Page 139 of Against the Clock

“You look beautiful, Kelsey girl,” he says, beaming at me.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” I tell him, then wrap him in a hug. “You look great.”

He’s wearing a suit, his hair brushed neatly, mustache and beard trimmed up. His eyes have the sparkle I remember from when I was little, and he looks and seems younger these days. I hope it sticks, even though the doctors have warned us that he’ll have bad days, too.

“I am so excited that you’re being honored today, Dad. I’m so proud of you.” I still don’t quite understand what they’ve told me about the event tonight, and I’ve been too busy with work to do much research, but I’m happy to get dressed up and go into Philly for it with them tonight. I’ve been looking forward to it all month.

“You look stunning, Kelsey,” my mom says, blotting her eyes with a tissue.

“Mom, don’t cry,” I tell her, then pull her into a hug too. “You look gorgeous. I love that color on you. I’m sorry Daniel can’t make it tonight.”

“Oh, I’m sure he’s busy.”

My nose wrinkles because my dad’s right. Daniel’s been very busy since retiring, busier than I expected. Between physical therapy and doctor appointments and whatever it is he’s doing for his agent, we’re lucky to see each other on the weekends and at night.

I’m so glad I decided to move in with him. I’ve loved every second of it, except for that one night I finally told him if he didn’t start putting his socks in the dirty clothes hamper I would lose my mind. But even that wasn’t a big deal, he just gave me a kiss and told me he’d do better.

And he did.

We load up into my car, my parents sitting in the back, making me feel a little bit like a chauffeur, but they’re so cute, holding hands and chatting the whole ride, that I can’t be mad.

“What’s the address again?” I ask, and my dad rattles off a number on Broad Street. I throw it into my maps app at a red light, and confusion fizzles through me as I stare at it. “It’s at the Masonic Temple?” I ask, biting back a laugh.

“Yeah,” my dad gushes. “It’s one of the most beautiful places in Philly, in my opinion. Your mom and I took an online tour before we decided on it.”

“Before we came up, your dad means,” my mom says softly.

My dad just laughs at his slip and I frown, trying to push down my concern.

“They have valet parking,” my dad offers helpfully. “I’ll pay for it.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that, Dad. I can walk.”

“You can, but I’m old. I don’t want to walk, I want to valet,” he insists. Stubborn as ever.

“Okay,” I fold easily. Why not? Valet is nice. Plus, I know exactly where to expect this valet. “You know, Daniel took me here for a date once.”

“Oh,” my mom says, a wistful expression on her face in the rearview mirror. “Was it so romantic?”

“Well, it should have been.” I laugh at the memory. “It was pretty weird. It will be nice to have a lowkey night here and enjoy the building with you guys,” I tell them.

“Lowkey,” my dad says, practically bubbling with excitement.

“Well, not for you,” I manage, laughing as I turn onto Broad Street. “You’re one of the guests of honor.”

“That’s right.” My dad practically preens.

Finally, we’re in front of the old stately building, along with a line of cars waiting to valet. To my surprise, there is also a news truck from my station.

“Is that Cameron?” I say, spying my dark-haired friend, mic in hand, looking glammed up and gorgeous.

“Pull up, honey, it’s your turn,” my dad says, too cheerfully.

I narrow my eyes at him in the rearview, suspicion rising. “What’s going on?”

“You’ll see,” he crows.

“Mom?” I ask, but she just mimes zipping her lips.

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