“Go on,” Eric said. He squeezed her leg under the table.

“I’m actually a film major,” she said. Her back was ramrod straight.

Her father’s eyes brightened. “Film?”

“Yeah. I’m in history of film this semester and took intro to film last semester.”

“That’s great,” Celia said. “Don’t you think that’s great, Lawrence?”

“What do you want to do with that?” he asked. Dad mode had fled, and director mode had returned.

She hated this. This wasn’t what she’d wanted.

“I don’t know. It’s just something I’m good at,” she said offhandedly.

Eric gave her a stern look. “Bri.”

“I don’t need anyone to make a big deal out of it.”

“I was just curious,” her dad said.

“Directing, okay? I’m interested in directing, but I don’t need help, and it’s just an idea at the moment,” she said in a rush.

Her father broke out into a smile. “That’s great!”

“It is?”

“I always hoped you would be interested in directing since you never took to acting. Plus, I would never want you to get into acting. You always seemed more interested in the behind-the-scenes anyway. Makes me proud to know you want to do this, too,” he said.

His smile was broad, and she saw…admiration in his eyes.

“Really?”

“Absolutely. I understand you wanting to make it in Hollywood yourself. I was exactly the same way. But if you need something, I’m here,” he said.

“Thank you,” she breathed, relieved.

The rest of dinner went off without any more awkward exchanges. Even Pace seemed to loosen up. He still disagreed with Eric and didn’t seem comfortable, but it was the best they could get at the moment. It made her happy that not only had she been able to get everyone in one place, but they also all liked Eric, and she had even confided in her father about film. A lot of big steps in one dinner.

Her father paid the check and then drove back to the condo. Bryna had classes in the morning, so she and Eric were planning to leave early.

“Bryna, do you mind if I have a word with you before you go?” her father asked.

“Uh…sure,” she said, looking at Eric.

He smiled. “Don’t mind me. I’m going to play with Zoe.” He took her from Celia and rocked her in his arms.

Bryna’s eyes widened. She couldn’t believe how small Zoe looked in his huge arms.

“Okay. It’ll just be a minute.”

Bryna stepped out the back door with her father. It was dark and beautiful outside. The desert heat was gone and had been replaced with a nippy chill that sank into her through her shirt and skirt. But it didn’t even matter. She was out here with her dad, and she hadn’t been alone with him in a long time.

They were silent for a moment, just content with the other’s company. It had been even longer since that happened. She had always been daddy’s little girl. After the divorce and Celia, things had changed. For the first time…it almost felt like things were coming back together.

“Bryna, I want to apologize,” her father said. He turned to face her.

“For what?”

“Everything. Too much to account for, but especially for homecoming last year. Not to mention, how absent I have been from your life for the last couple of years.”

“Oh,” she whispered in shock.

“I should have been here for you. You wanted me here for homecoming and Christmas the year before. You wanted me to be there for a lot of things. I know I can’t make up for missing those things, but I want to try. I’m sorry. This isn’t the way a father treats his daughter, and I know that now.”

She didn’t have any words. She had never thought this day would come. Things were better between them, but like Bryna herself, her father was stubborn with his apologies.

“I had my head up my ass long before Olivia and I got a divorce. The baby has made me see that my priorities were all out of alignment. With Celia’s help, I realized the damage I did by not being around.” He reached out and held her hands. “I don’t want to wake up and find I don’t have my daughter anymore.”

Tears leaked from her eyes without warning. “You’ll always have me,” she whispered.

“Bryna”—he pulled her into a swift hug—“I love you, sweetheart.”

“I love you, too, Dad.”

He pulled back and wiped the tears from her eyes. “We’re going to make things right between us.”

“I’d really like that.”

“I know your mother hasn’t reached out like this, and I know we’re not on the best of terms.”

Bryna snorted.

“Not on good terms at all,” he clarified. “But I don’t wish bad things for her and you. You’re still her daughter. I don’t want to be completely selfish and keep you from her.”

“I don’t even know the last time I saw Mom,” Bryna admitted.

“She needs a push. I worry I would be in her same place if it wasn’t for Celia. Olivia might not want to see me, but I would go with you to see her if you want. I want my daughter to have a relationship with both her parents, and if you let her, one with Celia, too.”

Bryna swallowed back the tears. “You’d go see Mom with me?”

“Of course.”

“That would mean everything,” she told him.

“Then, it’s settled.”

“I’ve missed you,” she said, grabbing him for another hug.

She suddenly felt so very young, wrapped in her father’s arms. But it was right. Hearing him say that he wanted to mend their relationship meant more than the world to her. It meant she could finally start to heal.

THE HOMECOMING GAME was another impressive victory. Her father was named Alumnus of the Year, and their entire family took a picture on the field at the fifty-yard line. It was a high moment for Bryna for her college career.

Her family left on Sunday, and soon, she was back in classes again on Monday. History of film was wrapping up for the semester. She had managed to completely avoid Cam since their breakup, despite having a class together, but today, she wasn’t lucky enough.

She practically stumbled into him on her way out of the classroom. She glared at him. There was still some pretty bad bruising around both of his eyes. Not as bad as it must have been when Pace beat his face in. The bastard deserved it.

“Oh, hey,” he mumbled.

“Whatever.” She pushed past him and out the door.

He kept up with her.

She gave him a nasty look. “Back off.”

He opened his mouth to say something, but then his eyes widened. Bryna turned around to find Eric walking toward her across the quad. She had forgotten that he had agreed to meet her outside of class since they had plans. He looked pissed, seeing her with Cam.

“I don’t want to talk to you, and if people see you harassing me…” She trailed off.

He seemed to get the hint. “Fine,” he said with a shrug.

Eric stared Cam down as he quickly turned and walked away.

“What the fuck was he doing?” Eric asked.

“I don’t know, nor do I care.”

“I don’t like him near you,” Eric said.

“He won’t be near me anymore. I think Pace knocked some sense into him at least.”

“Pace did that?” he asked, gesturing to his own face.

“Yeah. He must have had two black eyes.”

“Good.”

Bryna laughed. “I’m over it. I have you, and that’s how it should be.”

“That’s right.” Eric grabbed her around the middle and kissed her hard. When he pulled back, he smiled down at her. “Are you ready?”

Her stomach flipped, and she nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

They walked over to his Jeep, and he drove her across town to a large office on the third floor of a giant complex. They entered the clean white room and were immediately greeted.