Page 83 of Parentmoon

I scoff, looking back at her. “Now you’re just being evil.”

“Why?” Keli’s expression is sincere. “Clearly Daddy likes you. We heard you two giggling last night. He’s always sneaking touches and kisses.”

I lick my lips, as if tasting his kiss from this morning.

While Keli and I are both adult women, it’s still awkward discussing her father as my lover.

“Your dad is a tactile man.” He likes to touch. “And he’d probably disagree on the giggling.” I arch a brow at Keli who smiles back at me to agree. Giggling would not describe Dallas’s laughter. The rumble is more like a rushing river that surprisingly calms you.

“Do you not like Daddy?” Keli’s tone is not defensive, but the tightening of her shoulders suggests she’s preparing to battle in favor of him.

“I’ve really enjoyed getting to know your dad better these past few days. He’s a wonderful man.”

He’s been generous with his attention and considerate of my feelings, along with extremely satisfying in the sex department.

Keli wrinkles her nose. My comment is like suggesting someone has a good personality to disguise your opinion about his looks. I sound like I’m going to break up with Dallas when it’s the last thing I want. However, breaking up implies we were officially together, which we are not.

“Michael doesn’t want you to be alone.”

“And your dad and I know what’s happening here. Only here. He lives in Texas, Keli. I live in Chicago.”

“You could do the long-distance thing.”

I’m shaking my head before she finishes the sentence. “I’ve been alone long enough to know that if a man ever came into my life again, I’d want him all-in, and that means living in the same zip code.”

“I still think you and Daddy could work.” Keli peers down at her nails, blowing on them once more. “But I see you’re not interested in more, so I’ll let it rest.”

I open my mouth to argue that I do want more from her father, then I realize how that might sound. Clamping my lips shut, I accept defeat. My love life isn’t something I want to discuss with my future daughter-in-law anyway, even if I do adore her.

Especially when that love life involves how much I adore her father.

+ + +

The remainder of the day passes as most of my days have with sunshine and pool time, and too much rum punch. Michael and Dallas return from fishing with stories but no picture proof that Dallas caught a tarpon.

“No photo means it didn’t happen,” I tease.

Dallas only chuckles.

At dinner, we sit among the other guests, only we’re seated at a table for the four of us. There’s no wedding rehearsal for Michael and Keli. Michael will direct the priest where to go in the morning, and the priest will lead the rest of the ceremony.

“I have a room for Keli and me tonight,” Dallas says at dinner.

“What?” Michael and Keli say in unison.

“Although I already know the status of you and my daughter’s relationship—” Dallas holds up a hand when Michael’s mouth falls open to further protest. “I don’t need particulars. However, I do want this tradition honored. You will not see your bride after midnight. I thought about putting the girls in a room together, but tonight is my last night with my daughter.”

Keli reaches for her dad’s forearm and Dallas lifts her hand, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. He’s so sweet as a father. Watching him like this, I envision him crouched before a younger Keli, pinky-promising her things like a new bike and all his love. The fact he didn’t give Keli a car at sixteen says something about his character as well. He didn’t spoil her in every aspect of her life.

“Michael, you and Jo can have the house. Gives you a last night together as well.”

“Wouldn’t you rather Michael and I take a room? It’s your house,” I address Dallas who is already shaking his head.

“You’re already comfortable there. I don’t want you to move.”

My mouth falls open, ready to protest until I catch Keli watching me. Then I close my lips. “That’s very generous of you, Dallas. Thank you.”

“Anything for you, darlin’.” He doesn’t bat an eye or even notice the heat creeping over my face. His decision is final, and he takes a sip of his drink while Keli continues to stare at me. When I catch her eyes across the table, she nods toward her father and mouths to me: Good together.