We went in and I closed the door. Cara had the blinds inside her glass office door drawn, so we had privacy. Kane and I both took a chair in front of Cara’s desk and she looked between us.
“I’ve had a couple conversations with Corinne Martindale’s counsel,” Cara said. I tried to read her expression, because I could usually tell whether it was good or bad news. But I was getting nothing.
“Miss Martindale was surprised by our request,” Cara said, focusing on Kane. “She was shook up at first. I think her initial reaction was fear that you want to seek joint custody.”
“No.” Kane looked pained. “I didn’t mean to—”
“I know. And I had explained your intentions clearly. But she was still upset by it. I explained to her counsel again that this is nothing more than what it appears to be. That you’d like a meeting with your daughter, but you don’t want to upset Miss Martindale or your daughter.”
I took Kane’s hand and he squeezed mine back, hard.
“She said a visit isn’t a good idea,” Cara said softly.
I heard Kane’s deep, disappointed exhale. It was all I could do not to jump Cara. She was more tenacious than this. It was one of the reasons I’d asked her to take the case.
Cara continued. “I reminded her counsel that you’re paid to date on child support, Mr. Kane. You’ve actually paid more than you were court ordered to pay. And you’ve been a law-abiding citizen with no legal issues since your release from prison. Your parole officer vouched for you. I pretty much told her counsel they will be seeing us in court if she makes no concessions.”
“I really don’t want it to come to that,” Kane said, shaking his head. “Cori’s just looking out for Brooklyn.”
“Well, Miss Martindale came back with an offer to allow the meeting as long as she can also be present.”
Kane went still. I held my breath as I processed Cara’s words.
“That’s good,” I said softly. “That means he gets to meet her. How do you feel about Cori being there?”
I turned to Kane. He took his hand away from mine and buried his face in his hands, his elbows resting on his knees. All he could do was nod.
I smiled at Cara, tears blurring my vision. “That’s it then? Any more strings?”
She shook her head. “No. I have her phone number and we’ve agreed that a neutral location is best.”
“Got it.”
Kane’s wide shoulders were shaking now. I met Cara’s gaze and she got up from her desk and slipped out of the room, closing the door behind her.
I blinked and let my tears escape, brushing them away with my fingers. Kane was breathing deeply when I got to my knees in front of him, his chest rising and falling with each inhale and exhale. I put my hands on his forearms, needing to touch him.
“It’s happening,” I said. “You get to meet her.”
His big body shook with the effort of holding back a sob. I pulled his hands away from his face and kissed the tears on his cheeks that hadn’t disappeared into his beard yet. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to him, holding me fiercely close. I rubbed a hand over his back as he buried his face in my neck and cried.
I was in love with him. The realization hit me hard and sure. This was one of the best moments of my life, sharing something so deep and emotional with him.
“Fuck.” His voice was muffled by my hair. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize for this. It’s a huge thing, Kane. You’re meeting Brooklyn.”
He tightened his grip on me again. “I can’t believe it. I never expected this. I wanted to be able to say I tried, like you said, but . . . I can’t believe this is real.”
“It’s real. And I’m a complete puddle of feelings right now, too. I need you to come over tonight.”
“You know it. I have to make up for crying with some rough sex, baby.”