Free In A Heartbeat (The Shameful Regret Series) by Liz King

front door. He’s looking right at me. I maintain eye
contact with him until the doors close because I can’t look away. I’m sure it
is the last time I’ll see him, because after tonight, I can guarantee he won’t
want to see me again, that’s for sure. It is probably for the best. My heart
isn’t ready to let someone in again. I know that if Connor was to get in, he
would completely obliterate my heart, and leave me the moment he knew what I
allowed to happen all those years ago.

Chapter Nine
    Sunday morning breakfast with my father before church is a
tradition. He always picks me up, takes me to his favorite little diner for
pancakes and eggs, then we go to church together. As usual, John Michaels
knocks on my door precisely at 7:30 AM.
    I didn’t sleep well last night because I kept replaying
everything over and over in my head. One minute I was the happiest I had been
in ages, the next, I was nervous and unsure of myself again. Hopefully Daddy
won’t notice the bags under my eyes, and we can get on with our morning without
talking about it.
    John Michaels is a big bear of a man. He can always make me
feel better no matter what is going on. “Come here, baby girl! What’s got you
looking so down?” Daddy asks pulling me into a huge hug lifting me off the
ground.
    I wrap my arms around his neck and give him a big smacking
kiss on his cheek. “Just missed you, that’s all Daddy.”
    Daddy’s laugh vibrates through my chest as he sets me back
on my feet. “Missed your old man, huh? How about you feed me now. Your turn to
pay, baby girl.”
    We always say that we are going to take turns paying for
breakfast, but every time I do pay the bill, I find cash laying around my
apartment somewhere later in the day. Daddy just can’t let me try to do
anything nice for him. I’m still his “little girl” to take care of. I was
always closer to Momma growing up, but since she’s passed, I have become the
ultimate Daddy’s Girl. He spoils me rotten, and I eat up every minute of it.
    After settling into the booth at the diner, he turns to
question me again. “Look, Kara Lynae, I know when something is bothering my
child. I also know that this is more than just it being what week it is too.”
Daddy reaches over the table to take my hand in his. “Talk to me, baby girl.
You know I’ll do whatever I can to fix it.”
    I look up at my father, the man I trust the most in this
world. His kind eyes and warm smile instantly lift my spirits a little,
especially when he calls me by my full name. “Ok, Daddy. I went on a date last
night and…”
    Daddy cuts me off. “Where is this ass, and how hard to I
have to kick it? Can’t have anyone hurting my baby girl.” He says gruffly.
    “It’s not like that, Daddy. He didn’t do anything bad to me,
and I’m probably not going to see him again.”
    “Then what’s the problem? You’re upset, so he had to have
done something.”
    “The problem is I thought he was someone I could actually
like, but my nerves got the best of me, and one of his friends said something
to him, then when he tried to apologize for making me feel bad, I told him I
was fine, and I left him standing at the front of the apartment building.” I
know what I just said doesn’t really make any sense to my father, because as I
look back on the events of last night, they don’t even make sense to me. God,
I’m a mess.
    Daddy shakes his head laughing at me. “Just like your
mother. Stubborn as ever. I can tell just by listening to you, that this boy is
already inside your head.”
    What on earth is he talking about? And Connor is certainly
no boy. He is all man. “Huh? I’m confused.” I tilt my head to the side.
    “Exactly like your mother.” Daddy pats my hand then looks
over to the waitress that has come to take our order. He tells her what we both
want, because he knows that we will just get the same thing we always do
without even looking at the menu, then returns his gaze to me. “This