Page 32 of The Lake House

“Yeah, I get that, dude. Just don’t wait so long that you blow any chance you might have with her.”

That’s definitely something I don’t want to do. The next time I see her, I’ll ask her. If she says no, then I can’t say I didn’t try.

“I won’t.” I open up the email that just came through to my inbox and skim over it quickly. It’s one of our clients asking about an upcoming job. I can’t complain. There’s been so much work lately that the company is doing great. I’m so proud of what Bell Construction has become.

Roger yawns, bringing my attention back to him. “You good, bro?” he asks.

I nod. “Yeah, I’m great, but it’s time to get on the road. We don’t want to be late for our appointment.”

He shakes his head, agreeing with me. He stands up. “Okay, let me get some things situated real quick and we can head out.”

“Sounds good. I’ll meet you out front in ten.”

* * *

“Daddy, Auntie Rachel took me to get a manicure, and my nails are sparkly pink, and we’re going out for lunch to iHop and then we’re going to see the princesses! I’m having so much fun. Auntie Rachel and her friends are the best, and they like Frozen too, and I love you, Daddy, bye!”

Lily’s voice beams through the phone in excitement. I barely had my eyes open when she called.

I quickly pull my phone away from my ear to check the time. It’s just after eleven. Damn, this is the first time I’d slept in, in a long time.

“That’s wonderful, sweetheart. I love you, too.”

“She’s been so much fun; my girls are loving her,” Rachel says through the phone. I guess when Lily said bye, she handed her back her cell phone.

I clear my throat. “That’s cool. Is she behaving, though?”

Rachel dismisses me. “Pfft, she’s amazing. She’s never a problem.”

Since the wedding was right around the corner, Rachel had wanted Lily to feel comfortable around her bridesmaids, so she set up a fun girls’ weekend. She picked her up last night, where they had a sleepover at her house with pizza and spooky movies—Goofy’s Haunted House—and when Lily called me last night to say goodnight, she was just as excited as she had been right now. Today, they had gone for manicures, and next on their agenda was lunch and then Disney Princesses on Ice, which Rachel had all her bridesmaids chip in to purchase their tickets.

I’m so thankful they’re doing all these wonderful things for my little girl. I was worried when Claire first left us that Lily would miss out on all that girlie stuff, but I should have known she would be fine. Aside from Rachel, she’s always had my mother and Cheryl doing everything with her as well.

“I’m glad to hear that.” I pause for a second and then say, “Hey, Rach… thank you so much for doing this for my princess. It means a lot to her and me.”

Rachel chuckles. “Don’t start getting all sappy on me now, Mr. Bell. I love your daughter as if she were my own… well, maybe not my own, cause that would mean that you and I… Oh my God…ewww….”

We both laugh.

“No offense, Dec, you’re a great-looking dude, but you’re just not my type.”

“None taken, Rach.”

She sucks in a breath. “You know what I mean, though… She’s my niece. Blood related or not. I don’t care. I love that little girl.”

I smile. “And she loves you. But again, thank you.”

“Okay, okay. Let me get going before we start running late, and then your daughter will never forgive me.”

I chuckle. “Okay, what time should I pick her up?”

“Next week.”

I laugh again. “Seriously, Rachel. When do you guys think you’ll be done, so I know how to plan my day?”

“No idea. Maybe I’ll keep her another night. Or two.”

I roll my eyes playfully. “Alright. Keep me posted.”