For a moment, she takes my breath away. I pride myself on having a decent memory, but all I can recall from that day is how nervous I was, and how good it felt to kiss her.

“Josh, maybe we weren’t together, but you have always been a part of Amelia in more ways than just biological. I made sure of that.”

“Why do you call her Melly then?”

Delaney grins. “She couldn’t say Amelia when she was little. It frustrated her that I called her that when she called herself Melly. So, I adopted it and it stuck.”

“It’s cute, but I think I’m gonna stick with Amelia.”

“She’ll love it and hate it all at the same time. I usually call her by her proper name when she’s in trouble.”

I try my best mock-horror face. “Why would my little girl ever get into trouble?”

Delaney laughs. “Oh, you just wait.” She pauses. “Maybe tomorrow we can tell her you’re her father.”

I look at her for the longest time. This is what I want more than anything, but I trust her to make the decision about telling Amelia the truth. “Are you sure?”

“Regardless of what happens between us, she deserves to know.” Delaney places her palm on my chest. “But we’ll also have to prepare her for when you leave. It’s important that she not wake up one day to find you gone.”

I squeeze her arm. “We’ll work together on it. You’ll have to help me with this parenting thing.”

She sighs. “I’m not sure I’ll be any help. She’s five and I’m still fluking my way through it.”

“Your letter said your mother kicked you out. I hate that she didn’t help you.”

“I had Pania’s mother. She was my day care while Pania and I studied, and she took on the role of grandmother. I’m not sure what I would have done without her.”

I stroke her arm. She should never have gone through it alone. While she was doing that, my career was starting. If I could, I’d have given it all up to be with her and Amelia.

It’s not too late for us, but I missed so much.

“Is she here in town? I’d like to meet her.”

Delaney shakes her head. “When I turned twenty-one, I got my inheritance from my grandmother. She left me part of the profit from the sale of her house. So, I ended up finding a run-down diner in a small town, and the rest is history.”

I close my eyes, nuzzling her temple. “Why here?”