Page 132 of My All American Girl

“You’re welcome, sir. Thank you for talking to me.”

“I’ll walk you out,” I said.

I walked him to his car. He slid his arms around my waist and held me close.

“Is everything really okay?” I asked softly.

He pulled back slightly, his green eyes searching mine. “Yes, everything is really okay,” he said earnestly. “In fact, more than okay.”

“You’re sure?” I asked, trying to read him.

His smile was warm. “I’m sure,” he said firmly. “Your dad just needed time to warm up to the idea, that’s all. He was worried I was going to use you and throw you away. I assured him that was not the case.”

I nodded, feeling relief. It seemed we had finally cleared the last hurdle. Dean and my family were finally on good terms. Meg and I were good too.

“I’m glad.” I said, my voice choked with emotion.

He leaned in then, pressing his lips to mine. He pulled back a bit. “I think I disappointed him,” he said.

“What do you mean?”

“Leaving the Air Force.” He shrugged. “He assumed I was in it for the long run. Five years ago, I thought I was. But things changed. He’s always seen me as his protege, and I disappointed him.”

I laughed. “Join the crowd. There’s one thing you should know about my father.”

“What’s that?”

“He has a very, very high bar for the people he cares about,” I said. “He takes it as his personal mission to push people up and up and up. He wants everyone to be successful.”

Dean chuckled, shaking his head. “Your dad is one tough cookie, that’s for sure.”

I nodded. “Yeah, he is.” I paused, looking up at him intently. “But you didn’t disappoint him.” I reached up to cradle his face in my hands. “You’re still the person he always admired and respected. Maybe even more so now because you stood up for yourself and for us. I’m sure he’s disappointed you walked away, but I know there has been more than one time in my father’s life that he considered doing the same thing. Maybe he’s upset because he didn’t have the courage to do it himself.”

He leaned into my touch, his eyes reflecting gratitude. “Thank you,” he whispered, engulfing me in a warm hug.

We stood there for a moment, underneath the starlit sky. I was happy. Truly happy. It was almost better than flying.