Page 39 of The Long Game

"What I want for you, at the end of the day, is what’s best of you, Tucker. I always have, I always will. I also want what’s best for my daughter. You two aren’t in elementary school anymore. It took me a minute to wrap my mind around it after my assumptions about Los Angeles when I called the front desk of the resort she was supposed to be at, and they said she hadn’t checked in. Sonia let it slide that she booked Lexi a flight to LA instead, but I never asked Lexi about it, it wasn’t my business. If what’s good for you and what’s good for her just so happen to be the same thing…well kid, Sheila and I would welcome you with open arms like we always have. You’re already a son to me. It wouldn’t take any getting used to on our end. Luca, on the other hand, you’ll have to work that out on the field I suspect. Good luck."

I put my hands on my hips and stare down at the floor trying to process his advice and realize I should have asked years ago. It’s too frustrating to think of all the years I’ve missed with her. I’m liable to bust a hole in the drywall if I focus on it for too long.

I focus back on him. I need to ask a question and I need to see his answer in his face.

"How would you feel about me as a son-in-law?"

His eyebrows shoot straight up. He wasn’t expecting that, and I wasn’t expecting to ask him either.

I’m not sure what I’ll do if the answer isn’t what I hope for but his answer determines my next move.

"Well Tucker, I don’t think there is another man on this planet I trust with her more than you. Between her almost drowning at the lake house and the accident in New Orleans, I know you take her safety as seriously as I do."

"I’d die for her. And I wouldn’t think twice." I blurt it out but it’s the truth and for once, it feels good to say it out loud.

"I’m afraid it’s not me you have to convince. She’s fiercely independent these days and she showed up with a chip on her shoulder after the accident in New Orleans. You’re not a father yet but someday you will be. And if you're blessed enough to be given a daughter to care for…" He puts both hands on my shoulders now. "I hope you get the chance to look into the eyes of a man worthy of taking over your post–guarding the most precious possession you have ever received".

Tears start to well in my eyes. I’ve never consciously considered that Tom Benson wouldn’t think I was worthy of his beautiful daughter. But I guess the thought was tucked in there deep, buried by my overzealous confidence.

"So, what are you going to do now?" he asks.

"I’ve got a sister to call about a house," I say as I turn to leave.

"Smart play," he says as I walk out of his office and towards Lexi’s.

Chapter Twelve

Lexi

It’s been barely thirty minutes since Tucker was in my office. I had fallen apart after he left. Tears came quietly sliding down my cheeks before I even knew they were there.

I clean up my face, apply concealer for the bags under my eyes, reapply mascara, and add a few eye drops to take down the redness. I haven’t gotten my concentration back on the merger, but I’m at least beginning to open the email chain in an attempt to get some work done. Then a knock on the glass door startles me. Tucker stands at the opening.

He doesn’t take a step in but he can tell I had been crying, as no amount of clown makeup could ever allow me to hide from Tucker.

“Hi,” I say.

“Hi.” He takes a breath and starts again. “I want to take you out to dinner Thursday night; can I do that?”

What? I wasn’t expecting that.

“I’m not so sure that’s a great idea.”

“Twenty years, Lexi. We’ve meant something to each other for twenty long years. You don’t want something more than friends?... fine.” He flinches. “But I’m not letting you burn down the house. I won’t bring up the romantic or painful parts of our past, since you clearly want them to stay in the past. But I’d like to reminisce about the good ones, remember why we’ve always been good friends – why we still should be good friends.”

“I’m not losing you over this. I fucking refuse. I lost too much time with Luca and with you. My Great Uncle’s death is yet another reminder of what’s important. Dinner, Lex. Please?”

I contemplate for a second. He’s right on so many levels. We do mean something to each other. And not all of our history is painful.

The guilt of the injury to his knee and the hurt of seeing him with someone else has me stuck in this weird limbo. I’m too scared to move forward or backward with Tucker.

“I don’t want to lose you either,” I say finally. “Ok, dinner… but no romantic restaurants. I mean it. No Tucker- Evans-lady-slayin’ plan.”

I give him a distrusting look but his sexy smirk breaks down my walls and we both laugh.

“Ok, no ‘Tucker-Evans-Lady-Slayin’ plans’ … got it.”

He makes an imaginary note-to-self in the air and my heart flutters at his funny and sweet gestures to lighten the mood.

---