When Alec Met Evie (Appies, #6)

by Jenny Proctor

I know my parents loved me—they still love me—but they had their hands full. I quickly learned the best thing I could do to help was stay quiet and out of the way.

He drew people into his orbit and kept them close, and we all stayed there because it felt like such a privilege to have been chosen by someone so talented, so magnetic. We liked what he liked, listened to what he listened to, ate whatever he was in the mood for.

I’m not about to believe Devon has suddenly changed. The man was very good at being concerned and loving, but only when being so also served him. Did he need me to help him run lines? Then of course he’d make dinner. Did he want me to be his arm candy at a big premiere where he was hoping to impress a fancy producer and his casting director wife? Then he would love to buy me a new dress.

Maybe fatherhood is just a matter of paying attention, of noticing what your family needs, then stepping up to take care of that need. It’s being present. Invested. Willing.