Page 68 of The Inn Dilemma

“You know none of us expected to end up with our women the way we did. But you’ve known Nova most of your life. I don’t think settling down with her would be—” Caius says.

“I want to settle down with her!” I admit loudly. “But she’s on a dating sabbatical. If you knew her history…”

“Maybe I don’t know anything about Beau, but Reese and her were friends in high school. Reese saw how Nova was treated back then. She was controlled most of her life.” This from Des.

“And the ex-boyfriend was no different. She needs time to heal,” I say.

“That’s noble of you to give her space. But I wouldn’t give her too much or she may get the wrong idea.” Caius sounds more serious than usual.

I suppress another growl. “I thought I said I didn’t want to talk about this.”

“You did,” Des confirms. “But it doesn’t mean me and Caius don’t see that this is something you need to work out.”

“Preferably without Nova’s brother present,” Cai adds.

I was afraid Chris would come up too. And now that he has, yet another one of my fears has been confirmed.

“I have no idea how Chris is going to handle this when he finds out. I’d be beyond mortified if he witnessed what went down last night.”

“I’m sure once the initial shock wears off, he’ll be happy for you both. He knows you’ve always wanted what’s best for her,” Des adds.

“I hope you’re right.”

“You need to make your intentions known,” Cai says.

“This isn’t some Jane Austen novel. There’s more to it. Her dad would never approve of me.” It hadn’t been a concern of mine up until this minute.I’m not sure why this new fear surfaces, but it does all the same, and it makes me question all of this even more.

Both guys scoff. “He doesn’t approve of anyone. Look at what he put Chris through to get what he worked his whole life for. Who cares about Kent Price’s approval?”

I want to agree with them, and I do to a point. But the truth is, no matter how much she may deny it, Nova still craves her dad’s approval. And I want her to have a good relationship with him. It may be slow moving, but it seems like things are changing for their family—for the better.I’d add a layer of complication to their new dynamic. It could be that complication that takes away from their progress. Again, I’m not sure why it would, but the fear arises regardless. It’s a fear I can’t currently shake.

“Nova cares.”

Neither one of them has anything to say to that.

“I appreciate the pep talk, guys, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to talk about something else. What’s going on with you and your backpacks?” I ask, referring to their women.

The shift in topic works like a charm, and for the first time in almost twenty-four hours, I think about something other than Nova, that kiss, and the impending, necessary conversations with Chris and Nova.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Nova

Dad standing next to me, waiting to order lunch from a food truck, is a tangible expression of how hard he is trying to be the dad I’ve always wanted him to be. Nothing extravagant, but simple and caring.

He looks around, a forced smile on his face. “Well, this is a bit different, isn’t it?”

A real smile stretches across my cheeks at the beautiful park setting. A group of teenagers throws a frisbee behind us.

“They have the best chicken sandwiches and cauliflower bites,” I say, glancing at the menu even though I already know what I’m ordering.

“I’ll have what you’re having,” he says.

We finally reach the front of the line and place our orders at the counter. As soon as we step out of the way and wait for our food, Dad focuses on me.

“You ordered that knowing I’d probably order the same thing.” His eyes turn watery. “And it’s all foods that are on my diet.”

I shrug. “Guilty. But all of that is actually really good and made from scratch.”

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