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“Better the devil you know, I guess.”

“I still don’t like that she got away with it.”

My lips pull at the edges. Why is her being so protective of my daughter such a turn-on?

“I’ll charge her double the next time she comes to the clinic. How’s that?” I propose.

Shelby thinks for a second. “Is that legal?”

I shrug. “I’ll find a way.”

“Her mom and dad too. For raising such an irresponsible little shit.”

“Consider it done,” I declare.

Shelby giggles, drawing a laugh from me.

“Oh, we have cake for after.” Shelby points at the fridge. “Leftover birthday cake. It needs to be eaten.”

“Thank you.” I nod gratefully.

Shelby stops chopping to give me a smile that stops my heart.

“I should be thanking you. The cake meant a lot.” Sadness washes over her face. “It’s the cake my dad used to get me from the grocery store.”

“I know,” I whisper with a small smile.

Surprised, her gaze meets mine. “I tried to go buy one, but just couldn’t do it. It was the first birthday without him, and I wanted to feel like he was still here somehow.”

I can only hope that Riley and I develop the same kind of relationship that Shelby had with her dad. I’m sure the pain of being without him on her birthday wasn’t helped by the fact that her stepmother moved out of town a few weeks before.

Seeing her tears build, I round the island and draw her into a hug.

“He was,” I tell her confidently.

“How do you know?” She sniffles into my dress shirt.

“Because even after I’m gone, I will never leave Riley.”

Dropping a kiss to the top of her head, I relish the feel of her against me. The way her body forms to mine. Shelby’s hands grip my back, and she nods against my chest.

“You’re a good dad.”

“I’ll get you that cake every year,” I swear.

“That’s a promise you might not have to keep.” She shrugs, pulling away.

“What do you mean?” I frown.

“Sylvia wants to sell the house. She found a cute place near the sea. I can’t afford to buy out her half of the property, so I think the house will be on the market in the next month or two,” she states nonchalantly, like she didn’t just rip my whole world apart.

“You can’t move.”

“I’ll still be in town. I think. Maybe. Cromwell’s expensive.” She finishes on a mumble, pulling away to continue chopping.

“You can move in here,” I offer without thinking.

The knife in her hand freezes mid-chop.