“How about this: you said the ones you want have sticky notes on them, right?”
She nods.
“I’ll load them up and bring them to your office. Then we can go eat and talk.”
She throws her arms around my neck and hugs me tight. “Thank you!”
I know how much her family means to her, and I have no idea what she’ll do if her father and brothers really don’t approve of our relationship. But she deserves to know what’s on my mind and think things through before she has to face them.
A couple of hours later, the merchandise is loaded in the back room of her office. I put the last box down and turn to see her lining the empty goodie bags on the long tables set up along the wall by the new window in the back.
As if sensing my gaze, she turns. “Lucas?”
“Yes?”
“I was thinking. Maybe we can order in food and fill goodie bags while we talk? Kaylee texted me that her sister was in a minor car accident but she’s at the hospital with her. And I have a feeling she’ll need to watch her niece, at least for tonight. I need to do these bags alone so…”
I walk over and brush my knuckles over her cheek. “You already know, if you need me, I’m here. I just need to let Tristan know I’ll be in late tonight.”
“Thank you. Really.”
I wink at her, then pull my phone from my pocket and text my partner.
Rainey and I order lunch. The pizza won’t be as good as the food truck, but I don’t care what we eat as long as we’re together. Then we get to work. It’s a lot, filling the bags, folding and rolling T-shirts before putting them inside, among other things. And when the food arrives, we agree to take a break.
I wait until we finish eating and clean up the garbage before I ask her to sit down again at the small table we set up for our late lunch. So late it’s almost dinnertime.
“Okay, I think you’ve stalled long enough. What’s on your mind?” she asks.
She’s right. This isn’t a conversation I’m comfortable having, but it’s necessary. “So, here’s the thing. Even when we get Jack on board with our relationship—”
“When? You’re so sure we can get Jack to accept us?” she asks.
I nod. “I am. I can handle him.” He wants someone who will take care of his sister, and that’s me. He’ll get over the shock and anger. In time. “It’s your father I’m worried about. I know how much you love your parents and don’t want to disappoint them.”
She takes a sip of her soda from one of the cans we’d gotten with our order. “Why would me being with you upset them?” She props her chin on her hands. “I really don’t understand.”
It’s better to lay things out for her, starting at the beginning. “What did your father think of me when Jack and I became friends? What did he tell you about me?”
She meets my gaze, her cheeks flushed. “If we’re being honest, he wasn’t happy when he found out about your past. Or the things you got in trouble for when you first came to live with the Carrases.”
I nod. Despite her confirming what I already know, and even despite understanding that Ian Dare had every reason not to want his kids around me back then, it hurts to hear the truth.
“I’m not so sure his feelings have changed.” When she opens her mouth, I hold up a hand. “At least not when it comes to his precious daughter.” And the last thing I want to do is come between Rainey and her father.
Her brothers? I’m not lying when I tell her I believe I can handle them.
Ian Dare? I’m not so sure.
She rises from her seat and sets her hands on her hips, looking at me with a disappointed look of her own. “Lucas Carras, you are not the same man as the boy you were.”
I let out a chuckle because—“You sound like my mom.”
She treats me to a beautiful and wide smile. “That’s quite the compliment since she strikes me as a very smart woman. She said we make a beautiful couple, after all.”
I manage a smile. “I appreciate your optimism but—”
“How about you let me handle my parents and we’ll deal with Jack together?”
