I hold up my palm, letting out a snort-laugh. “Stop it. I’m not sure whether you’re digging yourself a bigger hole or telling me the most adorable thing I think I’ve ever heard.”

“Can we go for the latter?” Those dimples light up and my heart flutters at the sight.

“Damn it, Josh. You need to stop being so cute.”

He grins. “That’s a good sign, right?”

“I don’t know what it is.”

“You keep letting me kiss you. I want more than just your friendship, Delaney. You know that.”

I shrug. “I know what you think you want, but I wonder if it’s just after finding out you had a daughter you have some misguided feelings for me.”

He grasps my arms. “Nothing about how I feel is misguided. I mourned losing you for so long after you left. It feels right to have you back.”

“One step at a time. Okay?”

His loving smile makes me want to take back those words. I want to jump his bones and ride him like a rocking horse.

Get yourself together, Delaney.

“I should go,” I say.

He nods. “You’re worth the wait. I know that.”

I swallow hard.

Together, we get up and walk to the front door.

“I’ve got something for you.” Reaching into my bag, I pull out the letter. I never opened it when I got it back—there was some finality in the writing on the envelope that said gone, no forwarding address.

“What is it?”

“I’d always thought I’d give this to Melly if she ever asked about us. I had this plan to explain to her that her daddy was very famous, and that I’d tried to tell him about her, and that it wasn’t his fault that he didn’t know.” Tears well in my eyes, and I bite my bottom lip to try and stop them. “So, take this because it’s yours, and when we’re both ready, we can tell her our story.”

His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows, but he takes the envelope. “Thank you.”

"I should have tried harder to get hold of you. You just seemed so out of reach.”

His eyes turn so sad. “I probably was. My assistant helps me handle my social media, and any queries go to her and my agent first. There were barriers between us, Delaney, and I know that.”

I take a step closer. “I don’t know what this is between us. Not yet. But I wanted you to know how sorry I am for everything. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to make it up to you.”

He smiles, and takes me by the hand. “All we can do is move forward. I hope you know how much this letter means to me.”