“I haven’t.” She laughed. “I thought the same thing as you and looked up guys named Ruben. I was surprised at how many there are.”
“Ruben. Where have I heard that name?” Dylan pulled out his phone. “What’s his last name?”
“Zabala.”
“Zabala.” He did a search on his phone. “Ru-ben. You’re talking aboutBenZabala, the attorney?”
“Well, he did say he’s a lawyer,” Rae said, “but his account says Ruben. Do you know him?”
“There’s a partner in my father’s firm named Ben Zabala.” Dylan held out his phone so Rae could see the picture. “Is this him?”
“That looks like his picture on eRapport.”
Frowning, Dylan jumped to his feet. “Well, I should get the little dude from his sitter.” He started to leave but turned back. “Let me know whatRubensays about going out.”
Rae could tell he was irritated with her, and she had no idea why.
“I’m not sure what just happened,” she said when he’d gone.
“If you haven’t noticed, hon, Dylan’s shy.” Amelia sank into the chair by Rae’s desk and stretched her feet in front of her. “I think it’s sweet of him to do this for you.”
“Forme? How is he doing this for me? I thought he was doing it for you.”
“That boy would not be on a dating site for an old woman like me. He’s doing this to support you, and it’s scaring him to death. Don’t you remember how nervous he was to sing in public?”
“You mean at the flash mob you talked him into doing with you last Christmas?” Rae had been there when he’d sung with Amelia and her church group at the mall. It had been a bucket-list moment.
“But he only agreed because he wouldn’t have to do it alone. I can guarantee you he wouldn’t have done a solo up there. It’s the same thing with this. He wants to support you, and now he’s being faced with having to go on a blind date.”
Amelia was right. Rae had never seen him so nervous as when he’d sung at the mall. Later, he’d finally agreed to sing solo for her, but only with the stipulation that she accompany him. It had meant she’d had to start practicing her piano again which hadn’t been a bad thing. Then he’d pulled her into singing with him too. The Littles had wanted to participate and even Beth was trying to take part now.
But it hadn’t occurred to Rae that Dylan had gone along with the dating site to helpher. It made her heart give a little lurch. He was such a good friend. If he were doing this for her, then she could ask Ruben if he’d like to go out to dinner. If he wasn’t interested, it didn’t really matter. She’d know soon enough.
* * *
Dylan was stillirritated as he strode to his car. He might be crazy about Rae, but her blindness to his real motivations got to him sometimes. It was almost like she thought he was an extension of her, so, of course, he saw things the same way she did. Would she ever see he was in love with her and wanted to be the one taking her out? He put his frustration into kicking a rock. When it almost hit a GPC truck, he winced.
“Careful there, unless you want to pay for a new paint job.”
Dylan closed his eyes. “You’re right, sir.” Opening his eyes, he turned to face Mr. G. and said, “I’ve done what you asked.”
“And what did you decide?” The older man’s voice had gone from humorous to neutral. His body had stiffened, almost like he were preparing himself for bad news.
“We think I need more information.”
“We?” Mr. G. arched a brow, his posture relaxing a little. “As in you and Rae?”
“Yes, Rae. I couldn’t imagine making a big decision like this without talking it over with her first.”
“Sounds like me and the missus. That’s why, when she said I needed to start planning my retirement, I paid attention. You waiting until it’s been a year after Rae’s husband’s death to pop the question?”
Dylan stared at him.
“Don’t worry,” Mr. G. said with a chuckle. “You’ve helped her a lot this last year. You’ll make a good couple.” His expression turned considering. “A power couple, but one with heart.”
“About your earlier proposition . . .” Dylan began. After having thought about it since that first meeting, he thought he understood why Mr. G. had made the offer. He didn’t want to sell his business to a conglomeration.
“And what have you and Rae decided?” the older man asked.
