I felt a lump in my throat.
“No. She doesn’t.”
Daniel looked toward the television.
“I still don’t know how I’m supposed to feel about you two.”
“You don’t have to figure it out today.”
“What if I never get completely comfortable with it?”
“Then we’ll keep being honest with each other.”
He looked at me.
“You really love her?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re not just trying to prove something to Dad?”
I stared at him.
“Daniel, your father could move to another continent tomorrow, and I’d still want to be with your mother.”
He was quiet for a long time.
Then he nodded.
“I can’t give you permission to date her. She’s not mine to give away.”
“No.”
“But I don’t want to spend the rest of my life trying to stop her from having a life.”
My chest loosened.
Daniel leaned forward, elbows on his knees.
“I need time. And I need you not to act like everything is normal just because you two are happy.”
