“I do.” I squeezed her hand, then lifted it and pressed a kissto her knuckles. “I feel really good about where we’re headed. And so, if you feel the same…”
“Yes,” she whispered, not hesitating even for a second.
“Really?” My chest loosened, even though I’d been pretty sure we’d been on the same page.
She nodded.
“Then I think it’s the right next step.” I paused, then let a smirk tug at my mouth. “Plus, it would be nice to wake up with you next to me instead of having you sneak out of my room every night.”
Most nights that she stayed in my room didn’t even matter since Charlotte usually slept like a rock and didn’t stir until I was already out the door.
But on the few nights Charlotte had a bad dream hit and she ended up climbing into my bed to feel safe—it was just smarter to have Nora stay in her own room so we could avoid the questions we weren’t quite ready to answer.
“I definitely wouldn’t mind sleeping next to you again,” Nora said.
“Good,” I murmured before kissing the top of her head.
“So… how do you want to do it?” she asked, her gaze dipping to my mouth before returning to my eyes. “Do you have a plan?”
“I do.”
“And?” Her brows lifted, waiting.
I held her gaze for a beat, enjoying the suspense.
Then I winked. “It’s a secret.”
“You and your special secrets.” Nora let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head, her eyes glittering.
“Don’t worry,” I said, brushing my thumb over her knuckles again. “I think you’re going to like this one.”
“Hey,” I whispered to Charlotte later that afternoon. “I have a secret to tell you.”
Charlotte froze mid-step, green eyes going huge.
“A secret?” she gasped, one tiny hand flying to her mouth. “What is it?”
I had to bite back a smile because this was one of my favorite parts of being her dad. The way a secret could turn her into a tiny detective in half a second.
We’d just gotten settled into our hotel suite in Maui. It was bright and airy, with a big balcony overlooking the ocean. There was a main living area with a small kitchenette, then two bedrooms and a bathroom.
The plan was simple. I’d take the primary bedroom; Nora and Charlotte would stay in the other room with two queen beds.
So while Nora was unpacking her suitcase and getting settled in, I pulled Charlotte into my room, crouched in front of her and whispered, “You know how Nora has been getting all those flowers from her secret admirer?”
“Uh huh.” Charlotte nodded so hard her curls bounced.
“Okay, so… the secret is…” I took a breath, keeping it dramatic on purpose, “that all those flowers were actually from me.”
“They are?” Charlotte gasped.
I nodded. “I’m Nora’s secret admirer.”
“I knew it!” she squealed, practically vibrating with excitement before doing a little jump. “Iknowedyou was thepwince!”
I let out a quiet laugh, loving how her cute brain put things together. “So you figured me out?”
She nodded, beaming with pride.