“Yes.”
“Good. Hailey going to be okay without you this evening?” His tone was laced with concern that melted her heart.
“She’s going to be fine.”
They stepped out front where a limo waited for them. She gazed up at him and couldn’t believe he’d gone to so much trouble for one evening. Her stomach fluttered and her heart beat fast. Was this what it was like to fall head-over-heels in love with someone?
* * * *
Josh sipped his wine as he stared across the table at the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on. These last few days with her and Hailey had been perfect. He didn’t want them to leave, but he knew not to push Abigail. He’d already caused her to lose her job—twice. She wouldn’t take kindly to him taking her away from her home as well. But he couldn’t fathom being away from either of them.
When he looked at Abigail, he saw his future. He could do so much for her. Get her back in school, put Hailey in another top-of-the-line school. And in return, she could do just as much for him. If she stayed and started a life with him, he’d finally be whole.
“The last few days have been fun,” he said.
“Hailey has loved it. She’s only been on small vacations before. I don’t think I can top this—ever. Well, maybe a Disney cruise.” She giggled.
“We can do that this summer.”
Abigail’s eyes widened and he worried she was about to get upset by him implying a future, but then he watched as she relaxed and a smile crept back on her face. “That might be fun.”
“Do you mean it?” he asked.
“Yes. Hailey loves you. I think it’s time we tell her.”
The server arrived at their table and set plates of food in front of them. He asked if they needed anything else and Josh practically shooed him away to get back to his conversation with Abigail.
“You’re ready to tell her?”
“I think so. She’s accepted that you two are related and I can’t believe she hasn’t asked how yet.” She took a bite of her mashed potatoes. “I don’t think you’re going anywhere and that you want to be in her life. It’s only fair to both of you for her to know that you’re her father.”
Holding his fork in his hand, Josh took several deep breaths to compose himself. He was so happy that she wanted him in Hailey’s life. But she hadn’t mentioned anything about them or a relationship.
“Would you consider moving to New York?” he asked as he cut into his steak.
“I don’t know.”
“I won’t force you to do anything, but if you come here, not only will Hailey have more opportunities, but so will you.” He took a bite of his steak.
“It’s something to think about.”
He grinned. It was a step and that was all that mattered. “Do you believe that I want to be with you?”
Abigail pressed her wine glass to her lips, but her dark eyes were locked on his. She set the glass down and then wiped her red lips with the napkin. “We need to take things slow.”
“I can handle slow.”
“As much as I want to stay here in New York—and believe me, I do—I think for now Hailey and I will return to our other home. But will visit often.”
Josh didn’t want that. It was hard for him to accept this answer. He was used to being in control, but when it came to Abigail, that control went out the window. She called almost all the shots.
He softly said, “I don’t want you to leave though.” He reached across the table and she met him halfway, taking his hand. “Apparently I haven’t proved to you yet that I want you.”
“Josh, you have. But you have to understand that mine and Hailey’s life is somewhere else. We can’t just drop everything and live here with you.”
“Why not?” His tone was almost demanding. “Why can’t you just give this a real shot?”
“I am. But you’ve only been back in my life a short time. How can you expect me to pick up my entire life and move in with you?”
“I’m just asking you to take a chance on us.”
“Me taking a chance is one thing, but I have to think about Hailey too.”
He groaned and shook his head. She was right—again. Abigail had a way of doing that. “I don’t want to argue this evening. I have special plans for us tonight.”
“I don’t want to fight either.” She squeezed his hand that she still held. “I like you, a lot.”
She wasn’t ready to hear how he felt about her. She’d run for sure. “I don’t want to discuss when you and Hailey plan to leave at the moment, but I would like to know when you think we should tell her about me.”