Page 63 of My Small Town Silver Fox Billionaire

I can only hope that it has something to do with Aunt Cassie being out of the picture.

I go through the motions, and when it’s time, I drive over to Pete’s Bar and Grill. This is a place Mom and Dad love, but I tolerate it at best. After I pull up and park the car, I slip inside. My parents wave the moment I walk in, and I take the open seat next to them.

“There you are,” Mom says. “Made it just in time. We were about to order without you.”

“Sorry, had a couple of commitments at work.”

“It’s fine! So . . . do we want to tell him now?” Mom asks, almost encouraging Dad to spill whatever secret there is.”

“Yes.”

Dad turns to me, his blue eyes filled with sparkle.

“Now, son, I know that you’re bent on dating that girl you took to Bermuda, but . . . I spoke with Devin, and he said Lily’s looking for a boyfriend!”

I purse my lips. I know Lily. Lily doesn’t find men attractive in the least. I shake my head, refusing to believe his words.

“That’s nice, Dad, but I’m not interested. And is this truly what you are so excited about that you summoned me to dinner?” I ask exasperatedly.Is that actually all they called me here to tell me?

Dad frowns. I know that’s the last thing he wants to hear. Then again, it’s not like I am technically dating someone.

“But Robert, I thought that—”

“I appreciate it, but I don’t want to date her. She’s a nice girl, but it’s impossible for us to be together,” I admit.

I know why they’re doing this. Lily’s father, Devin Searcy, is one of the owners of a large travel and trade business. Our family net worth would increase by millions if I married her.

I can’t, however.

Lily’s not into men. She likes women, and exclusively women. How do I know this? Well, when I was young and stupid, I asked her out. She dropped that bomb on me almost immediately.

I don’t blame her for shooting me down, and at first, it did hurt my pride. But I’d rather she hurt my pride now than lead me on for something that wouldn’t even matter in the future.

Father sighs, shaking his head. “What, is there another girl now?”

“Yes, there is,” I challenge.

The server comes by, taking our orders. He interrupts the inevitable. After he disappears, Dad glares at me, disappointed, and actually says: “Robert, I thought we both made it clear that we don’t like her.”

“Yes, you should be with someone a bit older, more refined,” Mom interjects, “and not that girl.”

I bite my tongue, knowing that they won’t let this go until I tell them the truth.

“Yes, it’s Sara. And it’s painfully obvious to both me and Sara how you feel about her.”

My father sips his wine, avoiding eye contact. He puts the glass down and folds his hands.

“Son, I get it. You’re getting older, but she’s not the right one for you.”

“And why do you say that? And what do you know about my emotions and my needs?” I ask pointedly. How could my father know anything about what’s right and what’s wrong for me?

“Because she’s so much younger than you! At least a decade or so. She doesn’t have her life together and—”

“She does, Mother,” I correct. “In fact, she’s got her life more together than most others do.”

My parents listen to my words, their expressions remaining neutral. I figure this isn’t what they want to hear, but I’m not going to sit around and allow them to slander Sara like this.

The server comes back with some rolls, interrupting the tension for but a few moments. Dad takes one of the bread pieces and eats it.

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