Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“Good.”
“Can I stay tonight?” He always asked.
“Of course.”
As we walked hand in hand to the front door, I found myself thinking about walls and wondering if I’d be wise to build some.
SEVENTEEN
dash
Thursday morning, I got up early with Ari, kissed her goodbye, and headed home. My dad was in the kitchen having coffee and mentioned he was heading to the gym soon, and I decided to join him. On the ride there, I asked again about his trip to Tennessee and his friend who lived there, but he gave vague answers that didn’t reveal much and kept trying to change the subject. Finally, I decided to be blunt.
“Dad, is the friend you went to visit a woman?”
He shifted uncomfortably in the passenger seat. “Yes.”
“A single woman?”
A pause. “Yes.”
“And you enjoy each other’s company?”
“Yes. But we’re just friends.”
I had to smile. “I think that’s great, Dad. Friends are the best.”
“Yeah.” He seemed to relax slightly. “This friend, she . . . she’s someone I really like and admire.”
“Yeah?” I drove a little slower, wanting to give my dad the time he needed to talk. “Tell me about her.”
“Well, she’s full of energy. She’s kind. She loves to laugh.” He chuckled. “She thinks I’m funny.”
I grinned. “Is she pretty?”
“She’s beautiful. Really beautiful.” He was silent a moment. “She’s nothing like your mother, though.”
“That’s okay, Dad. The only thing that matters is that you like her and enjoy spending time with her.”
“I do. I think for a long time I just didn’t see the point in spending time with anyone because I was never going to feel for anyone else the way I felt about Susan. But Julia, she . . . she understands that. It’s okay with her.”
“That’s her name? Julia?”
“Yes. She’s actually Kelly’s mom. Xander’s Kelly. Which makes it even more complicated.”
“I don’t think so,” I said, relieved to have this out in the open. “Xander once mentioned that Kelly’s dad wasn’t the greatest.”
“He wasn’t. Isn’t.” My father exhaled. “But he doesn’t come around much anymore.” He lifted his chin. “Kelly deserved better. They both did.”
I turned into the gym parking lot and found a spot. “Kelly and Xander will both be thrilled about you and Julia spending time together. I know it.”
“We decided to keep it between us at the start, just because we weren’t sure how it was going to go.” My dad lifted his cap off his head and replaced it. “It took me by surprise, that feeling. Being attracted to someone. Wanting to know her better. Wanting to be alone with her.”
I hid a smile at the color creeping up his neck. “I get it, Dad. And I don’t mean to rush you. I’ll keep this between us if you’d like, but I know for a fact everyone you care about will be happy for you. We’ve been hoping for this for years.”
“I know,” he said. “I just never thought I would find someone like Julia.” His voice took on a reverential tone. “She’s so sweet and understanding. Plus, she’s spontaneous and fun. She’s always up for anything.”
“She sounds wonderful, Dad. I can’t wait to meet her.” I killed the engine. “Here’s an idea. Why don’t you bring her to Devlin’s wedding?”
“Oh, I couldn’t do that,” he said quickly.
“Why not? I’m sure she could jump on a flight later today. Or early tomorrow, even. The wedding isn’t until Saturday.”
He rubbed his chin. “But Kelly won’t even be there. Won’t that be strange?”
“Actually, Dad, Kelly is going to be there. She’s flying in today to surprise Xander. She canceled a private concert to be with him.”
My dad laughed. “That’s just like her! Julia is like that too. Always doing something for people she cares about.”
It reminded me of what Ari had said the other night. It’s about what we’ll do for the people we love.
“I guess I could ask Julia if she’d like to come,” he mused. “If you think it would be okay with everybody.”
“It will be more than okay, Dad. Everybody will be thrilled.” We got out of the car and walked toward the gym entrance. “Thanks for telling me about her.”
“You’re welcome. I have to admit, it feels good to get it out there. I didn’t much like hiding what I was doing.” We reached the door and I pulled it open for him. But instead of going in, he stopped and gave me a pointed look, his eyes dark and wise. “So when are you going to stop hiding what’s going on with Ari?”
My jaw ticked. “Huh?”
“You heard me.”
I nodded toward the open door. “Just go inside and work out.”
“What, you can ask me all about my lady friend, but I can’t inquire about where you’ve been spending your nights for the last week, sneaking in early like a cat burglar?”
“That’s right.”
He chuckled and patted my arm. “It’s fine, son. I don’t need to run inside a burning building to know it’s hot. I can see the flames from here.”