“I know it’s not the same, Dad, but do you remember after Hollis, when you told me not to block my heart from love?”
“I did, and I meant it.” He looks over in earnest. “Being mistreated by someone you trusted can leave long-term wounds. I didn’t want your beautiful heart marred by a man who never deserved it. I’m thankful you were able to leave him, Ray. Seeing you in a sleeveless dress, not hiding your skin or yourself… that’s the best thing I could ask for. You’ve grown so much, baby.”
He cups my cheek. “You know what you want. And you’re going after it. You don’t have to worry about your old man. My heart isn’t closed. I loved your mother with everything in me. I’m not afraid of loving like that again, I just haven’t felt it. And I’m okay with that. I don’t need marriage to have a good life.”
“So, you’re asking me to stop badgering you?”
“Not in those words.” He smiles. “But yes, you could ease up on the push.”
“Okay.” I smile back. “I’ll stop being the overbearing daughter.”
“You’re not that,” he says, handing me the spatula. “Might be projecting a little, though.”
“Yeah… probably,” I admit, scooping crispy rice from the skillet onto the plates. “I don’t need a man to be happy, but I love the idea of that exclusive union. It’s not just the paper or the ceremony—it’s about choosing each other.”
He nods. “You’ll find that with the right man. And he’ll be damn lucky to have you.”
Dinner is delicious, and the conversation flows. Dad and I never run out of things to talk about, from politics, town gossip, to his latest book. The retelling ofRapunzel,where box braids are her strength. I love that.
Once the kitchen is cleaned and I add a splash of brandy to our coffees, we move to the back deck. It’s cooler now with the sun sinking into the horizon. As we settle on the cushioned wicker chairs, I light a citronella candle, watching its small flame dance against the coral sky.
Dad takes a bite of the loaf and closes his eyes. “You outdid yourself with this one.”
“You say that every time.” I laugh, sipping my carajillo. It’s the same exact recipe, but Dad is my biggest fan, no matter what. So… here goes.
I set my mug down. “Dad?”
“Yeah?” He glances at me with a contented sigh.
“You said earlier that I’ll find the right man.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“I think I have.”
He blinks, caught off guard. “You’re seeing someone?”
“For several weeks now.”
“Why haven’t you mentioned him before?”
“We’ve been keeping it on the low.”
He sits up now, his posture snapping from curious to protective in a single second.
I take a breath before letting the truth surface. “I wasn’t at The Aqua last weekend. I was with him at a rented house in Grove Cove. I’m sorry I lied to you. We promised to always be honest with each other, and I broke that.”
He nods, accepting the weight of my apology. “Is it Dakarai Ramos?”
I freeze. There are only the sounds of the crickets chirping, the squeals of children playing a few yards away, and my heart pounding.
“I felt something between you two at The Ship Mate,” he adds.
“We weren’t together then,” I tell him everything—meeting a month ago through the app, the insane coincidence at Diablo’s office, not being able to fight what was building. “We’re falling in love.”
He shakes his head. “Ray, the man doesn’t just work for Diablo—he’s running his campaign. Against you.”
“You knew that when you wanted to invite him to dinner.”
