Page 154 of The One

“I’ve got one more surprise up my sleeve,” he said. “The both of you are just going to have to wait a little bit before you find out where we’re going.”

“Okaaay,” Daisy sang. She looked at me as the doors closed. “His surprises are always the best.”

“What makes them the best?” I asked.

She seemed to think about the question and shrugged. “He knows what I love the mostest.”

“I know what you mean,” I said softly. “It’s like you don’t even have to tell him. And then he gives it to you, and it’s everything you’ve ever wanted.” I touched my neck where the diamondRsat.

“It’s ’cause he loves us,” she said, and she rushed over to him and hugged his waist.

“And I love you. Come here, kiddo.” He reached down and lifted her like she weighed no more than a feather and carried her out of the elevator to his car parked out front.

Even though he’d teased me about trying to get pregnant, I knew how badly he wanted a child.

We both did.

And seeing him with Daisy was something I couldn’t have prepared myself for. The patience he had with her, the way he looked at her, the way she looked at him.

She’d been his light since the day she had been born.

And for the years I couldn’t be there for him, Daisy had. She’d held his hand and walked him straight out of the storm. The best part was, that little girl didn’t even know it.

I could understand how Rhett could come across to people who didn’t know him. Or for even those who did, there was a roughness to him, like a callus. One that, I assumed, had taken shape after losing Pen. Anyone who had experienced what we had—what my whole family had—would never be the same.

But what was inside that man was pure love.

Someone who would make the most remarkable father.

Someone who would stand by my side for the rest of my life.

And someone who would never make me question his love.

Because I didn’t just feel it in my heart.

I felt it everywhere.

Once he got Daisy settled into the backseat, he opened my door for me, kissing me on the cheek. “I knew you’d be so motherly with her.” His voice was low so only I could hear. “But seeing how much she loves you already, fuck, Lainey, I can’t even explain how that’s making me feel.”

I smiled at him and held the flowers up to my face as I climbed into the passenger seat. I waited for him to close the door to put on my seat belt.

And as he started the car and pulled away from the curb, I said to Daisy, “Where do you think he’s taking us?”

“Somewhere that’s the best. I just know it.”

“The best, huh?” Rhett said. “That’s a lot of pressure, Daisy. I’d better be bringing you somewhere amazing.” He reached across the seat and held my hand.

“You promised me a delicious lunch,” I teased him. “So, I agree with Daisy. I hope we end up somewhere that’s the best.”

“You’re jumping on the bandwagon, I see.” He looked at me quickly to smile.

“Just a woman supporting another woman—that’s all,” I replied.

“That’s right, Uncle ’Ett. We’re besties already.”

Rhett laughed, and I did too. I turned even more and waved Daisy closer. She could only bend so far with how tightly she was buckled in.

“I have to tell you a secret.”