Page 42 of Only You

“Hold on a second. “Who is Hannah, and why is she moving into your house?” His brow arched.

“She’s a woman I met. She’s opening a flower shop in town, and she’s been looking for a place. She’s currently staying with her sister and her sister’s boyfriend, Colin.”

“So, you told her she can move in with you?” His eyes narrowed.

“No. She’s renting my guesthouse.”

“Ah. Is she hot?”

“She’s a very beautiful and smart woman, and I took her to dinner the other night.”

“Who are you? He chuckled. “Where is the Alex Harbor that lives in Chicago?”

“I’m not sure.” I smirked, walking away.

I went up to Lucy’s room, opened the door, and found her lying across her bed with her phone in her hand.

“Bitching about me to your friend?” I jokingly asked.

“Yeah, I am. Go away, Dad.”

“Listen, sweetheart.” I sat on the edge of the bed, took her phone, and set it down. “Ever since your aunt died, I’ve been a lunatic about the ocean. I’m frightened something is going to happen to you. She was only two years older than you when she drowned. The ocean swallowed her whole. One minute, I saw her, and the next, she was gone.”

“Are you trying to scare me?” she asked.

“No. I never want you to be afraid, but it’s my job to protect you. I’ll take you in the ocean, but not right now. I need you to promise me something.”

“What?” Her sad eyes stared into mine.

“Promise me that you’ll never go into that water unless an adult is with you.”

“Even when I’m an adult myself?”

“You know what I mean, Lucy.”

“I won’t, Dad. I know we’re leaving to go back to Chicago, so you won’t have to worry about it.” She lowered her head.

“Hey.” I lifted her chin with my finger. “How would you like to move here permanently?”

“Are you serious?” Her face lit up. “You mean, like, move everything from Chicago to here?”

“That’s exactly what I mean.” I smiled.

“I can go to school here and everything?”

“Yes. You can go to school here.”

“Thank you, Dad!” She threw her arms around my neck and hugged me. “I love you!”

“I love you too, kiddo.”

“What about your company?” she asked.

“I’ll still have to go back and forth occasionally, but I can work from here. Plus, I have Uncle Owen to oversee things in Chicago.”

“I can’t wait to tell Isabelle! I promise, Dad. I won’t go in the ocean without an adult. I swear to you.”

“Thank you, Lucy.” I hugged her.