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“What would that solve?” I ask.

“She should be paying child support,” he points out.

“I don’t need her money.”

“That isn’t the point, Dean,” Knox says.

“I know.” I release a tired breath. “But a court order might make her send money. It won’t make her call Aspen because she actually wants to.”

Knox falls silent.

That’s the part I can’t fix.

I can give Aspen everything she needs. A home. A family. More love than she knows what to do with.

But I can’t force Courtney to show up.

“I’m sorry, man,” Knox says quietly.

“It is what it is,” I reply.

It isn’t.

But I don’t have time to pull that shit apart in the middle of the garage.

“Call me if you need anything,” I tell him, grabbing my keys.

“We’ll be fine,” Knox assures me.

I clap him on the shoulder and head toward reception. Rory is speaking on the phone, so I knock against the glass and wave goodbye.

She lifts one hand in response without interrupting the call.

“Oh, and Dean?” Knox calls from behind me.

I turn around. “What?”

“If you happen to see Blair again, try not to stare at her like a fucking creep,” he suggests, grinning. “Just ask her out. It works a lot better.”

“I’m not asking her out,” I reply.

“Why not?” Knox asks.

“Because I’m not interested.”

Knox’s grin widens. “You worked on her car all weekend.”

“She needed it,” I argue.

“You washed it,” he adds.

“It was dirty,” I reply.

“And you remembered her name after meeting her once,” Knox continues.

“Fuck off, Knox.”

He laughs as I give him the finger and walk outside.