Page 42 of The Summer Dare
Leave it to Lanie to empathize with me.
“Yeah. It wasn’t the easiest thing—that’s for sure.”
“The point I’m trying to make is that if you have feelings for me—tell me. Don’t make me wait and wonder. I’m not making the mistake of sitting on the sidelines ever again. I like you. I wanna be with you. I don’t want you to have to betricked into telling me how you feel. Please shoot from the hip and give it to me straight. That’s all I ask.”
“I do like you, Ryan. I’m just used to being the oldest sister—who’s kept her business to herself when it comes to guys. You’ll soon find out when you meet my dad, he’s a straight shooter, too, as you say. If you come sniffing around and you’re not sure about staying—he’s been known to run guys off. It’s been engrained since I was old enough to know better, to keep my private life private until I knew they were in it for the long haul.”
“I get it,” I offer when she finally takes a breath.
Then another thought hits me.
“Just how many guys were in it for the long haul?”
“That’s what you pick out of that ramble?”
“Well, are we talking a handful or dozens?”
Her eyes bug out as she laughs. “Dozens? Yeah—No. I’d say three made the cut. Two were in high school—so those don’t count—we were young and innocent. Only one since college.”
“And were there many that didn’t make the cut with your dad?”
Blowing out a long breath, she shrugs. “I’m not overtly promiscuous—but as you well know, I’m not a virgin either. But to answer your question there’s a few that Dad doesn’t know about.”
Turning the table, she asks, “Where do you fall? You said you had a crush on this girl for years, so were you holding out for her? Or were you just keeping her as a place holder on your heart while you fooled around with other women?”
Okay. She’s definitely shooting straight—but I asked for this.
“For the longest time, shewasit for me. Sure, I dated others and some led to sex and I, too, am not a virgin, but I wasn’t a man whore or anything.
“So where does all this leave us?”
“Well, I like you. You like me. I’m… not ready for a family.” She shivers. “Sorry, that brought flashbacks of Barney, but I am open to the possibility, and if what you say is true, I’d like that possibility to be with you to see where things go.”
Chuckling at where her brilliant mind went, I agree with her. “I’d like that, too.”
“And… there’s something I’d like you to do tonight before you go home.”
“Anything…” I say without hesitation.
“I think it’s time for you to meet my family—as my boyfriend.”
As I process the meaning behind her words, I grin. “I most certainly think that can be arranged—on one condition…”
“What’s that?”
“You come home with me to meet mine.”
Usually when I’mon long drives, I listen to music or an audio book. Today, I’m contemplating the events of this past week. When Ryan and I walked back to the house, all three of my sisters looked as if they were the cats that ate the canary. They knew exactly what they were doing… and if I wasn’t supposed to be mad at them for tricking me, I probably would’ve hugged the shit out of them, because since that night I’ve never been happier.
I think the key to Dad meeting future boyfriends for my sisters is to do it when he’s hanging out with his friends. Maybe those few beers he’d been drinking helped, too. Or perhaps, Dad knew without a doubt Ryan is someone I’m interested in, and so for now, he’s giving Ryan a shot.
Either way, it was a rather anticlimactic introduction. They shook hands, drank a beer together, and Dad essentially welcomed him with open arms. I’d almost say Dad was losinghis touch until Raven brought over the guy she’d met at work this last week. Then the dad I knew was back with a vengeance. I felt sorry for Kirk. I think he may have pissed himself before scurrying home with his tail between his legs. Raven wasn’t impressed so I doubt they’ll see each other again.
As I pull into Ryan’s apartment complex, I’m surprised to find he lives across the street from me. Literally, I can actually see my kitchen window from his doorstep. Talk about a small world. We’d been less than a hundred yards from each other and we had to go to Seaside to meet. Go figure.
I don’t even get to knock before his door swings open. I’ve got an overnight bag slung over my shoulder with my purse, and my dress on a hanger in my hand.
“Here, let me take that,” Ryan offers, leading me into his apartment. “It’s only a one-bedroom, but it’s mine.”
