jealousy.” He shook his head in disgust. “I had a lot of growing up to do.”
Cara put her cup down and leaned in toward him. “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Dad.”
“No. I have to. You see, sweetie, your mother taught me a great deal about what being a real grown up means, and because of her I’ve changed a lot over the past few months.”
“What did you learn?”
A waitress walked over to the table. “I’m not staying,” Vinnie said. She nodded and walked away.
When she was out of earshot, he continued. “Marriage is ninety-nine percent compromise. It wasn’t until we separated that I realized I never did any of that. Your mom was always the one to give in and I’m surprised she put up with me as long as she did.”
Cara’s eyes grew wide. “You still love her.”
Vinnie swallowed hard. His daughter was wise beyond her years, just like her mother. He nodded.
“Dad, you need to tell her.”
He put up his hand to stop her. “Today is about you and Dan.”
Cara heaved a deep, tired sigh, but her face was filled with hope. “I love him, Daddy.”
“I know you do. And he loves you too.”
“Really?”
He reached across and took her tiny hands in his. “I can tell by the way he looks at you whenever you enter a room, watches you the whole time you’re with him, and holds your hand when you sit beside him.”
The same way he felt about Missy.
“That is a forever kind of love you may not find again.”
She rummaged through her purse. “I have to call him.”
Vinnie nodded. As he watched his daughter walk outside to call her future husband, melancholy washed over him. He’d made so many mistakes with Missy. Rolling his wrist to check his watch, he paid his daughter’s check and strode out to his car. If he didn’t get a move on, he’d be late to walk his little girl down the aisle.
****
When Cara returned to the house two hours later, complete with honeymoon luggage, wedding gown over one arm and a big smile on her face, Missy thought she might do a cartwheel. After helping her carry everything inside, she hugged Cara.
“So, the wedding is on?”
Cara nodded. “I’m sorry for all the craziness, Mom.”
Missy closed the front door. “We’re all allowed to be crazy on our wedding day.”
Cara slipped out of her jacket. “Dad really knows what he’s talking about.”
Missy froze. “Huh?”
“Dad. He came and found me at the coffee shop.”
“He did?”
“Yup. He told me how important compromise is in a marriage, so I called Dan, who was just as upset as me, and we talked. He apologized for walking out and promised me he’d never do that again. We agreed to talk everything through no matter what.”
Missy slipped onto a chair. Vinnie talked to Cara about compromise?
Cara pulled up another chair and sat beside her. “He still loves you, Mom.”
Missy’s head snapped up. “What?”
Her daughter nodded. “Do you still love him?”
Missy’s mouth dried to dust. “Today is your day.”
Cara pressed her. “Mom. Please.”
“Yes.”
“Great. You’ll compromise and everything will be okay.” Cara turned toward the table where her wedding gown lay covered in a large white plastic bag. “Let’s take this upstairs to let any wrinkles fall out.”
Missy smiled. “Okay.”
They ascended the staircase.
“Mom! The banister looks beautiful! Did Linda call? What time is she coming to do my hair?”
“She’ll be here at noon.”
Missy followed Cara into her old bedroom, relieved her daughter was so caught up in the excitement of her day that she let the subject of she and Vinnie drop.
****
“Hurry, Mom. It’s five o’clock!”
“It’s tradition for the bride to be reasonably late.” Missy held her daughter’s train as they climbed into the sleek black limousine waiting for them at the curb in front of the house.
Cara inhaled from her bouquet. “These are beautiful roses, Mom.”
“I’m glad you like them.”
“The house looks perfect. I
Tony Daniel
Sienna Mercer
Sara Polsky
Alexa Davis
Lucy Kevin
The Mistress of Rosecliffe
Sten Nadolny
Stella Rae
Marie Stewart
James Bowen