Page 81 of My Silver Lining

“I like her. She’s great.”

He narrowed his gaze. “You seem different with her than I’ve ever seen you with anyone before. You two have a comfort with one another, and it’s refreshing.”

“Yeah. I’d say she’s become a good friend, as well.”

“That’s an important part of a relationship,” he said.

“It can’t go anywhere, Dad. If that’s what you’re asking, this thing has an expiration date, and we’re both very aware of that.”

He nodded. “Feelings don’t expire, son. So if you are as crazy about her as I think you are, don’t hold back. It doesn’t come around more than once in this lifetime, so my advice would be to make sure you put it all out there while you have the chance.”

I scratched the back of my neck. “Not everything is that simple.”

He grabbed my hand that rested on the table and covered it with his. His calloused hands were a reminder of how hard this man had worked all of his life. “Things are only complicated if you allow them to be. Love is simple. You either love someone or you don’t. And if you do, you figure it the hell out. Life is complicated enough. If you’re lucky enough to go through it with your favorite person by your side, everything will always be fine.”

I chuckled. “You are one sappy old bastard today.”

“Well, it’s Valentine’s Day, and this is the day that I told your mother that I loved her for the first time. So we celebrate that every single year.” He clapped the top of my hand, just as my mother came through the door.

Of course, she gushed over her flowers, even though I brought them year after year.

We visited for a little bit, and I headed out the door.

I worked remotely this morning, and I was still flying high from my meeting yesterday, where I signed a new client.

A client that would make it so breaking off on my own someday, maybe in a year or two, would be possible.

I had just enough time to get home and showered before dinner with Lulu.

When I pushed the door open, I heard the music blasting from her room, and I hurried to my room to catch a shower.

Once I was out and dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a black sweater, I glanced at my watch. We were right on time.

I sent a text to Dolly Rogers to let her know we’d be heading there soon. She replied and told me everything was set, and her son, Jacob, who’d I’d paid very generously to serve dinner, was already there waiting for us.

I came out to the kitchen to find Lulu standing with her back to me. She had a black sweater that hung off one shoulder, exposing that golden skin of hers, along with baggy faded jeans and high-heeled boots. Her wrists were covered in bracelets, and she turned around to find me staring.

“Hey, you look handsome.”

“Hey yourself, beautiful. You ready?”

“Yes. You’ve been very mysterious about tonight, Rafael.” She grabbed her red purse off the counter and followed me to the door.

I helped her into the truck and drove the short distance to the dance studio, parking in the back. She glanced out the window, looking for hints, but the lot was on the back side of the building, so she wouldn’t figure much out just yet.

I helped her out of the truck, and we walked around the building to the front door, where she paused when she saw the sign.

“We’re going to a dance studio?” She quirked a brow.

“Is that what this is?” I asked, my voice teasing, as I pulled the door open and then locked it behind us.

Her hand was tucked in mine, and the place was dark, just as I’d requested.

“Are we supposed to be here?” she whispered.

I didn’t answer as I walked her through the front lobby and down the hallway, pushing the door to the studio open. The room had several fake trees covered in twinkle lights, with large floor lanterns and white candles spread throughout the large space to light it up. There was a table in the center, set for two, and I walked her over.

“What is this?” she whispered.

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