Page 30 of Summer Fling (The Kingston Brothers #5)

Blake handed Lilliana to me, and I hovered nearby for a few minutes while Blake led the class through the supplies at their stations, and when she started with the background, I asked Lilliana if she wanted to go back to our station to paint, and she nodded.

Breathing a sigh of relief that she hadn't caused a fit, I made my way back to our station and opened the paints, pouring a little color into each spot on the pallet.

I told Lilliana what to do and let her stand on a stool so that she could reach.

I stood behind her, ready to catch her if she started to fall.

It wasn't as good as what Blake was doing, but it wasn't half bad. I attributed her ability to Blake's patient instruction over the last few weeks.

Blake's voice drifted through the room. She used clear direction to tell us what to do, offering encouragement and reminding us that art didn't have to be perfect. And that we could do the techniques over again to get better.

She was the perfect mix of firm and encouraging. She moved around the room as she taught, giving individual instruction. Everyone seemed to be enjoying her class.

When Blake got to us, she said, "This is amazing. You've gotten so good at backgrounds."

It was a mix of different colors to me, but it was good for a toddler. Then Blake winked at me, and I wanted to pull her in for a kiss. "You're doing great, Dad."

I shook my head. "This is all you. You've been painting with her every day, and it shows."

"Aw. Thank you," Blake said before Hazel pulled her away.

We were supposed to let the background dry for fifteen minutes, so we walked around and mingled. There was coffee for the adults and juice and donuts for the kids.

Once the class resumed, Lilliana wasn't interested in drawing a tree. It was much more difficult for her than a colored background, so I followed her around the children's section where she played with books and toys.

The class was a mix of the gals who spent time at the senior center, parents with their kids, and a few adults who were interested in painting.

Blake's face was animated when she talked, and she was quick to answer any questions. I was proud of her. It was obvious that she loved teaching and sharing her love of painting with others.

My heart sank a little at the thought because I should allow her to pursue her dream of being an art therapist. I shouldn't hold her back with declarations of love. Not when it was so clear where her future should be, and it wasn't with me.

I was holding her back. She was meant for so much more than this small island.

My heart ached, but I knew I couldn't ask her to stay or she'd resent me at some point. She wasn't meant to be a nanny, no matter how good she was at it. She was meant to share her joy with everyone else. And the best way for her to do that was to get her degree in art therapy.

I'd been afraid to tell her how I felt because I wasn't sure that she felt the same. But now, things had become so clear. I was the anchor on Blake's future, and I couldn't be that anymore.

I needed to cut her lose and let her do her thing.

I couldn't help but think I was the reason she was so conflicted. I needed to put some distance between us, show her that she could do whatever it is that she wanted.

I wanted to lift her up, be the reason why she went for it. Not the one who stopped her from pursuing her dreams.

We were a summer fling, but in the fall, she'd go back to her real life.

The one where she impressed everyone with her intelligence and grace. She'd share her passion with everyone and be a better person for it.

I'd already made my choices. I wanted to be the best single dad I could be, while also being a supportive brother and son. I loved working with my family here on the island. I had no reason to leave.

My heart hurt while I watched the rest of the class, and during the break before the second class, Blake stopped by us to tell Lilliana, "We'll finish your painting at home."

But Lilliana was more interested in putting Legos on the Lego wall than pausing to talk to Blake or me.

Blake straightened and asked me, "How are you?"

"This is amazing. I'm so proud of you."

Blake looked around at the room. "It's a little overwhelming. I had no idea so many people were interested in painting. People have been asking if this will become a weekly thing, and whether I'd be willing to host painting parties. Apparently, people are willing to spend a lot of money to host something like this in their house. I thought I’d only want to teach children, but this experience opened my mind up to the possibilities of teaching all age levels.”

"I thought you'd want to do more of the therapy aspect of art."

"Well, you can get therapy from just painting. I don't need a fancy degree to show people that. Especially if I'm working in a more casual setting like this."

"But you've always done the right thing, gotten the degrees you need to succeed," I continued, hoping to convince her that her life wasn't and shouldn't be here with me.

