You Can Count On Me (Christmas Daddies, #2)

by Fae Quin

The linoleum slid beneath my feet as I ducked into the hallway, Mama’s voice chasing me. “Where are you going—?” “Home.” I turned back to her, my tears still hot, lashes still wet. I couldn’t help but grin.“I forgot something.” “The casserole?” she teased, and I shook my head. “No.” A feeling of rightness settled warm and soft around my heart. “My goddamn family.”

Determined to tell Miles how I really felt. To tell him about my dad. To share with him everything I’d learned because I wanted to keep him. I was ready to keep him. I was ready to commit. If he’d have me. If I’d finally earned him.

Mistakes were just lessons. And messing up was just a way to learn how to be better.

Home was sunshine, laughter, and broad shoulders. It was forty kinds of cocoa, football reruns, and blanket forts. It was new discoveries, heated kisses, and shared heartache. It was being young again. Free. Home was sharing burdens, as partners, because that’s what partners do. Trent Montgomery was my home. He was real. He was strong. And sweet. And capable. Reliable. Trustworthy. Kind.

His honeyed eyes twinkled with mirth, his eyebrow cocked. They said, whatever you want, baby. They said, anything. They said, anything at all. And I believed them.

Trent had made one thing abundantly clear. I was going to be loved, whether either of us was ready or not. And I couldn’t bring myself to regret any of my mistakes. Because they’d led me here. To this single, perfect moment. Where I was loved. Where I was appreciated.

“Because you’re mine,” I growled, and Miles nodded, his head jerking in agreement. “And you will always be mine. Till the day I die, I’ll choose you.”

Love was patience. Love was imperfection. Love felt like…falling knowing there was somewhere soft to land.