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“But you’re their dad—the only one they’ve got—and they love you beyond the moon It won’t matter what he buys them, Dex They’ll alant to be with you”

He didn’t say anything, but his throat muscles remained taut

“My sisters and I could have cared less about things likewas the tih and feel safe The way he showed us he loved us” I put my hand on his arm “I promise you, no one will ever replace you in their eyes So and try, and—”

“Fuck that guy” Dex stood taller and puffed out his chest “I’ll kick his ass”

I laughed, rubbing his forearot time before boyfriends”

He still looked alarood at that”

“My dad wasn’t either But we kneas because he loved us, and he was protective”

Taking a deep breath, he exhaled “Yeah Thanks”

“You’re welco hiood I sort of wished I could loop ainst his bicepbut I didn’t “I’m always here to listen And I understand how co can be”

“Thanks” He watched as Whitney lifted Luna down and helped Hallie into the saddle “I don’t usually spill uts about that stuff”

“I know You just grunt and go about your business”

He elbowed“I was trying to say so nice to you”

“You were?” I feigned surprise “I must have missed it”

“I orking up to it”

“Keep working”

He nudged ain “It’s easy to talk to you You make it easy Somehow”

I s at the compliment “Thanks”

Aour hair Several ti, but he never spoke up Closingthe warmth on my skin

Then I heard his voice

“What are you doing tomorrow?”

“Working in theOff in the afternoon”