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“Thanks, Dad. I don’t have an international plan, so I can’t make phone calls.”

“Where are you now then?”

“I got a hotel room for the night. I needed a break from the crew and to have my thoughts as my own for the day.”

“It’s good to see you’re putting yourself first, at least for today.”

“I’m going to try to do more of that when I can. That’s not as often as I need, but I’ll make do. Hearing your voice has done wonders. Knowing you…” I couldn’t finish.

“I would never think that of you. It kills me you thought that. I love you, Remy. More than anything. Even though you’re a man now, you’re still the most important person in the world to me.”

“I love you too, Dad. I should have…”

“But you reached out now, and that’s all that matters.”

How he knew what I was going to say, I had no idea. I wish I could blink my eyes and be standing in his yard in Florida.

He yawned loudly. Looking at the clock, I realized we’d been on the phone for almost two hours talking and catching up on everything. It was some of the hardest and best hours of my life.

“I should let you get some sleep.”

“I don’t mind. I’d lose as much sleep as needed to know you’re okay.”

“I am, or I will be, and I promise to keep in touch. After the next charter, I should have another day off. In the meantime, we can email if you want.”

“Of course, I do. I finally have my son back.”

Damn, he was killing me.

“Grab a paper and pen, and I’ll give you my email. I looked when I got here, and this damn hotel room doesn’t have a pad of paper, or I’d write yours down. Once you email me, I’ll have yours. We do have Wi-Fi on the boat, so there’s that.”

After a few more minutes of me telling my dad I’d call him on my next break, which would probably be in a week, we got off the phone. Getting up, I walked back out to the balcony and sat in one of the chairs as I watched the sunset.

My heart was lighter after I hung up. I knew it would still be hard to face Tyler’s parents and Damon’s wife and child, but it wouldn’t be as hard as it was to reach out to my dad. I also knew they might not be as forgiving as my dad, but I’d take that chance. I knew I needed to face my demons head-on from here on out. And maybe, just maybe, I’d open up a little bit to Scout while I was still here.

Taking my dad’s advice, I was going to start taking care of myself the way I needed to. Next, I’d live the life I deserved just like I’d told Stella to do.

12

Stella

6 months later

“Were you checking out my husband?”Lexie asked as I dried away the small amount of drool that had formed in the corner of my mouth.

I felt bad because Ryder was such a sweetheart, but I couldn’t help myself from ogling him. “It’s hard not to when first he pops out those dimples of his, and then he took off his shirt.” I held my hands up, hoping it didn’t offend her. “I’m only doing what any warm-blooded woman would do.”

“Trust me, I get it. Those dimples get me every time. But I think it’s time we get you a man of your own or at least someone to keep your bed warm.”

“And how is that supposed to happen when I’m gone all the damn time or writing?” I asked as I took the lounger next to hers.

Lexie shrugged. “At least get laid. How long has it been since that guy you told me about?”

“Remy? Almost a year now. Ten months is too long to go without sex, but I know he ruined me for all other guys.”

“Unless you find a man out there who’s better than him,” she smirked. “Keep thinking positive, and maybe one will drop out of the sky.”

“Or appear out of thin air. Please, tell me how I’m supposed to find a man who’s good in bed. Do I get references from his previous bed partners after he tells me what he excels at?”