“I’m smiling. I can’t talk,” I tease. But with her hand in mine, she takes a step closer to the front of the building and stares at the sign.

At the first and only thing I’ve bought so far for my new venture.

“Jackpot?” she asks before looking at me.

“Yep. It’s a term our Rangers used to use for a mission that went perfect.”

“So the opposite of FU-Bar?”

“Polar opposite,” I say and grin.

“What am I missing?” She looks around, at the street signs to get her bearings, and at the building before her. “I’ve walked past this place before and that”—she points to the sign—“wasn’t there before.”

“You’re right. It wasn’t. The new owner put it up last week.”

“New owner?”

I nod. “You’ve been killing yourself for most of the past two years going to and from the city so I don’t have to adjust my life. But being together, sharing a life with one another, is about compromise. It’s about taking turns. It’s about trying to give more than you get.” I reach out and tuck a piece of hair behind her ear. “Here’s my compromise. My taking of turns. My giving you more than I’m getting.”

“This is yours?” she asks, eyes wide.

I nod. “It needs some love to shine bright, much like I once did and you gave me. How you helped turn my life from FU-Bar to Jackpot. We’ve applied for all the right licenses and permits. Once those come through, we’ll start renovating it and making it a sister establishment to FU-Bar.”

“How—what about FU-Bar—I mean—”

“It’s Nix’s turn to heal,” I say. “He offered to run the place, become a partner with me there, and take care of my baby for me.”

And there’s no one I’d rather turn it over to.

“What about The Center? The boys? I mean—”

“I’m a military brat, Chase. You know that. I’m used to moving, to hurting, to having to forge ahead.”

“I refuse to make you choose—”

“You’re not making me choose. I’m choosing. It’s time I build that life I was given a second chance at. Besides, I trust Ellie there. I’ll visit for events, but I can’t stay there forever. I can’t live in the guilt anymore.” I shrug, as if coming to that realization didn’t take the hours and hours of soul searching it did. “Besides, there are plenty of kids here in the city I’m sure I can help.”

I missed out on having a dad around. I missed out on learning from a good role model for a father. I’ve had plenty of practice with other people’s kids.

I want to apply that to my own family.

To the one I can’t wait to make with Chase.