She laughs. “Girl, shut the fuck up and get to the romance.”

“He made me a toasted sandwich for dinner.” I raise my head. “He burned the bread a little, but it was the best toasted sandwich ever.”

Pania cocks her head. “So, not much of a cook.”

“He never was, but he tried.”

“And then?”

“Then we sat in front of this ridiculously big television and watched his first movie.”

She smiles. “Did you just watch the movie?”

“No?” I shrug. “And then before I left, I gave him the letter I wrote him where I told him he was going to be a father.”

Her mouth falls open. “You kept that?”

“I always thought it was an important part of Amelia’s story. Now it’s in the hands of the person it was meant for.”

“It’s good of you to do that.”

I let out a sigh. “It felt right. We don’t have much time before he leaves again.”

“But he’ll come back.”

“Will he? Or will he move on with his life once he leaves?”

Pania’s eyes fill with sympathy. “Oh, honey. I’m sure he won’t. Tonight meant something.”

“I’ll be okay. I just worry about letting Melly down.”

“Delaney, you could never let that girl down. Everything you’ve done for the past six years has been for her. You’ve taught her to be strong, and she’ll roll with the punches just like you had to.”

I lean back on the couch. “I never wanted there to be any punches. It was bad enough she was growing up without her dad. That’s the one thing I never wanted for her.”

“I know, but her dad’s here now, and it looks like he wants to be a part of her life. So that’s something, isn’t it?”

Meeting her gaze, I smile. “You’ve become his biggest fan.”

She grins. “I just love seeing the difference in you when he’s around. You practically floated through that door tonight.”

“He makes me happy. I can’t deny that.” I let out a happy sigh. “And it’s not because he’s Josh Carter, movie star. It’s because he’s the Josh I fell in love with in the first place. Even down to the slightly burned toasted sandwiches.”

She places her hand on my arm. “And there it is. You look better than you have in years, my friend. He’s still the one.”

“You know, I think he is.”

My heart races at a sudden heavy knock on the door.

“Who on earth is that at this hour?” I stand, and cross the room.

“Delaney, it’s Josh. I need to see you.”

I swallow, turning back to look at Pania. “I guess he read the letter.”

Pania waves franticly. “Don’t just stand there. Open it.”