Oh, God, she’d totally blown it.
He squeezed her hand. “Abi—”
“Hey, Del, there you are,” Tony, one of the other groomsmen, called from the glass door leading out to the courtyard. “Kurt needs us. The toasts are about to begin.”
His jaw clenched and for a moment she thought he was going to ignore Tony. Then he glanced over to the other man.
“Thanks. I’ll be right there.”
He turned back to Abi and squeezed her hand. “I have to go. We’ll talk later, okay?”
Her stomach clenched. That would be when he’d let her down easy.
“Yeah, of course. I should go back in now, too.”
* * *
As she walked back into the ballroom, Abi saw her dad standing off to the side of the bar gazing out the window. She drew in a breath and walked toward him.
He saw her coming and smiled.
“Hi, Dad.”
“Hi, sweetie. Would you like me to get you a drink?”
She glanced at the long line and shook her head. “No, thanks. I just wanted to say that I’m sorry I disappeared like that. I’m a bit emotional right now.”
His gaze dropped to her stomach and she was taken aback.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Dad. I’m not pregnant.”
His gaze jerked back to her face.
“No … of course not.” He cleared his throat. “So why are you emotional?”
“It’s just with Kurt’s wedding and so many family and close friends coming together…” She shook her head. “Look, you and I don’t see each other much and I don’t want to ruin our time together.”
“Me, either, sweetie. I’m sorry I came on so strong.” He opened his arms and she stepped into them, loving the big bear hug he gave her. Like when she was little.
“I know you’ve got your life under control,” he continued. “I hate to see my baby hurting, so sometimes I open my big mouth when I shouldn’t.”
An apology? From her father? That was new. Sally really was a good influence on him.
He kissed the top of her head, like he used to when she was a girl. “And when I thought there for a minute that you might be … you know…”
“Pregnant? No, I get it, Dad. It’s not like I haven’t done it before. And I know how disappointed you were in me. But you know I can’t…” The words choked off.
He held her tighter. “I know, baby. It’s just that for a split second there … I was hopeful.”
She drew back and stared at him, her jaw dropping open.
“You were?”
He nodded, sadness in his eyes. “I know how much you want a baby. And … I’d love to be a granddad again.” He shrugged. “I guess I still want to believe in miracles.”
He reached for her hand and held it snug in his.
“And you never disappointed me,” he continued. “All I’ve ever wanted is for you to be happy. And if I sometimes think your choices aren’t leading you that way…” He squeezed her fingers in his grip. “I speak up. But you’re a grown woman and I trust you’ll find what you’re looking for.” He grinned. “After all, you’re stubborn like me.”
She laughed. “I am that.”
“And like your old man, if life throws obstacles in your path, then you’ll find a way around them and keep on going. Like when you went back to finish your master’s.”
“And when you went after Sally.” She smiled and glanced to the table where Sally was watching them with a smile. “She’s really great, Dad, and I’m glad to see you so happy.”
She leaned in and gave him a kiss. “Now maybe we should both go sit with her,” she said. “I heard that the toasts are going to start any minute.”
“That’s a great idea.” Then he pulled her in for another hug. “You know, Abi, I’m really very proud of you.”
Her heart flip-flopped. “Thanks, Dad.”
* * *
Liam sipped his drink as he watched Abi sitting at the table, laughing with her father and stepmother. He wished that he and Abi could get past their problems as easily as she and her father had.
The music had started and the crowd was dancing. Liam stood near the back of the ballroom, feeling like an interloper at this family gathering. Kurt strolled to his side, having gotten a drink from the bar himself.
“Why don’t you go ask her to dance?” Kurt asked. “Then you can talk to her.”
Liam shrugged. “I’ve already talked to her this weekend. She’s not really interested in anything I have to say.”
“Hey, man, I know you’re not a quitter. Surely you’re going to try harder than that.”
He turned to Kurt, glad to have him on his side, but knowing he understood Abi better in this than her brother did.
“We both know that Abi is stubborn,” Liam said. “You like to challenge that stubbornness head-on, but in this, I think I need to give her some more time.”
“Yeah? And how’s that been working for you?”
Liam frowned.
“As for giving her time, I think you might be running out.”
Liam turned to see Del walking toward Abi’s table.
* * *
Abi glanced up as Del approached. Would he take her aside and have that chat with her now?
Her stomach clenched. She really wasn’t up to having Del reject her, no matter how gently he did it. She had so hoped that this weekend would end in her turning things around between them. Convincing him that they could become much more than friends.
“Good evening, Frank. Sally,” Del said, nodding to her dad and stepmother.
“Hello, Del. Good to see you.” Dad stood up and shook Del’s hand. “Are you going to join us?”
“Actually, I came to ask Abi to dance.” He turned to her and held out his hand. “Abi, would you dance with me?”
She took his hand and stood up. “Yes, of course.”
He led her to the dance floor, then he turned to her and slid his arm around her waist. The feel of his big, hard body close to hers, his heat melting through her, made her breath catch. He began to move to the music, guiding her
