Instead of immediately dismissing them, Bri let her dad’s words sink in. She took a moment to really think about how she felt about Cole. She thought about how much she missed him, his touch, his laugh. How desperately she wanted him, needed him. How miserable she’d been without him, and how much he meant to her. And finally, she knew. It had been staring her in the face this whole time, but she’d been too stubborn, and just plain scared, to admit it to herself.
She was in love with Cole Marra.
Completely, irrevocably, desperately in love with him.
More tears spilled as she looked up at her dad.
“I’m scared, Daddy,” she confessed.
Connor sighed. “Bri, I feel I’ve made a mistake.” At Bri’s confused expression he continued. “You see, I’ve raised you to be cautious, with everything. I’ve taught you the importance of thinking before you act. Of thinking through things logically, and listening to that big brain of yours. Now, for most decisions and situations in life, this is a good thing. But with love... love is different. It’s ruled by emotion, and you can’t always think through it rationally. Because love isn’t always rational. In fact, it’s very easy to ignore, to dismiss love entirely if you think long and hard enough about it. And I think that’s what you’ve done with Cole. You’ve doubted and renounced love, and convinced yourself that you don’t feel what you really do.” He sighed. “I feel that’s partly my fault, and I’m sorry. But, I’d hate to see you deny yourself something as wonderful as falling in love, because you’re afraid of opening yourself up. Love is the best thing we have in this life. Sometimes it’s the only thing that makes life worth living. Don’t let your fear get in the way of that.”
“But Dad, I’ve made such a terrible, catastrophic mess of things! I’m not sure I can fix it. I think it’s too late,” she sobbed.
“Oh, Sweet Pea, you’re young. You have so much to learn. And yes, you’re going to make mistakes.” He gently wiped a tear off her cheek. “But loving someone means that sometimes you have to take a leap for them. You need to let Cole know how you really feel about him. It is terrifying, but if you’re not willing to put yourself out there, you can’t expect him to.
“Have you messed thing up between you two? Yes. Does that mean that you can’t fix it? Absolutely not. Will it be hard? Probably. Will it be worth it?” Connor tucked his finger under Bri’s chin, and lifted her eyes to his. “Only you can answer that, I’m afraid. But, if you love him, if he’s that important to you, then fight for him, Bri. Fight with everything you have. Don’t let him just walk away.”
Fight for him. Bri knew he was worth it. She just had to figure out how.
“Thanks, Daddy,” she hugged him, her tears slowing. “Um, can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Do you think I don’t let myself be happy? That I get in the way of my own happiness?” Cole’s words had been weighing on her the whole way home.
Connor let out a breath. “No, I don’t think that you don’t let yourself be happy. But I do think that you keep people at a distance, because you’re afraid to be hurt. I think that by doing that, you keep yourself from pain, but you keep yourself from being truly happy, too.”
Bri dropped her head.
“Now, I know a lot of that has to do with you losing your mom. And I also know that a lot of that is my fault as well.”
Bri opened her mouth to protest, but her dad held up a hand to stop her.
“No, it’s true. You lost your mother when she died, but you lost me when I met Summer. I know this hasn’t been easy for you, and I know things between you and Summer aren’t great. I know that you often feel like you don’t have anyone to depend on, or turn to when you need them. But I want to you know that no matter what, I’ll always be there for you. Whatever you need, I’m here for you. You can count on me.”
Bri nodded, more tears spilling. Her dad leaned in to kiss her forehead.
“I’m so proud of you, Ambria. So proud of the person you’re becoming. Please don’t let fear hold you back any longer. You have so much to give, so much to offer the world. I’d hate to see you burdened by regret for the risks you didn’t take. So, do yourself a favor, and do your old man a favor, and start listening to your heart. Sometimes it knows best what you need.”
“But how do I know my heart will make the right decisions?”
“Oh, Pumpkin, it won’t. Just like anything else, your heart will make mistakes. But those mistakes are how we grow. Don’t be so afraid of failing, that you don’t even try. Okay?” Bri nodded. “I love you, Bri. I believe in you. And just remember, no matter what, you’ll always be my baby girl.”