I tossed the bottle in the trash can and looked up at a framed picture of Fin and me on the beach. “You want to be a part of Finley’s life? Make the effort. She’s amazing, and you’re missing it.”

“What about yours?” Again, that damned teasing little lilt of her voice had me shaking my head.

In the past, I would have said something like, “We’ll see.” I wouldn’t have shut any doors on Claire that would have given Fin a chance at having that picket-fenced family I’d mistakenly thought she was being born into. But that dream was just that—a dream. And the reality of it was that I deserved to be happy. Fin and I both did.

“Jax? Did you hear me? I asked about being a part of your life.”

“Claire, I think we both know that ship sailed a long time ago.”

She gasped. “But Jax—”

“I gotta go, Claire. If you want to call back in a few hours, Fin will be up. Bye.” I hung up the phone before she could beg me to change my mind, to assure her that we’d be waiting here with open arms if she ever decided to come back.

She’d always be Finley’s mother, but she wasn’t her mom. Not in the ways that mattered.

…

“Thank you. I really appreciate this. Sarah needed the day off,” I told Christina as I picked up Finley from her shop the next day.

“I really don’t mind,” she promised as Finley got her fingerprints all over the farthest display case in Christina’s jewelry store. “It’s honestly wonderful to have her. She sells a surprising amount of pendants. Seriously. Besides, it’s good practice for when Peter and I decide to have kids. Not that I’m in any rush for that,” she added quickly as she knocked on a piece of driftwood. “I mean, we’ve only been married a couple years. I’d like to have him all to myself for a bit longer.” Her brown eyes widened. “Not that Fin isn’t great. Shit. Did I just put my foot in my mouth?” she finished in a whisper.

“Not at all,” I said with a laugh. “I absolutely get what you’re saying.”

“Why don’t you two come over for dinner? I’m sure Peter would love to see you off duty, and I make a really awesome pizza order.”

My watch read four thirty, enough time to take Fin seashell hunting and play a round of her current video game obsession. “Thanks for the offer, but I think we’re going to head home. She’s been itching to shell hunt lately.”

“Daddy! Look at this one!” She leaned over the glass case, already on a step stool and her tiptoes.