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Not a fan of Mason Lowe’s logic, I said, “Don’t even finish that sentence. I might not share the same plumbing as Mom, but I have just as much insight into her tastes as Bella does, damn it. Some might say I have more insight because I’m a hell of a lot more like her than Bella is. I should’ve been called first.”
“Well, if you have more insight into her than your sister does, then you should be able to tell me—”
“Oh, hell no. I’m not telling you anything now. If you were so bent on calling Bella first, then you can just use what she said for gift ideas.”
I could practically hear him rolling his eyes through the receiver. “You and your sister are way too competitive about some very superficial, trivial matters, you know that?”
I blinked. “So?”
What was his point?
“So…” he growled. “Let it go already and focus on my problems here. And as I was saying—before you interrupted—that I’ve been married to Reese for almost thirty years now, and I’ve already gotten her everything she’s ever asked for. I’ve thrown parties for her, taken her on trips, built her a new house, heaped jewelry, clothes, gift cards, and everything else under the sun on her. Hell, we’re even up-to-date on all our household appliances, for God’s sake. And the woman hasn’t given me one single clue about anything she wants. What’s worse, she says no to everything I suggest. She’s good, she tells me. No, thanks. I mean, what the hell, Gray? What am I supposed to do with No, thanks, I’m good?”
Having mercy because the poor guy really did sound desperate, I said, “Have you considered the possibility that she just might not want anything new this year? Maybe she doesn’t want to do anything extravagant or go anywhere big, or even want to be reminded of how old she’s getting. She might just prefer a simple, cozy night in. Like you said, she already has it all. So you did your job; Mom is satisfied. Pat yourself on the back.”
“Bite your tongue,” Dad snarled. “I have to do something. This is an important day for me. It’s the anniversary of when my favorite person on earth entered this world. I’m not going to just blow that off like it’s nothing. Reese deserves—”
“Dad,” I said quietly. “Do you realize you just said it was an important day for you?”
“I…” He paused a moment. “I did,” he finally admitted. “Holy hell, I did, didn’t I?”
I nodded. “Yeah, you did. So maybe you should stop making it about you, and think about her for a minute.”
When he didn’t reply, I winced, beginning to worry I’d offended him. But then a deflated sigh hissed through the phone. “I thought I was thinking about her,” he murmured, “but you’re probably right.”
“You spoil her like crazy, Dad. And that’s a good thing. I think it’s just left her not needing anything else for a while. And honestly, I know nothing would make her happier than just spending a quiet evening with her favorite person on earth. And I’m talking about you—not me—if you were curious.”
“You honestly think that’s all she wants?” His voice was full of doubt but also hope that he was finally getting somewhere.
I chuckled and opened the door to my car. “I don’t know, Dad. You know her better than I do. What do you think?”
“I think I raised a pretty bright kid.”
Grinning, I answered, “Hell yes, you did.” Making my way toward the entrance of the theater, I glanced toward a group of people ahead of me, already at the doors and entering. A lone woman was approaching from the right, and at first, I thought she was with their party, just lagging behind, but when I focused on her, I could tell she was slowing her step to keep herself apart from them.
And son of a bitch!
I’d know that perky blond ponytail and familiar walk anywhere.
Stopping in my tracks, I blurted, “You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me right now.”
Of course, she’d show up here. That was just my luck.
“What?” Dad asked in my ear.
I jumped because I’d forgotten I’d been talking to him.
“What?” I repeated stupidly, turning and stepping behind a huge van so Yellow wouldn’t spot me if she for some reason glanced my way.
But seriously, what the hell was she doing here? She wasn’t supposed to be here. This was my theater now.
“Gracen? You okay, bud?”
“Huh?”
Shit. Dad. Right.
I shook my head, getting back on track. “Sorry. I, uh, yeah. I’m fine. I just saw someone I wanted to avoid. No biggie.”