Blake sighed. "I have another class to teach."

"I'm going to take Lilliana home for lunch and her nap, but let me know when you need me to pack up. I can come back."

Blake hugged me. "Thanks for coming to support me."

"Of course. I'll always be here for you." But I wouldn't be able to follow her around the world, wherever her dreams would take her. It would hurt, but when the time came, I'd let her go. She deserved so much more than to have her wings clipped and to be trapped in this cage.

I remembered how so many kids in high school couldn't wait to get out. There weren't many opportunities for jobs here, and there was a whole world out there waiting for them. It was the same for Blake, and I wouldn't be the man to tell her no.

My heart heavy, I gathered our things and attempted to walk out with Lilliana, but she was more interested in running ahead of me.

Outside, I belted her into the car seat and closed her door. The lot of the library was full, and there were people coming out with their canvases, smiles on their faces.

I couldn't deny everyone the joy of being with Blake. She needed to share her art with the world.

When I got home, I fed Lilliana on autopilot, thinking about what it would be like when Blake was gone and I was alone again.

Would I stay strong with Oakley, or was it Blake that had me sticking to my convictions? I was scared I'd go back to the way I was, a floor mat for Oakley to walk all over. And what would I do with Lilliana when I was working?

I'd have to find another nanny or try to get into one of the daycares on the island. There weren't many, and they filled up fast.

Summer was a better time to find help. During the school year, the college kids would go off island for school, and I'd be screwed.

After Lilliana ate, I cleaned her up and read her a book before settling in for nap time.

Around two, Hudson knocked on my door. "I thought I'd watch Lilliana so you could help Blake get her things packed up."

"I hadn't thought that through when I offered to help her." I was so used to relying on Blake to be here that I hadn't even realized that she wouldn't be. It was a good reminder that soon I'd be on my own and I'd have to figure these things out.

I couldn't always rely on my family for help.

I opened the door wider so Hudson could come inside.

"Is everything okay?"

I ran a hand through my hair. "Yeah, just realized some things today."

He raised a brow. "Yeah? What was that?"

"I've been holding Blake back. She's destined for amazing things." My stomach was twisted in knots, but it felt good to admit that out loud.

"That's what you got from her class this morning?" Hudson asked carefully, leaning a hip on the island.

"Did you see how happy people were to be there and listen to her teach? Blake was in her element."

The crease between his eyebrows deepened. "She was great. But I thought the point of the class was to see if there was interest for more."

"It's clear that she needs to spread this far and wide, off the island. The best thing she could do is go back for her degree in art therapy. She can't do that here, not on the island. There're no schools, and it can't be done online."

Hudson raised his hand. "Slow down. You're making a lot of assumptions."

"For the first time in a long while, I can see clearly. I'm the one holding her back from living her dreams. That's why she can't make a decision. She feels badly for me. She thinks I need her here."

"Well, you do. She's watching Lilliana for you."

"That's the problem. I need to let her go," I said firmly.

Hudson shook his head. "Are you sure about that?"

My phone buzzed. "It's Blake. She needs me to pick her up." I looked around for the monitor, frustrated when I couldn't find it right away. "Give me a sec."

I disappeared into my bedroom to grab the monitor I left on my nightstand last night. I couldn't believe I had been so distracted that I hadn't turned it on or put it in the kitchen where I was. I needed to get my shit together.

In the kitchen, I put the monitor on the island where Hudson could see Lil sleeping in the crib. "She should be out until I get back. Thanks for coming over."

"You're welcome."

I grabbed my keys and headed for the door.

"Dalton?" Hudson followed me.

I turned around. "Yeah?"

"Be sure about what you said before you talk to Blake."

"Of course," I said to placate him because I knew I was Blake's problem in this scenario, and I needed to remove myself from the situation. Satisfied I'd made the right choice, I opened the door and stepped into a wall of heat. The humidity felt heavier than usual.

Soon it would be fall, the tourists would go back home, and so would Blake. I'd figure things out just like I always had.

I'd be strong, being the father Lilliana could count on and a man I could be proud of. If I kept her here, I'd never forgive myself.

I was doing the right thing.