Page 73 of Roar for Me
Not that it was a bad thing. Blended families happened all the time. Did she want that? For the three of them to be a family?
Duncan returned with the promised water, and she sucked it down to calm the rising panic. She hadn’t said theLword again since that first night when she’d almost-not-quite said she loved him. She couldn’t believe she’d said that; she must have been more tired than she thought. Jet lag was clearly a bitch. But watching him with Katie as they discussed the photos in the gallery was opening her eyes.
Maybe she could.
“Mom, the owner said he’s going to watch my portfolio website! He says I have talent!” Katie whispered. Her daughter was beaming, and Aurora’s pride surged. She looked up at Duncan.
“How?”
He shrugged and put his hands in his pockets. “You just gotta put yourself out there and ask. Especially when you’re going into the arts.”
She nodded. She would never have thought to do that. Her heart swelled for this man who was taking her daughter under his wing and supporting her dreams. He wasn’t Jeff. But he might be the next best thing.
“Do you want to go back to the condo and rest before dinner?” His brows were drawn together in concern.
“That sounds like a good idea. Thanks, Duncan.”
On the final day of Operation: Make Roar Love California, he took them to the Golden Gate bridge and other tourist spots. He snagged some tickets to a baseball game, and they ate hot dogs and cotton candy for dinner. Katie went to bed immediately when they got back to his condo. Aurora groaned and put her feet up on the plush white sectional, Duncan beside her.
“Thanks again for hosting us. How’s your search been going?”
“My search?”
“I thought you were going to reach out to Ryder?”
“Oh, that, um …” Duncan cleared his throat. “It’s complicated.”
Aurora raised an eyebrow. “Too busy to do a five-minute internet search for the son you lost?”
Duncan hung his head in shame. How could he explain what Mariah had done?
“It doesn’t seem fair that Katie should get to know you and not Ryder. And I appreciate that, because she’s been missing a father figure in her life for five years—”
Duncan looked at Aurora, his face grave. “I’m not trying to replace her father. I would never do that.”
“I’m not saying you are.” Aurora soothed him. “I’m just saying that Katie likes having you in her life. But I feel bad for Ryder because you’re so great with her.”
Duncan smiled. “She’s a great kid. But I don’t know what Mariah told him about me.”
“Then he deserves to know the truth about you.” Aurora’s eyes bored into his soul. “You’re afraid of his rejection.”
“Since when can you read minds?” Tears gathered as his voice wavered.
“I’ve always been able to read people. I’m just better at it now.” She reached up to stroke his face, and he pressed her hand into his cheek.
“Fight for him, Duncan. Do you want him to live his whole life wondering, ‘Why didn’t my dad want me?’”
“No, I don’t want that. I did want him. But Mariah won.”
“I’m sure a man as smart as you can find him.” She lowered her hand.
“Thanks.”
“Aren’t you going to look?”
“I have a guest right now.” Duncan pulled her into his arms.
“I don’t mind.”
