She turns with a bright smile on her face as the song ends. My dad is grinning, but his gaze sweeps right over me.
I guess it’s one of those days.
I ignore the stab of disappointment, walking up to tap him on the shoulder. “Can I have the next waltz?”
He smiles, eyes sparkling. “Sure thing, young lady. You remind me of my wife. She’ll be here any minute, and I can introduce you.”
He pulls me closer. The music swirls around us, a slow country song by George Strait. I try to immerse myself in the happy moment despite the fact that he thinks I’m a stranger.
“I love this song. I hope I can have a daughter one day,” he says.
The lump in my throat is overwhelming, so I don’t respond. He’s smiling at his friends on the sidelines. A few other couples are up, slow dancing, and if I was less emotional, I would probably giggle at their swaying with canes and walkers. Jerry has planted himself on the side of the makeshift dance floor, arms folded over his chest.
“Look over there. See that guy with the scowl? He’s my best friend, but he’s such a party pooper.” Dad smiles to himself, shaking his head. “Hey, Jerry, why don’t you get up and ask a lady to dance? Maybe you won’t get rejected—for once.”
I snort a laugh at his jab while Jerry’s eyes turn black.
“You know what? If I did show up on that dance floor, your girl wouldn’t hesitate to abandon your sorry white-boy moves.”
We both crack up, and I turn to taunt him once more before choking on the words in my throat at the sight of the figure standing behind him.
Luke is on the edge of the dance floor, dressed in casual ripped jeans and a pale gray T-shirt stretched across his muscular chest and arms. He’s as handsome as ever with a smirk on his face, green eyes twinkling in the twilight.
He claps Jerry on the shoulder. “Think she’ll abandon him for my sorry white-boy moves?”
Jerry nods with conviction, gesturing toward us. “Absolutely, but if my grandson, Owen, shows up, she’ll leave you hanging, pretty boy.”
Luke nods at Jerry before strutting onto the dance floor, extending a hand out to me and my dad. “May I?”
Dad hands me over. “Of course, young feller, but she’s a little minx who’ll steal your concentration.”
He winks at me before finding a seat next to Jerry to watch us.
My attention is on my former boss, whose arms are wrapped around me in a strong embrace, which is much closer than is necessary for a slow dance at a nursing home. I’m already finding it hard to catch my breath.
“So . . .” I stammer out.
“So . . . I’ve missed you,” is all he says.
I look up at him, enjoying the view of his strong, sharp jawline and clear green eyes.
“I’ve missed you, too, but?—”
“But they told you I might’ve killed Reid.”
I nod at his interruption, sucking in a breath as I wait for him to explain.
“Why do you think I hated Garrison so much?”
I shrug. “Because he married your sister and you think she could do better?”
He looks away, a muscle twitching in his jaw. I want to kiss him because I’m a sucker for that profile.
“Well, yes, but it’s much more than that. Fallon was dating Reid while we were working on Steelhart—this is all confidential, by the way. I’m only telling you because I can’t stand to be away from you, but I understand why you need to know.”
His eyes bore into mine intensely, and I lick my lips while nodding for him to continue on. He looks around the scene.
“Would you mind if I took you somewhere more . . . private first?”
