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Her voice trailed off, and her eyes slid down.

I moved one hand to lift her chin. “Because...?”

“Because I’m falling for you all over again. I don’t see how I could ever get back up if this goes wrong.”

“You don’t have to worry, because I’ve fallen for you, Liv. Then. Now. Forever.”

She lifted her chin, searching for my lips, and I met her kiss. She felt like coming home.

We spun around the dance floor for what could have been hours or minutes, singing along to the songs, talking about life and Maya, her birthday party, that damn dog that preferred my shoelaces to any of the toys we bought.

Then the music changed to “Copperhead Road,” and Liv tossed her head back, laughing. “We have to do this one!”

“On it!” Rhett said beside me, Maya holding his hand and Dad trailing behind them.

Liv’s jaw dropped. “You’re here?!” She picked my daughter up and held her tight, spinning her around. As they spun, she got a full view of everyone coming into the prom. My brothers, all her siblings and wives and even her nieces and nephews in their Sunday best. Then Liv looked at me. “You invited everyone here?”

“You didn’t think we could have a prom with just us two, did you?” I asked her over the building music. “This... it’s bigger than us.”

She smiled back at me and held my hand. “Then dance with us.”

We all danced to “Copperhead Road,” then the “Chicken Dance” and even “Footloose.” It was so fun watching Liv, Henrietta, and Della try to teach Maya all the moves.

Then Della took over the microphone again and said, “Now it’s time for a father-daughter dance! Liv and Jack, Maya and Fletcher, enjoy a song together, just for you.”

“My Little Girl” by Tim McGraw played over the speakers, and Maya came running up to me, her tulle dress flaring behind her with her speed. When she jumped in my arms, I almost fell over with the force, but then I held her, spinning in a circle as the music played.

“I’m so happy to have this dance with you,” I said, holding her and swaying to the music.

“You too, Daddy. Prom is so fun. Can we do this next weekend too?”

I chuckled. “I already pulled in all my favors for tonight, but when you’re in high school, you’ll have all sorts of dances to go to, just like this.”

“Will you come with me?” she asked.

I smiled, holding her just a little tighter. “I hope you’ll still say that when you’re older.”

“I’ll still be me,” she said like I’d done something silly.

“You will be, and just like this song, you’llalwaysbe my little girl.”

53

Liv

Dad and I watched Fletcher and Maya dancing together so sweetly. My dad was never a man of many words, but he was always there for me, whether it was my first time falling off a horse or those times in community college when he loaned me money because a roommate bailed on rent.

“Fletcher’s a good man,” Dad said.

I looked back up at my dad, just a few inches taller than me. “He is,” I agreed.

“Someday, he’ll be dancing with a room full of your children,” Dad said.

My heart felt like it was splitting, because I’d always wanted to have a big family, just like mine. “Sounds like a dream,” I said, but it wasn’t in my cards. Not children, and not marriage. And the realization was wearing on me.

Because Fletcher was willing to do all of this for me, willing to tell me he loved me forever, but not make it official. I couldn’t help feeling like I was getting everything I ever wanted, but in a shade of gray.

The music faded to a close, and Dad hugged me tight. “That’s our cue to head home.”