Then she turned to me. “Robert.”
“Maya.”
Her eyes moved over my suit. “You look tired.”
“Fifteen years of parenting will do that.”
Harry shifted behind her.
Maya’s smile tightened. “Don’t start t
Maya touched Adele’s cheek.
“I wasn’t planning to.”
“This is Adele’s wedding.”
“I know. That’s why I’m here.”
Her eyes sharpened. “You always were good at making yourself look noble.”
My jaw tightened.
Adele looked at me over Maya’s shoulder.
Not yet.
So I swallowed the answer I wanted to give.
“This is Adele’s wedding.”
***
The ceremony started soon after. Adele looped her arm through mine, and for a second, I saw the girl from the stairs again.
“You’re squeezing my hand, Dad,” she whispered.
The doors opened, and everyone stood.