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“It was as bad as you’d expect,” I say. “She was apologetic, and she wants to be back in my life.”

Harry whistles under his breath.

“What I don’t get,” I continue, turning to my dad, “is why you never told me she tried to reach out years ago. You told her not to, didn’t you?”

He looks down, ashamed. “I did.”

“Why?” I demand, my voice cracking.

“Because I didn’t want her to hurt you again. You were just starting to heal, Jack. I thought I was protecting you. And it was in the throes of all your scandals and all the women…” He shakes his head. “I knew you were trying to get her attention even though you’d never admit it. It was a bad time.”

I scrub my face. “I genuinely understand, Dad. But she’s here now. There’ll never be a good time for this.”

He sighs. “Now that there are no more secrets between us, it’ll be best to let you know that Megan reached out to me yesterday,” he said. “She never told me she met with you, but she requested that the three of us meet and have a sit-down.”

“What did you say?”

“That it’s up to you.”

“Good. ’Cause I’m not ready to see her again. Not yet.”

He nods. “That’s fair. Do things at your own pace. Don’t let anyone rush you—not even her.”

I let out a long breath, some weight lifting off my chest. For all his faults, my dad’s always been steady when it matters.

After a moment, I lean back and take a deep breath. Despite all the problems around me with my mom, there’s still one major issue on my mind.

“I’m in love.”

Both their heads snap toward me.

“What?” Harry blurts.

My father just blinks. “With who?”

“Mia,” I say, and the name alone makes my heart thud in my chest. “Her name is Mia. I’m in love with Mia.”

Harry’s eyes widen. “Mia, Mia? PR Mia?”

“She’s a matchmaker, idiot. Not PR, but yeah, that’s her.”

My dad chuckles. “Didn’t see that coming. Have you told her?”

“No. She’s in Bardstown,” I say, shoulders slumping again. “I messed up, and she left. I don’t know what to do.”

I explain everything that happened, and Harry whistles. “Well, I don’t know what to say. This sounds serious, and I’ve never had a serious relationship.” He shrugs.

I roll my eyes. “I literally came here to seek your advice.”

“Wrong topic.”

“I’m old,” my father butts in. “But I know one or two things. Follow your heart. Just don’t mess it up more than you already have. The truth truly will set you free.”

“Dad, that’s not very helpful. What exactly can I do?”

“No, I can’t help with that, son. You’ll have to figure it out on your own.”

The sun’s starting to set by the time I leave my dad’s place.