Page 74 of The Heartbreaker

“You have a great nose—don’t say that.” I ran my finger down the slope of it.

“Narrow, but long, unlike her mother’s button nose, which would have been much more fitting on my daughter.”

“I haven’t met Mom yet. I’m sure she’s gorgeous.”

I didn’t want to admit that I’d looked her up, and she was, in fact, extremely gorgeous. She also couldn’t have been more opposite than me. She had long black hair and a boho style with a full sleeve of tattoos. Her account showed her on location, doing makeup for celebrities, their faces once she was done with them, and pictures of her and Daisy weaved in between.

The way Daisy looked at her mom in those photos, I could tell how much love was between them.

“She’s an incredible mother,” he replied.

I let out a small laugh. “I see what you did there.”

He grinned. “I’m not going to comment on my ex’s looks—any man would know that wouldn’t be a smart move.”

“She’s not just your ex, Ridge. She’s Daisy’s mom. That makes her more important than anyone. I want you to know I get that.” I switched up my position and got on my knees. “I’ve taught lots of kids who come from broken families, and I’ve had to navigate those dynamics. I think that’s prepped me to put any kind of jealousy aside.” I wasn’t sure that had come out right, so I added, “What I’m trying to say is that if you tell me things are over between you and Jana, then I believe you. Saying yourdaughter’s mother is beautiful isn’t going to make me go wild on you … if that’s what you’re afraid of.”

He scanned my eyes several times. “You’re the oldest twenty-four-year-old I’ve ever met. I certainly didn’t have your maturity at your age.” He rolled up a piece of prosciutto and fed it to me before taking a slice for himself. “Hell, Jana was almost pregnant then, and I didn’t know what the hell I was doing. We were both going so fast, personally and professionally, it’s all a blur. But I remember being a cocky punk who was positive he knew everything.”

“I can’t even envision that side of you.” I swallowed the meat he’d given me. “Can I ask you a weird question?”

“Sure.”

“Was Daisy planned?”

“No.” He shook his head. “She was the surprise of a lifetime. An amazing surprise, but a surprise I was not ready for.” He took a drink. “Jana was in the beginning stages of her career, traveling the world, and she was reckless about taking her birth control. Not on purpose, just, you know, being young and dumb.” He took another bite of the meat. “We knew the risk, we just didn’t think it would happen—at least I didn’t.” He smiled. “And then it did, and, fuck, it rocked everything.”

“Look what you ended up with.” I could feel my eyes sparkling as I thought about her. “She’s so perfect. And not just the cutest kid ever, but she’s kind. Patient. She’s thoughtful and considerate, and she’s so sweet to the other kids in class.”

He traced his thumb over my lips. “Can I tell you how hot it is that you love my daughter?”

“I think I have a bit of an advantage because I get to spend so much time with her. I probably know her better than I know you.” I winked.

“We’re going to change that.”

“Yeah? When we’re going at turtle speed?” I tapped his chest. “Because that’ll be very impressive.”

“Trust me.”

He gave me a slow kiss that was more breath than tongue.

It was like he wanted to fill me with his air, and he wanted me to hold it in.

So, I did.

“Come on,” he said when he pulled away. “Let’s go for a walk.”

He helped me to my feet, and I glanced down at the setup he’d made for us—the cooler that sat on the corner of the blanket, the bottle of wine and glasses.

“What about all of this?”

“It’ll be fine. We won’t be gone long.”

He clasped my hand, and we headed toward the water. When we reached the wet sand, the muddy substance sticking between my bare toes—a feeling I loved—we continued in a straight path, hugging the ocean’s edge.

“I need to spend more time here,” I admitted. “I don’t know why I don’t make it as often as I’d like—if it’s fighting the traffic that stops me from coming or unsuccessfully squeezing in the time. But whenever I’m here, I say to myself, I’m coming back in a few days.”

“And then you don’t.” He released my hand and put his arm over my shoulders.