liked?”
Jen laughed. “None, now that I think about it.”
“Zack is a good man. I knew that the minute I met him. I didn’t like him because he took you away from me but he also gave you a reason to stand on your own two feet. He helped you see the world differently and taught you how to love to a greater degree than I ever could. I understand that my failed marriages have tainted your view of relationships but honey…” He leaned forward and held her hand. “Don’t let my mistakes become yours. You love Zack and he loves you. And I have no doubt that he will honor and cherish you for as long as you live.”
Jen sniffed as new tears fell down her cheeks.
“What you really need to ask yourself is, are you willing to let him go? Because, he will go on and get married, he will have children and he will build that life with someone else. Are you willing to sit back and let him do that just because you’re too scared to try?”
Jen looked at her father’s eyes, the reality of what he was saying seeping deep within her. She finally shook her head
“Well then,” Roger said softly. “What are you waiting for?”
Jen grinned and then laughed. She threw her arms around her dad and hugged him tightly. “I love you so much Daddy!” she whispered.
“I love you too Jenny,” he replied as he held her.
She pulled back just enough to kiss him on the cheek before she sprang out the door and into her room to pack her things. She threw all her clothes and belongings in her suitcase with lightening speed, not bothering to organize or fold anything. She got online and bought a ticket to Boston and then called a cab service and told them to be there in ten minutes.
By the time she walked into the living room Roger was there waiting for her. “Do you need anything?” he asked.
“No, I think I’ve got everything,” Jen said, a little out of breath.
“You have money?”
“Yes.”
“You have your purse and I.D. and everything?”
“Yes.”
“Looks like you’re ready to go.” He smiled at her and his eyes twinkled.
Jen exhaled, her heart was racing but she suddenly felt bad for leaving her Father alone again. “Are you going to be okay?”
“Of course, don’t worry about me.”
“I hate that you’re here all by yourself,” she said softly.
He shrugged. “Maybe I’ll follow your example and get married again.”
That made Jen laugh. “Sixth time’s a charm eh?”
He was laughing too. “You never know.”
Jen reached for his hand. “You’re a good man Daddy.”
“That’s nice of you to say.”
“I’m a lucky girl to have a father like you.” She hugged him tightly and when she pulled back she could have sworn he wiped a tear from his eye, although she couldn’t be sure.
“I want nothing more in this world than for you to be happy,” he told her, smiling.
“I know.”
“And remember, anything that is worth having…”
“Is worth the risk of getting,” Jen finished for him. She knew that motto well.
He nodded. “You better not keep the taxi waiting.”
The two of them went down to the street together and Roger gave the taxi driver her suitcase. “Let me know when you get everything all sorted out.”
“I will.” Jen breathed in deep. “I’m so nervous Dad, what if he won’t take me back?”
Roger shook his head. “He’ll take you back. Don’t worry about that.”
Jen gave her father one last hug before opening the taxi door, but turned when her father spoke again.
“If you tell Zack I like him, or that I said anything nice about him, I’ll most emphatically deny it.” His voice had reverted back to the gruff, lawyer tone she knew so well.
Jen tried to suppress the grin that threatened to spread across her face. “Fair enough.” She got into the cab and it pulled away. As they headed toward the airport she tried to steady her breathing. The drive seemed unusually long and Jen nervously chewed on her fingernails until they reached their destination.
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