Page 19 of I Summoned A Demon For A Date?!
Dad didn't notice my reaction, already launching into a conversation about his other passion. "You know what else is great for unwinding? Golf. Do you play?"
"When I can find the time," Aldaine shrugged. "Though I admit it's been a while."
"You should join me Monday morning," Dad looked like a kid as he spoke enthusiastically. "The country club here has an excellent course. What do you say?"
I held my breath, wondering how Aldaine would handle this. But he just smiled that charming smile of his. "I'd be honored, sir."
The main course arrived, roasted duck that looked amazing, and Rita leaned forward. "So, Rosie, remember that time in high school when we snuck into the Silver Spur and Horse through the back door?"
I laughed, the memory coming back clearly. "And your dad caught us trying to steal a bottle of his best whiskey!"
"He made us work as dishwashers for a month," Rita grinned. "But hey, that's how I learned the business from the ground up."
"I always wondered why you skipped college," I took a bite of the duck.
Rita shrugged. "Didn't see the point when I already knew what I wanted to do. Dad had been training me since I was old enough to reach the bar. Besides," she winked, "now I get to be my own boss and make my own rules."
I felt a wave of admiration for Rita. She'd always known exactly what she wanted and gone after it. Unlike me, who'd spent years trying to figure out what I was supposed to do with my life.
Aldaine's hand found mine under the table and he squeezed it gently as if he could read my thoughts. I squeezed back, grateful for his silent support.
The rest of dinner passed pleasantly, with conversation flowing easily between the four of us while we successfully ignored the occasional loud burst of laughter from Stephany's end of the table.
After dinner, I wasn't ready to go back to our room.
I followed Aldaine into the backyard, the night air cool against my skin. The pool lights cast a soft blue glow across the water, making it look magical in the darkness.
"I needed this," I admitted, taking a deep breath. "Being inside that house too long makes me feel like I'm suffocating sometimes."
Aldaine's hand found mine as we walked toward the pool. "Tell me about growing up here."
"I didn't, for the most part, until I was older." I squeezed his fingers. "Before Dad married Jan, I stayed with my grandparents when he traveled. Their house was about twenty minutes from here, this old Victorian with a wrap-around porch and the most amazing garden."
We reached the pool's edge and Aldaine sat down, pulling me with him. I kicked off my shoes and dipped my feet into the water, watching the ripples spread out across the surface.
"My grandmother used to make these incredible cinnamon rolls," I smiled at the memory. "She'd let me help knead the dough, even though I probably made more of a mess than anything else. And Grandpa would take me fishing at this little pond behind their house. He'd tell the most outrageous stories about the 'one that got away' — each time the fish got bigger and bigger."
Aldaine chuckled, rolling up his pants legs before joining his feet with mine in the water. "They sound wonderful."
"They were." I leaned against his shoulder, feeling the warmth of him seep into me. "Grandpa taught me how to play chess. He never let me win. Said it wouldn't help me learn. But the day I finally beat him fairly, he was so proud he took us all out for ice cream, even though it was nearly midnight."
"Where are they now?" Aldaine's voice was soft and gentle.
I swallowed hard, fighting back the sudden sting of tears. "They passed away a few years after Dad married Jan. Car accident. They were coming back from their weekly date night. They never stopped dating, even after fifty years of marriage. It was raining, and.." I trailed off, unable to continue.
Aldaine wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer. "I'm sorry, little minx."
We sat in comfortable silence, just watching the water ripple around our feet. The crickets chirped softly in the background, and somewhere in the distance, an owl called.
"Can I ask you something?" I finally broke the silence, turning to look at him.
"Anything."
"What's this business meeting next Saturday that's so important?" I was curious about what kind of demon business he conducted.
He tensed slightly beside me, but his voice remained casual. "It's a family meeting of sorts? It's a little complicated. I'm required to be there as the elder."
"Your family?" I sat up straighter, staring at him.
