Page 96 of Fall Apart

“You were saying?” I ask, leaning back against the bar. I can see that excited look come back from just a second ago before we were interrupted.

She throws back another sip and wipes away a stray drop from the corner of her mouth. “Actually, there were two things I wanted to tell you.”

“Oh, there you are.” A man I don’t immediately recognize comes up, hugging Lizzy, instantly making me tense wondering who would be touching my woman. “I’ve been looking for you all night, sweetie.”

Lizzy looks at me, her eyes going wide for a second and a cute pink flush rolls over her cheeks. “Ok. Make that a few things.” She hugs him back before he lets go.

He turns to face me, eyeing me up and down, smiling kindly and warmly. He’s average height, well built and fit, probably in his early sixties. “And you must be Clay, the boyfriend she told me so much about last night.”

This time, it’s my turn to blush as I feel my cheeks go red. This must be Mr. Frank. I wasn’t expecting to meet her dad tonight. And fuck, what did she tell him last night? I look back to Lizzy. She mustsense my what-the-hell-is-happening anxiety because her eyes sayrelax, it’s ok.

I set my glass down and reach my hand out. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Frank.”

He grabs my hand and shakes it firmly. “Likewise. It takes a special man to win her heart and tame her.”

Her eyes roll back and that pink flush returns. “Dad, seriously?”

I laugh. “With all due respect sir, there’s no taming her. That’s what I love about her.”

He nods and smiles, patting us both on the back. “Well, don’t let me keep you two from having fun. I’m sure we’ll find time to talk again soon.”

He brings Lizzy into another short hug, whispering something into her ear that makes her smile before he turns and works his way into the crowd.

I let out a long breath and look at Lizzy.

“Well, that was a surprise.”

She shrugs, laughing nervously. “Yeah, sorry about that. I didn’t know he was in town until last night.”

“Seems like you two are in a bit of a better place?”

She smiles and nods. “Yeah, I was such a mess last night.” She looks down at her drink, tracing the rim of the rocks glass with her finger. “With everything else going on, I just kind of went off on him. It was good though. We needed it.”

My lips pull together in a half-hearted smile. “I’m glad you two talked, but I’m still sorry about yesterday.”

She reaches out, grabbing my wrist. “I meant it. Stop apologizing.”

“Alright. So what were the other things you wanted to tell me?”

She sets her glass down and steps toward me, resting her hands on my shoulders leaving just inches between us. She looks up at me,pure excitement and joy in her bluebird day eyes. “I took a full time job with Fischer, based here in Utah.”

My heart pounds. This is really happening. We talked about how she could work here indefinitely and we could sort things out, but there were still some unknowns. But her being here permanently is music to my ears.

“That’s amazing, so amazing.”

She grins back at me and I can see the giddiness in the way she’s practically bouncing on her toes. “It’s a promotion. I’ll still be doing some of my old job. But this isn’t just about us, it's about me. I needed this fresh start too. And when I told Jessica the other night at dinner, I sort of got the feeling this was some grand scheme of hers because she hardly seemed surprised. But I wanted to wait to tell you until it was finalized with HR and-”

I flick my eyebrows at her, holding her eyes. “Lizzy, stop rambling. I’m so excited for you.”

She steps closer, erasing the distance between us. “Me too. I’m glad this gives us a chance to do this for real.” She stands on her toes, planting a whisper of a kiss on my lips.

I reach up, tucking a stray strand of her golden blond hair behind her ear. “So what else did you want to tell me?”

She starts to open her mouth right when the sound of silverware tapping a glass cuts through the room, signaling that it’s time to take a seat.

I laugh and look down at her, shrugging one shoulder. “I guess the rest will have to wait until after dinner.”

CHAPTER 41

---