“You don’t know shit about her or her situation.” I take a step toward him, and the coward moves back. He bumps against my bookshelf as I get closer. “She is everything anyone would wish their daughter to be. She’s honest and brave and kind, obviously no thanks to you. She’s everything I’ve wished for come true, and I’m lucky enough that she lets me be in her life. I love her, and I’m going to do everything in my life to repair the damage you and her mother have done to her heart.”
There’s a gasp from the doorway of my office, and we both turn to see Heidi standing here watching us. Her mouth is open, but her eyes are red like she’s been crying. Forgetting about her father cowering in the corner, I go to her and pull her into my arms.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” I look into her eyes, but she swallows and shakes her head.
“I’ll tell you in a second.” She moves to the side, trying to go around me to her father, and I let her. I won’t be the thing that stands between them even if I wish I could. “I don’t want this.”
She holds out a folded piece of paper to him, and he presses his lips into a thin line as he takes it from her. “I didn’t know she didn’t give you any of the money I sent. I—” He stops speaking and swallows hard like he has no idea what to say. “I just wanted to protect my family.”
Heidi nods and steps back as I pull her against my side. “I don’t want your money or anything to do with your family. I just want to live my life in peace.” She wraps her arm around my waist, and I feel complete in her warmth. “I don’t want anything to do with you or my mom ever again.”
“If you ever look her way again, I’ll make it so you don’t have the ability to see. Do we understand each other?” I raise an eyebrow, and he nods, but I wait until he agrees out loud.
“Yes.” He keeps his eyes on me as he straightens and then adjusts his tie. “We’ve been wanting to move out of the neighborhood anyway.”
“I expect to see the sign in your yard by the end of the week.”
He nods sharply and then exits my office without a backwards glance. I wait until I hear his footsteps fade to turn and face Heidi.
“Why are you crying?” I hold her face in my hands as she gives me a watery smile.
“Did you mean what you said?” she sniffles.
“Of course I did.” I blink at her in shock. “I love you, and I’ll do anything to protect you. Isn’t it obvious?”
“Oh my god, Reese.” She throws her arms around me, and I kiss her cheeks. “I love you too.”
“I know, baby.” My lips move across her jaw until they find hers, and the kiss is slow and sweet. It’s a long moment before I pull back and look down at her once more. “Tell me why you were crying when you got here.”
“I’ve been put on suspension from the school.” When she says it, she tucks her chin so I can’t see her face. “One of the dancers from the club told on us for being there together, and they’ve suspended me from the university while they investigate. They’re probably going to fire you. I’m so sorry, Reese. So so sorry.”
All of it comes out in a rush, and I smile softly at her. “Fuck them,” I say, and then her eyes snap up to mine. “I’ll quit. I only took this job as a favor. I don’t need the money or the work. If it comes down to you or them, I choose you.” I kiss her gently and then smile once more. “I’ll always choose you.”
“How did I get so lucky to find someone like you in a strip club?”
I can’t help but laugh as I shake my head. “Let’s go home.” Pulling her into my arms, I inhale her scent, and a weight I didn’t know was there is lifted off of me. She loves me, I love her, and we’re in this together.
Now I just have to figure out how to get the ring in my pocket on her finger before the night is over.
Epilogue
Heidi
A few years later
I give my outfit one last look over before I grab a coat. Fall has quickly changed into winter, and I’m not the least bit mad about it. I’m excited for our first Christmas with our little ones. Getting excited for the holidays is new to me. Before Reese, it was like any other day. Even when I was little I don’t remember my mother ever doing much.
“Don’t you rush home,” Mae says as she enters the bedroom with a baby monitor in her hand. “They’ll be tuckered out for a while, and there is more than enough breast milk stored away. You two enjoy some free time.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me.