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Pippa mirrored his body language, standing tall again. “Like… you’re not over Shellie?”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying. It’s been long enough. I’ve grieved and I know she will always hold a special place in my heart. I will never forget her. But what if I’m not ready to fall in love again? What if I start comparing the next person with Shellie?”
“Oh,” she murmured.
“Yeah.”
“Well, I guess you’re never going to know if you don’t try. When you think about…” she glanced at Molly. “Her. Do youfeelanything? Meaning do you feel anything similar to Shellie?”
He grimaced. “I’m trying really hard not to compare the two of them.”
“Right. That’s actually really sweet.”
Luke scowled at his sister. “Oh, so now you want to be supportive.”
“Well, in my defense, I’ve known she’s had a crush on you since the dawn of time. And I’ve also seen you ignore her when she’s practically thrown herself at you.”
His scowl deepened. “That’s exactly my point. You knew and you didn’t say anything.”
She gasped and lunged forward to smack his arm. “You had to be blind not to see it. I still don’t know if I believe that youdidn’tknow.”
“Like I said, I’m an idiot.”
They stared at one another for a few moments and then Pippa’s face broke into a smile and so did his.
“Well, then, I guess I’m just up a creek, aren’t I?”
“Not necessarily.” Pippa shifted until she leaned against the counter. “You think you’re not ready to fall in love. I think that’s a sign you are.”
“That doesn’t make a lick of sense,” Luke muttered.
“Think about it. If you’re worried that you’re doing something wrong, that’s an indication that you’re aware. I’d be more worried if you weren’t hesitating at all. If you think that you’re ready to find love again, then go for it. But do it for the right reasons. From the sound of it, you’re not jumping into something just because you can. You’ve thought this out and you’re standing in your own way.”
Luke gaped at his sister. Was she actually suggesting what he thought she was suggesting? “You’re not telling me to go for it, are you?”
“Maybe I am. Maybe I’m not. All I know is that Allie… she’s in deep. And if you’re not serious, then stay away. But if you are…” Pippa sighed again. “Then I think you two would make each other happy.”
He peered at her, unable or unwilling to hope she was right. So much good could come out of him taking this chance. He could find happiness and fulfillment again. Molly would have someone to look up to who would help him raise her the way it should have been done in the beginning.
But allowing himself to hand over his heart would also open himself up to more pain. Nothing in this life was for certain. It was easier just to hold tight to the ones he loved and the ones he had rather than allow for the opportunity to get hurt again. He’d lost Shellie. Their life together had been too short.
His gaze shifted to his daughter. In this situation, the pros would outweigh the cons. If he could muster the courage to give his heart over to someone new, he might just come out on top.
“So…” Pippa murmured. “Whatcha gonna do?”
“I don’t know.”
A slow smile spread across her face. “Yeah, you do.”
“No, I don’t,” he countered. “There are too many things to think about.”
“There’s only one that matters.”
He didn’t have to ask her what she was referring to. Before he had a chance to say it himself, Pippa continued.
“Do you think she’s worth the risk?”
There was no denying he had the answer without even thinking about it.
