“Sorry, sir. We can’t order off the menu.”
“What? Your father can’t get a cup of coffee?”
“I see what this fine establishment has on tap. Be right back.”
With fluid grace, Jacine walked toward the nurse’s station.
“Damn,” sputtered Franklin. “She’s asking the nurses.”
“And that’s bad?”
“Coffee is on the forbidden list for now.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. The damned nutritionist visited this morning and gave me a list of foods I can and can’t eat during my so-called recovery.”
“Care to share?”
“You don’t want to know. Anything with flavor.”
“Sounds rough.”
“My own fault,” he said. “And it makes a man think, too, about mistakes.”
“We all have regrets.”
“Yes, but I may have made a big one with Jacine.”
“How’s that?”
“I pushed her too hard, instilled this stupid work ethic in her. She doesn’t have any fun. Doesn’t see anyone outside of work.”
“Oh?”
“What happens in twenty years when she’s put all of herself into the business and none into her personal life?”
“And there’s no little Alexanders to keep grandpa busy?”
He stared at me with surprise as if I wouldn’t understand.
“My own pops been pushing me to marry. I’m not stupid. It’s not because he wants a daughter-in-law.”
“Yeah. Well, he’d have to haul his ass from Spain to enjoy a grandkid.”
“He might make the trip.”
“I’m going to ask you for a favor. I know you’re not the type of guy to settle down.”
“Wait? Are you asking me to marry you?”
“Shut up and listen. I want you to take Jacine out. Show her a good time. Let her start thinking about meeting someone.”
“You want me to act as a teaser stallion to your daughter to get her to date?” I could not believe this.
“Don’t make it sound awful. Show her a good time.”
“A good time, as in—”
