Blind Kiss(81)

“God, Penny, are you that dense?”

“Are you insulting me?”

“I don’t get along with Briel because all I do is compare her to you.”

I had no fight left in me. “But here we are, you and me, on opposite sides of the world.”

He didn’t respond.

“I hired an office manager.” I said. “I’ll text you her number. She’s going to take over managing the strip mall properties. I’m gonna go, Gavin. I’m tired.”

“I still love you, you know.”

“I know,” I said before hanging up.





40. Three Years Later


GAVIN

Peering through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the dance studio, I held my daughter’s hand and watched Penny dance like I had when I first met her.

“That’s her, Elodie. The most beautiful woman in the room. Do you see? Do you see the way she moves?”

“I do, Daddy. She’s a very pretty dancer.”

When Penny’s routine ended and she excused her class, I led Elodie into the room. Penny and I hadn’t spoken in three years. We needed space from each other. And watching her now, I knew I had made the right decision to stay away. She was vibrant and healthy looking. Her hair was up, and I noticed from across the room that she had a new tattoo on the back of her neck.

She still hadn’t spotted us.

“Nice tights, Teach.”

She spun around so quickly it made me dizzy. Those lips, those chocolatey eyes. “What the—” she started.

“This is Elodie. She wants to be a dancer.” I shrugged. “I have no idea why.”

Penny came toward us, ankles cracking and popping. I smiled at the familiar sound. She bent in front of Elodie and stuck her hand out. “I’m Penny.”

“I know. My daddy shows me videos of you dancing.”

“Does he?” she whispered. Her eyes misted over as she shook Elodie’s hand.

“Why are you crying?” Elodie said.

“Because I’m happy to meet you. These are happy tears.” They shook hands and then Penny stood, wiping the tears from her face, and stared at me. A small smile played on her lips.

“You here for a visit?”

I laughed. “I’m not fucking around this time.”

“Daddy!” Elodie admonished.

“Sorry, baby girl. Elodie wants to take lessons here. We’re moving back into my dad’s house next Tuesday.”

She stood there, blinking. “You and Elodie and . . . ?”

“Nope, just me and this little Tater Tot.” I lowered my voice. “Briel wasn’t cut out for it. Her band’s second album hit it pretty big.”

“I heard that.”

“She was on the road a lot. I told her I didn’t belong in Paris, raising our daughter alone.”

“And . . .”

“She understood.”

We spoke quietly, almost in code. She glanced down at Elodie and said, “But won’t Briel—”

I shook my head. “Like I said, she wasn’t cut out for it. Elodie, baby, go dance in front of the mirror. It’s all yours.”

Penny pressed a button on a remote and music came on. “That’s it. Good girl,” Penny said as Elodie danced around freely.

Now we had a little privacy. Penny leaned up on her toes, wrapped her arms around my neck, and whispered, “I’m going to hate-kiss you now for not talking to me for three years.” I laughed but she stopped me with the kiss. I didn’t feel hate in it at all.

When she pulled away, I said, “But you didn’t talk to me, either.”

“Fine, I take it back. Now close your eyes.” I did and we kissed again. I placed her hand on my heart. We were back in the psychology room so many years ago, but this time we had a whole life shared between us. “Don’t open your eyes,” she said when she stepped away. “Now tell us, Gavin, what did you feel?”

“Love. What about you, Penny?”

“I felt everything.”

“Yes, everything,” I agreed.

“Now open your eyes.”

When I did, she was staring at me curiously.

“Hi, beauty,” I said.

“Hi.”





Epilogue


Please write a little note to Penny and Gavin on their beautiful day . . .




To the bride and groom: Even though you guys watched that video later, I don’t think either one of you saw what we saw in the psychology room all those years ago. There was something we couldn’t capture on film. Something we could all feel. You both know I’m not into that cheesy crap so it takes a lot for me to say this but . . . you two were made for each other. Love you and congrats!

—Ling

PS. Thanks for throwing the bouquet right at me and basically forcing me to catch it. Not funny.




To the bride and groom: I like seeing you guys this happy. I hope someday I get to marry my best friend.

I’m lucky I get to have you as a stepdad, Gavin.

Love you guys.

Milo




To the bride and groom: We all knew there was something there. I can’t believe you both fought it for so long. I already feel like Elodie is my new grandbaby. Thank you, Gavin, for always, always being such a wonderful addition to our family. And thank you for breathing new life into it.