Page 118 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

She rolled her eyes.

“Like I’m really going to announce something dirty to my parents?” Lucas shook his head, smiling. “It’s the winter dance.”

Juliette whipped her head around, unable to believe her ears—about his casual tossing out parents and about the dance. “You’re going to a dance?” He’d never wanted to go to dances at his old school.

“Yeah. With the coolest girl in school,” he boasted.

“Congrats, buddy,” Seeley said. “That’s awesome. When is it?”

“The last day before winter break.”

“This is so exciting,” Juliette said, taking his change of heart as a good sign from the universe. “We’ll need to go shopping to get you nice clothes. What do kids wear to school dances nowadays? Do you need a suit? I bet Layla’s excited. You’ll have to match your shirt or tie to her dress, so we should wait to go shopping until you know what she’s wearing.”

“Whatever,” he said. “Can I drive to the dance?”

“You know you can’t,” Juliette said.

“Come on,” Lucas complained.

“Sorry, bud, but you can’t drive with a teenager in the car when you’ve only got your learner’s permit,” Seeley said as he pulled up to a convenience store. He put the car in park and pulled out his wallet. “You want anything, darlin’?”

“No, thanks.”

He handed Lucas a five-dollar bill. “Go get your soda.”

“Thanks.” Lucas snagged the cash and climbed out of the truck.

“Our boy got hit by Cupid’s arrow.” Seeley reached for her hand. “We’re in trouble now.”

She smiled. “He’s so happy.”

“As well he should be. He and Layla are crazy about each other.”

“I know, but what if—”

Seeley put his finger over her lips. “No what-ifs. Let’s bask in his happiness. He deserves it, and so do we.” He leaned forward and kissed her.

Forty minutes later they were led into Dr. Santowski’s office and told he’d be right in. There was nothing particularly threatening about the office, but as they sat in front of the large wooden desk, the room felt ominous. There were abstract paintings on the walls and a framed drawing that was so simplistic, it looked to be done by a child. A black line started at the bottom left of the canvas and turned into a dark, scribbled tangle with a single bumpy line coming out the other side, angling upward and then forming a spiral. On the other side of the spiral, it became a single line again, and as it reached toward the upper-right corner, it bloomed into a stunning array of colorful bubblelike petals and green leaves.

Hope.

That’s what the drawing said to her, but it didn’t ease her nerves. Lucas was sitting between her and Seeley texting, which for some reason was making her more nervous. “Lucas, put your phone away, honey.”

“One sec.” He continued thumbing out a text.

Seeley’s arms were crossed, his fingers drumming anxiously. He nudged Lucas, nodding to the phone. “Come on, bud. You heard your mom.”

“Fine. We’d better get out of here in time for practice.”

She’d been so sidetracked, she’d forgotten he had practice today. “We should have plenty of time,” she said as the door opened, and Dr. Santowski walked in. He was a thin man, mostly bald, with serious, kind eyes. Juliette tried to read his expression, but he looked the same as he had the first time they’d met. Serious and kind.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” he said as he closed the door.

“No problem.” Seeley stood, offering his hand. “Thanks for seeing us.”

The doctor shook his hand and went around the desk, lowering himself into his chair. “How are you feeling, Lucas?”

Lucas shrugged. “Fine.”