Page 11 of Summer Fling (The Kingston Brothers #5)

I wanted to enjoy every minute with my daughter today, because I didn't know when I'd get to see her again. Oakley might decide to keep her as retaliation for filing for a formal custody agreement. I hadn't heard if she'd been served yet, but I could guess that she wouldn't be happy when she was.

On the drive to my parents, Blake looked out the side window.

"My parents already know you," I said to reassure her.

She sighed. "I know."

I glanced over at her again. "Why are you nervous then?"

Her gaze flitted to mine, and then away. "We're going to tell them that we're dating."

"We'll say that we liked each other before you moved in, and it felt natural to be together. We'll call it love at first sight. That's a thing, right?" I asked, trying to keep things light.

She wiped her hands on the skirt of her dress. "I guess so."

"Should we have talked a bit more about the details?" I looked over at her.

"We should probably keep it vague so we don't screw up. We like each other, and we're seeing where it goes." Blake waved a hand.

We'd need to lead up to us getting engaged, but we could keep it low-key for now.

I had a feeling that Ashton would insist it was the best way to go into the mediation and potential trial after.

We're engaged and building a life together.

I wouldn't know what I'd do if he suggested we get married.

I wasn't quite ready for any of this. But I'd do anything for my daughter.

Lilliana was the end game, and I needed to remember that.

I reached over and covered Blake's hand with mine. "I really appreciate you doing this."

Her brow furrowed. "What if they don't believe it?"

"You mean because you're completely out of my league?" I said as I turned into the driveway and parked next to another Kingston Construction truck. It looked like most of my family was already here. We'd had to wait until Lilliana woke up from her nap to come over.

Blake shifted on her seat so that her knee was folded, and she was facing me. "Why do you keep saying that? How are you out of my league?"

At least I'd distracted her from her nerves. "You're gorgeous. Smart."

She shook her head. "I'm not out of your league." She ticked her points off on her fingers. "You're attractive. You work in your family's business, and you're an amazing single dad."

"You think I'm attractive?" I asked, enjoying teasing her.

She rolled her eyes. "That's what you got from my list? Not the amazing-single-dad part?"

I quickly sobered. "That was nice too."

Lilliana gurgled from her car seat. I glanced in the rearview mirror, checking on her in the one I'd installed on the back of the seat since she was still in a reverse-facing chair.

Blake's lips quirked. "See? Lilliana agrees with me."

"I'm outnumbered now with two women." It actually felt good to think of Lilliana as living with me.

For so long, I had to visit her, and it wasn't the same.

I wanted to be the one who got up with her in the middle of the night and prepared her dinner in the evening.

I hoped that it wouldn't be taken away from me.

Blake grinned. "Get used to it."

I pushed on the handle opening the door. Blake met me at the rear-passenger door. I lifted Lilliana out of the car seat.

"I'm out of this girl's league too," I said as I looked at my beautiful baby girl.

Sometimes it was hard to believe that she was mine.

That she'd grow, and I'd be able to say she got her nose or her eye color from me.

She'd always be a piece of Oakley too, but I loved all parts of her. My love for her was all-encompassing.

When Lilliana saw Blake, she reached for her, and I let her go.

Blake carried her to the door where I opened it, and went inside.

On a day like this, the door was unlocked, and family members were free to come and go.

But Mom must have heard the door because she came down the hallway, a smile on her face.

When she saw that Blake was holding Lilliana, she asked, "How's my baby? "

"She's doing great. We've been painting a lot lately."

Mom reached for Lilliana, and she went willingly. "I bet she has." Mom cooed to Lilliana for a few seconds and then asked, "How are things? Are you settling in with these two?"

"It's been great."

I was pleased that Blake was happy living with us because I'd become used to her being around. When I needed to cook or jump in the shower, there was someone who could watch Lilliana. I didn't have to wait until she was asleep. It was a nice feeling to rely on someone.

I wanted to do this father thing on my own, but having help was nice too.

"Good. I'm glad it worked out." Mom carried Lilliana into the kitchen where more of my family was eating and talking. "How are things with Oakley?"

"I filed to return to mediation for custody." Everyone was quiet as my pronouncement rang through the space.

Dad slapped my shoulder. "I'm proud of you son."

Shep nodded. "It's about time."

I got the sense that my family wanted me to do more about the situation, but I appreciated that they hadn't expressed their opinions. They were supportive of whatever I wanted to do. They were always there for me. I wondered if Blake had that same support.

I didn't know much about her, other than she was in a doctorate program, and she'd nannied for Cooper and Ivy. I knew more about her prior nannying jobs than anything else. I didn't know anything about her family.

"It's nice to have everyone in one place again," Mom said, nodding toward Axel and Luna.

Luna hugged me, and I said, “It’s nice to have you home.”

“It’s good to see everyone together,” she agreed.

I shook Axel’s hand. “Let us know if we can help you out with any of your projects.”

“Will do,” Axel said as he put his arm around Luna’s shoulder, and she smiled up at him.

They’d met each other when she rented a cabin for a month in Maryland, next to his. They’d managed to live part-time in Maryland and Florida, where they bought and flipped homes for a living.

Recently, my older brother Marshall left the military to spend more time with his teenage daughter, Hayden. She'd come to live with him for the second half of the school year. It was a trial thing, and I wasn't sure if she'd decided to make it permanent or not.

It was nice to give Mom this gift of family. I was pleased that Lilliana could join us too. Whenever Hayden and Lilliana weren’t here, it felt like something vital was missing.

"Does Ashton think the court will rule in your favor?" Dad asked.

Brady grabbed a grape and said, "Surely, they'll see how manipulative Oakley is.”

"I don't know what the court will do. But I've been tracking Oakley's behavior, when she drops off and picks up Lilliana, usually without any prior notice.

I also note her excuses, that she wants Lilliana when her friends are around.

Almost as if she wants to play the part of mom but not be around for the other stuff. "

I couldn't imagine how she just dropped her off, seemingly not caring if she was missing out on anything. I wanted to be there for Lilliana, so it worked out for me. But I was concerned her mother didn’t want her, and it would eventually be apparent to Lilliana as she got older.