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Leo blinks down at me. “Someone who means the world to me, but sometimes it’s better than the truth.”

I gasp when he places a light kiss on my forehead. Doc freezes for a second before straightening, as if he had done it without thinking. Rounding the table, he kisses the top of Riley’s head and takes his own seat.

Seeing the server approach, Leo clears his throat. “What would you ladies like?”

“Spaghetti meatballs, please,” Riley rushes.

Biting my lip, I try not to smile at the way she says spaghetti. Why is this girl so fucking cute?

“Me too, please.”

“Make that three. Thank you,” he orders, closing his menu and handing it to the server. “Would you like wine?” He turns to me.

“No, thank you.”

“Three waters, please.”

“Great. I’ll be right back with your drinks.”

“When Riley was younger, she struggled to say spaghetti. After a while, ‘speti’ kind of stuck,” Leonard explains.

The loving look he gives his daughter melts my heart.

“She’s perfect,” I say, repeating my words from earlier.

“She is,” he agrees. Our gaze meets while the warmth of his hand settles on top of mine. I curse my heated cheeks and turn toward Riley, but not before catching sight of Doc’s smirk.

Maybe this isn’t one-sided after all.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Leonard

The sound of giggling warms my heart. My cheeks ache from smiling so much throughout dinner.

This time of day is special to me. It doesn’t matter how busy I am or who needs me, I always make it home in time for dinner. I worried that Shelby being here would throw off our sense of calm, but if anything, she added to it.

Riley isn’t the only one who’s perfect.

My baby adores Shelby, a fact I couldn’t be happier about. The past two hours have been filled with laughter and love, offering a glimpse into how our future could be.

Will be.

Shelby was made for us, made for me.

“You’re great with her,” I praise the woman in question.

Shelby blushes. It always gives her away.I fucking love it.

“She’s not exactly a difficult child.”

We walk peacefully toward the parked car, both watching Riley, who remains a few steps ahead.

I see Shelby peek at me a few times, but she remains quiet. I want her to open up to me in her own time. It’s what I’ve always wanted. I just never expected our situation to last this long.

“Don’t laugh,” she warns, pointing a finger.

I wrap my hand around the offending digit. “Never,” I promise.