He hitches pinkies with me, offering me a small smile. “You know I’m the one who taught you how to promise this way, right?”
“I remember. I was four and you were promising me that you’d be home for my birthday even though you were on tour.”
“You really remember that?” His eyes gleam with hope.
“Of course I remember. Just like I remember you never broke one single promise. You’re an awesome dad. Always have been.” I shoot him a cocky smirk. “That’s why I turned out so awesome.”
“You did turn out pretty freakin’ awesome, if I do say so myself.” He returns his attention to the menu, trying to discreetly wipe the tears from his eyes.
I really am going to miss him—miss everyone.
I glance at Kale and Everson freaking out over of a buttload of tickets pouring out of a machine, at Fiona and Ethan playing the arcades, and at my mom and Aunt Lila at the bar, sipping on wine, and laughing about something.
I smile to myself at how happy they all look.
Mission of Fun accomplished.
As I look back to my dad, I note all the tables around us are empty and a thought occurs to me. “Did you ask the owner if we could have this place to ourselves for the day?”
“I might have.” He smiles as he reads over the menu.
“Nice job, daddy-o. I’m sure everyone will appreciate the down time.”
But there’s one thing missing from this picture of fun. Something I think I need to go check on.
“I’ll be right back.” I jump to my feet and wink at him. “Order me a beer while I’m gone.”
My dad just shakes his head and mutters, “So much like me.”
I wind past the tables and burst into the men’s room.
Ayden is leaning against the tile wall with his head tipped back, his gaze locked on the ceiling. He jumps at my sudden appearance, his eyes popping wide. “Holy shit, you scared me.”
“No more sulking,” I warn, aiming a finger at him. “You promised me if no one blamed you that you’d let it go.”
“I wasn’t sulking,” he tries to assure me. “I was just thinking.”
“About what?”
“About . . .” He drags his fingers through his hair and puffs out a breath. “About us.”
My expression fizzles to a frown. “It’s never a good sign when someone is over analyzing their relationship.”
“No, it’s a good thing this time. I swear.” He strides toward me, stopping only inches away, panic gleaming in his eyes. “I don’t want to be a selfish person, but I can’t stop myself from wanting to be with you. When I saw that letter . . . I realized how easily I could lose you and how much it’d kill me if it happened.”
I thread my fingers through his. “Then don’t lose me. Be with me.”
“It’s not that simple.” He lets out a frustrated breath. “Every time something happens, I can’t help but worry that something bad’s going to happen to you and it’ll be my fault.”
“Nothing’s going to happen to me,” I press.
“You don’t know that for sure,” he mutters.
“Okay, you know what, I don’t.” I tug on his arm, pulling him closer to me. “But something bad could happen at any moment, even while we’re standing here. Like the roof could cave in and crush me. That wouldn’t be your fault, and you can’t control it from not happening.”
“Why would the roof cave in?” he questions with a trace of a ghost smile.
I give a half shrug. “I don’t know, maybe that foul stench is rotting it away.”
He chuckles but then his mood nosedives. “I get your point, but I don’t think you’re getting mine.”
“Okay . . .” I study him closely. “Could you explain it to me then, because apparently, my mind-reading skills are a little wonky right now.”
“You were right about what you said . . . That no one smiles anymore. Not even you.”
“I smile.” I grin just to prove my point.
“But not as much as you used to.”
“Ayden, that’s not your fault—”
He places his finger to my lips, shushing me. “I’m not saying it’s my fault. I’m just saying that you deserve to smile more, which I know you will when you’re on the tour. In fact, I bet you’ll smile so much you’ll even get Sage to join in.” He lowers his hand, tracing his fingers down my chin, to my neck, and the collar of my shirt. Goose bumps sprout across my skin, even though it’s a hundred degrees in here. “But I want to be there to see you smile. I want to be the one smiling with you.”