Page 104 of Beauty Beneath the Sorrow
I squint my eyes at him. “Are you sure?”
“Unless he’s a fucking douche—”
“Dad,” I interject before he has the chance to keep going.
He waves the server over. “I get it. Respect your privacy.”
“Thank you.” I put a finger in the air. “And the girlfriend thing?”
My dad slowly closes his blue eyes, then opens them again. “I can do that. But you have to promise me that you’ll give them a chance.”
“Only if it’s serious.”
“Alright. Only if it’s serious.”
Laughter bubbles inside my chest at how easy this conversion is going. If only it was that simple with my mother. “Look at us?” I snicker.
He grins, showing his bright white teeth. “Is this what healthy family relationships are like?”
“I wouldn’t know, but it seems like it.”
“I wouldn’t know either!” he quips, laughing. “But we can change that.”
After my dad and I ordered our food, we talked more about his time in the Navy. I’m looking forward to having more personal time with my dad, getting to know him better, and navigating this new normal with him.
I think I’ve made it through the entire meal without mentioning Carter before my dad glances up at me while he’s signing the check. “So, it was nice hanging out with you and Carter the last week for dinner. He’s a good guy. I’m glad you got him and not some single pilot who wants more than just a partner for an event.”
“Yeah.” I swallow hard.
Chapter Thirty-One
Carter
Icame home on a late flight last night, so I didn’t get to see Lina. We briefly exchanged texts. Before bed, I thought seriously about going over to her house. Even with what time it was, but I’m still trying to tread lightly about her space and what we are.
This morning is the children’s hospital charity run. The sole reason why Lina and I started spending time together in the first place, but I view it as my only way to get closer to her. I wasn’t completely thinking when I requested her to be my partner. Looking back, I’m sure as hell glad I did—even if it will eventually bring me heartbreak.
I took a quick shower, made a cup of coffee, and now I’m on my way out the door. I’m exhausted from traveling the last few days, but I can’t wait to see Lina.
When I arrive at the event, tents are set up along the closed downtown street. I scan the sponsor tents until I find our airline, and when I see it, I head over toward my coworkers. It’s early in the morning, and the sun is starting to peek through the night sky. Even though it’s winter in the desert, the sun is still bright and brings heat.
The group of us all have matching shirts on, except the runners who have partners, in which case both names are on the back. Squeezing through the groups of people, I walk toward the group I’m most familiar with. But as I cross the grass belt on one side of the street, I can’t help but keep an extra eye out for Lina.
“Hey, Hernandez,” Christian says as I approach them.
I tip my head, greeting him. “Hey, man. Have you seen Lina?”
A band plays in the background while the groups are getting checked in. Teams of people are scattered through the large grassy area, chatting and stretching.
“I haven’t.” He lowers his sunglasses and arches a brow. “I’m surprised you don’t know where she is. You guys have been attached at the hip the last couple of months.”
Yeah, we have, and it’s going to continue.“We’ve become friends.”
“Friends who fuck,” he comments, causing his partner Hailey to join our conversation.
“Everyone knows, Carter. I don’t know why you two are still hiding it,” she remarks.
“You two have no idea what you’re talking about.” I stop mid-sentence because a tall blonde woman wearing a matching shirt strolls over. She’s wearing high-waisted running shorts and pink athletic shoes. My heart skips a beat.There she is.
