AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I narrow my eyes. “You okay?”
“Of course, I am,” he says with a scoff. He pinches the curtain and looks through it. “Amy’s right. He does look nervous.”
“I wouldn’t talk. That’s going to be you soon.”
Dad flushes deep crimson. “Don’t say it so loud.”
“No one is around!” I say with a laugh.
My father runs his hand through his grayish-blonde locks. “You sure you’re comfortable with me proposing at your wedding?”
I grin. I couldn’t think of a more perfect day for my father to propose to Victoria than the last Solace girl wedding. The two of them have been dating since the week after Dana and Drew’s wedding. Amidst all the drama with my preterm labor, Dad was able to sweep under the rug that Victoria and him nearly kissed on the dance floor.
Sounds familiar.
A week later, Victoria abandoned a photoshoot in Buenos Aires to come all the way back to Burbank where she marched up to Dad’s door and demanded, and this is, quote, “Either do something or stop looking at me with stars in your eyes.”
Needless to say, he did something about it.
When he finally told us, no one was shocked, including Grant who had gone from disdaining his best friend dating his younger sister to quietly rooting for Dad to make a move.
Now, they’ve been together for a year and it’s time Dad puts a ring on it.
“I won’t make it a big thing,” he says. “It’ll be private, just me and her, but I don’t want to steal any of your spotlight.”
I rub my dad’s arm. “Since when have I been concerned with anyone stealing my spotlight?”
I’ve come into my own the past two years, that much is true. No longer do I think I’m the quiet, mousey, forgettable Solace sister. But I haven’t transformed into some social butterfly. I’m still me. I’m just more comfortable with it now.
I have Orlie to thank for that.
“Ma! Ma!”
And Owen.
My baby grabs me by the cheeks.
“You want a kiss, don’t you?” I give him several smooches and he is sated, resting his head on my shoulder, his dark baby hair skimming my skin. “God, why don’t they stay this small?”
Dad wraps his arms around me and Owen, nuzzling my hair softly. “Now you understand why I’ve been a wreck the past four years.”
We remain there for a long moment until the wedding planner pops his head in and whispers. “Ready?”
“Ready as I’ll –” I start, taking a step forward.
Dad jerks me back. “Wait a second –”
I look back at him; there’s something in his eyes. That’s tremoring, fighting to be spoken. I glance at the wedding planner. “Just another minute?”
He does his best not to roll his eyes. “I’ll try and stave off any whispers of a runaway bride.”
I laugh. “Thank you.” If anyone would think for a second I’d run away from today, they don’t know me at all.
“Dad, what’s going on?”
He takes a deep breath. “I have something that’s been on my mind and I wanted to wait to tell you girls until after your wedding, but I can’t keep it in and you’re the only one I know who can keep a secret so –”
I furrow my brow. “Is something wrong?”
