?”

“Tell him he’s a lucky guy.”

I blink. “That’s it?”

“That’s it.” A beat passes before he adds with a chuckle, “And tell him not to get too comfortable.”