Page 166

“Thank you, Cardez.” She set the last dish down and took her seat.

We bowed our heads as Walter blessed the food

“After four months of dating, you just knew he was the one?” Regina asked as she added some potatoes to her plate.

Belle took a sip of her lemonade. “Sometimes you just know. Life has a funny way of working out.”

“Made sure it worked out with the one with deep pockets.”

“You taught me well, mother.” Belle smiled tightly.

Walter closed his eyes and shook his head like this was a conversation he’d heard between the two women before.

I offered to help Regina clear the table while Belle and Walter watched TV in the living room.

I carried the last of the dishes into the kitchen while Regina loaded the dishwasher.

“Why shouldn’t I call bullshit on you and my daughter’s engagement?” she asked as she rinsed a plate. She’d finally dropped the good wife act she’d been putting on all evening.

“It’s genuine,” I replied.

“I’m sure Belle’s told you that Walter’s my fourth husband.”

I nodded as I watched her dry her hands on a kitchen towel.

“Every one of my husbands gave me what I needed at the time. Especially as a single mother. But I’d be lying if I said I ever knew what I was walking into with them.” She went to the fridge and took out the wine to refill her glass. “Belle has always been determined not to become me. That girl loves her independence. I know a little about what she’s done to get it.”

She must’ve seen the expression on my face. “I don’t know everything, but I know enough. And by the look on your face, you know about it too. That wouldn’t have anything to do with this ‘whirlwind’ romance between you two, would it?”

“I love her,” I answered honestly. “I could say the obvious. She's smart and funny. But what I love is that Belle doesn’t need me. She could walk out tomorrow and be fine on her own. Your daughter made me earn her love. I know four months isn’t long, but trust me, I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”

It was the truth, even if the way this all came together wasn’t conventional.

“I don’t want her spending her life performing the way I’ve done.”

“She doesn’t have to do that with me.”

“Does she know that?”

I thought about what Belle had told me on the roof and how far we’d come since then to reach a place where neither of us had to perform.

“We’re not perfect, but I’m not asking her to be anything other than herself.”

Regina sipped her wine. Something in her posture eased slightly. “I believe you. Which is crazy coming from me, because I’ve never believed shit a man says.”

“Not even Walter?”

“Especially not that one.”

Belle changed and went up to the rooftop deck when we got home. I turned on the lights and followed her out.

The air had that perfect late fall bite to it, cool enough to wear a hoodie, but not cold enough to keep either of us inside. She was on one of the lounge chairs looking at the river. I tapped her to get up and pulled her into my lap.

“You were quiet at dinner,” I said, rubbing her arms.

She straddled me and lay against my chest. “I think my mom likes you.”

“She asked me if the wedding was a cover up for something bigger.”