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“Watch it,” I warn. “And what’s wrong with him being boring? You aren’t marrying him.”
“It’s just...it seems kind of fast, don’t you think? I don’t want Mom to end up getting hurt.”
“She’s been dating him for almost a year, I think. She’s not rushing anything except the wedding and she can do that if she wants.”
Kayla’s eyes widen. “For almost a year?”
I nod. “She told me when she started dating him, but she wasn’t ready for y’all to meet him. She wanted to be sure. Sounds like she’s pretty sure of things. If you’re really concerned, though, you need to talk to her. Not me.”
“That’s why I’m talking to you. I’m trying to figure out if I should talk to her. Logan told me to stay out of it because he doubts Mom would say yes if she didn’t want to marry him and Mom might not want me butting in.”
“You know, you should start taking Logan’s advice,” I tell her. “Trust his advice.”
“I do,” she says with too much defense in her tone. “I just like to get second opinions too much and he knows that. But now that I’ve talked to you and I know a little more about her relationship than I did before, I can follow Logan’s advice and stay out of it.”
“Good.” I don’t mind if Kayla expresses her concern, but the problem is she doesn’t always do that in the best way. I would prefer if she proceeded calmly with caution instead of going in hotheaded and overly emotional.
“I saw Jamie today. A guy asked her out. Want to know what she said?”
“It doesn’t matter what she said,” I reply, sticking my head under the hood. “We haven’t actually said we’re dating only each other. Jamie can go on a date with another guy if she wants to until it’s clearly understood that I’m her boyfriend and she’s my girlfriend.” Not that I want Jamie to go on a date with someone else, but I can’t stop her at this point either.
“You really don’t care, Dad?” I can hear the disappointment and I know if I were to look at her, I’d see it on her face. Did Jamie agree to go on the date?
It doesn’t matter.
“Nope,” I answer.
“Okay. Well, thanks for helping me with the Mom issue. And so you’re not left wondering, she turned him down and told him she’s seeing someone. She didn’t even know I was standing nearby.” Kayla rolls her eyes when I lift my head, a grin already on my face.
“Admit that you’re secretly cheering for us.” She wouldn’t have told me that if she didn’t care somewhat.
“I’m cheering for you, Daddy. I’m still undecided about Jamie.”
“That’s good enough for now.”
She finally gives me a smile and comes over to kiss my cheek. “I gotta go. There’s a house calling my name and asking me to clean it.”
I tell her I love her and to have a good day and then she’s on her way. Before, I was fairly concerned she wouldn’t come around to the fact that I’m dating someone only slightly older than her. Now, I think as long as she sees I’m happy and Jamie works her charm, Kayla will come to realize that Jamie’s a great person. She’ll be able to accept this and get over the awkwardness.
With Kayla gone, I return my focus to work with one eye on the clock. I’m actually eager to leave work. The sooner I leave, the sooner I’ll see Jamie. When I start packing up my things at a quarter til five, both of my brothers appear in the doorway with suspicious eyes.
“Is there a fire somewhere?” Ronnie asks with a laugh.
“I don’t think we’ve ever seen you leave early,” Peter says.
“Shut up and go away.”
“There’s a woman, isn’t there?” Ronnie perks an eyebrow.
“There’s a need to go home at a decent time. Isn’t that what everyone wants from me?”
“Hmm. He’s being grouchy about it. Definitely a woman,” Peter says with a smirk.
I grab my keys and push through both of them. “Lock up.”
“When do we get to meet her?” Ronnie calls out behind me. I ignore him and Peter’s laugh. Maybe if Jamie drops by soon, they’ll go ahead and get off my back. I don’t think they’ll have an issue with her age like Kayla does. That’s what I’m hoping, at least.
I text Jamie before I pull out of the lot so she knows she can come over whenever she’s ready. By the time I get home, there’s a text waiting for me that says she’ll be here soon. Knowing that, I start on dinner after a quick shower. We’re having steaks and fries. Simple, but delicious. I’m done cooking and Jamie still isn’t here. I check my phone, but no messages. Where is she? If she was goi
