“If you’d let me finish a sentence, I’d tell you I already had.” I hear the irritated tone in my dad’s voice. Typical.
I hold back a snort of laughter. My father and uncle are close now, but I’ve heard stories about the early days when Dad met my mother andshewas Uncle Alex’s best friend. Mom going out with Dad pissed off my uncle because my father and Uncle Alex’s family were estranged. My grandfather, Robert Dare, who nobody talks to or hears from, had a secret family—Alex’s family—and the resentment on both sides was huge. My mother brought the families together, but my uncle and my dad still enjoy their bickering.
I knock on the open door. “Hello? Am I interrupting anything?” I look from man to man, Uncle Alex in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, and my father in his usual suit and tie.
My dad’s face softens when he sees me. “Come on in, princess.”
“Rainey! It’s good to see you.” Uncle Alex steps forward and hugs me tight then releases me. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
I grin. “They are and I’m excited about it, too.” I turn to my father. “Actually, that’s why I’m here. I was hoping we could talk about some things related to the anniversary.” I glance back and forth between the two men. “Unless you two want to argue some more?”
Both let out a laugh.
“We’re finished,” says Uncle Alex. He presses a kiss to my head. “Take care.”
“Give my love to Aunt Madison,” I tell him.
“Will do. Talk to you later, Ian.”
My father rolls his eyes as his half-brother leaves the room.
“Well, that was fun. Or, should I say, sadly normal?” I ask. “Do I need to tell Mom you’ve been giving Uncle Alex a hard time?” I know I’m stirring the pot, but I can’t help it. It’s too much fun.
He shakes his head. “You’re trouble, do you know that?”
I merely grin.
“Your mother will always take my side,” he says with the confidence of a man who is as in love with his wife now as he was the day he met her. To hear them tell the story, it was love at first sight. The minute Dad laid eyes on Mom, he knew she was it for him.
I sigh, wondering if I’ll ever have a relationship like theirs. It’s one to aspire to for sure.
“So, what brings you by?” he asks, and I’m grateful for the chance to get out of my own head. “And where’s my hug?”
Grinning, I step around his side of the desk and hug my dad. Then I take a seat across from the desk and he settles in the chair next to me. “I wanted to go over the anniversary celebration. I thought we could kick off the season with a huge party at Midnight.”
He nods thoughtfully. “I take it your brother approved.”
I purse my lips, unsure how he’ll like my answer. “Actually, Jack will be out of town, so I’ll be working with Lucas. I have an appointment, but I’ve yet to run the idea by him fully.”
He runs a hand over his face in silence. I know that’s Dad’s thinking expression.
“Are you sure a nightclub is the best venue for this?” he asks.
I nod. “Yes. I was there Saturday night and it’s perfect.” I think back to that evening and despite being tipsy, I scouted the place thoroughly.
He smiles. “I have no doubt you checked it out.”
I also got a little too close to Lucas, though I doubt my father would want to hear about that. Nor would he want to know I’d somehow, in my inebriated state, kissed Lucas on his cheek. The razor stubble brushed my lips and when I’d inhaled, he’d smelled delicious. Arousal washed over me and I’d had a hard time falling asleep, my thoughts consumed with him. Thanks to that kiss, as platonic as it was, I dread having to face him when we meet to discuss work. So much for being the complete professional, and though I want to groan, I do not want my father asking me what’s wrong.
Taking my mind off Lucas isn’t easy, but I refocus on the 50thanniversary plans. “Midnight has three floors and the rooftop, assuming it’s a nice night. It’s large, has the huge dance floor on the first level, bars on the others. Not to mention it benefits them if they agree. If we start the 50thcelebration there, we can keep them involved throughout the season, have them sponsor some giveaways, and be part of the end-of-season celebration.” There. That put me back on track.
“I’m sure Jack would agree. And Lucas, too. I’m just uncertain about the nightclub aspect,” Dad says.
I rub my hands on my slacks, knowing I have more in my arsenal to entice him. “See how you like this. By establishing a connection with a local business, we can tie the anniversary intothe team’s community outreach program. I know you and Uncle Alex are big on concussion protocol, and we can raise money for the high schools in the area while we celebrate the team this year.”
He raises his eyebrows and a wide grin spreads across his handsome face. Even I know my dad is good-looking. It’s been pointed out to me often enough. I take after him with the color of my eyes only. The rest of me, curves and hair color, is all Mom. And I have no complaints at all.
“I think it’s a fabulous idea, my brilliant daughter.” He leans in closer to me. “Now, tell me why you look like you’re exhausted and haven’t slept.” His hand brushes across my cheek.
