Page 16 of The Engagement
“You, of course.”
His eyes widen. “Me?”
“Yes.” I glance behind us. Haley and Philip are holding hands, and Philip is smiling as he listens to Haley talk. “He’s strong, like you.” Mack is a big guy, but Philip is even taller and bigger all around. He’s built like a tank, with rock-solid biceps and thighs the size of tree trunks. “He’s a gentleman, like you. He’s brave and loyal.”
When two teenage boys on skateboards come barreling down the sidewalk toward Haley and Philip, Philip deftly moves Haley safely out of their path, preventing a disaster. “Careful, guys,” Philip says, and they wave to him as if to saysorry.
As the two kids continue on their way, coming right toward us, Mack pulls me aside, putting himself between me and the teens. “Watch it, boys!”
“And a fierce protector,” I add. “You know, there’s only a nine-year gap between Philip and Haley.”
The unspoken part is that there are thirteen years between me and Mack—and he’s worried about the age gap between them? Seriously? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
Mack stares hard after the two boys on their skateboards, but I don’t think he’s actually seeing them. I think he’s doing the math.
When we arrive at the restaurant, Mack speaks to the hostess. While we wait in the lobby for a table, Haley and I sit on a padded leather bench, while Philip and Mack stand beside us.
Despite the crowd, it’s not long before the hostess calls our name. After we’re led to our table for four, Mack and Philip simultaneously pull out our chairs.
The similarities between them are even greater than I first imagined, and I have to work to maintain a straight face. I think Mack’s fundamental problem with Philip is that he recognizes himself in the younger man. And Mack fought our age difference tooth and nail—until I got hurt. Then his priorities shifted.
The guys order steaks and baked potatoes. Haley and I both get the lemon grilled salmon with mashed potatoes.
While Mack and I chat as we eat, Philip and Haley are lost in their own world. He asks her questions about school, about the courses she’s currently taking, about how her extracurricular activities are going. He knows she’s in the debate club and the Girls in STEM club. He knows who her friends are, and he asks about them by name. Obviously, he pays attention.
Philip asks Haley if she’s thought any more about her plans for college.
Haley has already been accepted to half a dozen universities—Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Standford, Case Western, and University of Chicago. She’s also been offered scholarships, which isn’t surprising as she has a higher than perfect grade point average and excellent letters of recommendation from her teachers and guidance counselor.
Haley does most of the talking, while Philip hangs on her every word. He’s so obviously smitten. He stares at her like she’s the greatest thing since sliced bread.
After the meal, Haley orders bread pudding with caramel bourbon sauce for dessert. It was obvious she wanted dessert, but she didn’t want to be the only one having any, so when she asked him to share it with her, he said yes, even though he only took two bites, leaving the rest for her.
I hold Mack’s hand under the table as we have coffee. His thumb brushes over my engagement ring as he draws lazy circles on the palm of my hand with his index finger. Tingles shoot up my arm, making me shiver, and I start to feel warm all over—in the best way possible.
As Haley and Philip remain in a world of their own, Mack watches them covertly with a hint of a smile on his face. I think he’s finally coming to realize Philip is a natural bornprotector, just like he is. And what could be better for Haley than to be with a man who’s capable of keeping her safe?
When the server comes with our checks, she hands one to Mack and one to Philip. Before Mack can claim both checks, Philip hands our server a credit card to cover his meal and Haley’s. Mack shrugs as he pulls out his own wallet.
After lunch, we walk back to our building and head upstairs to the apartment. Haley and Philip sit on the sofa in the living room, leaning into each other and chatting quietly while Lizzie walks all over Philip.
Mack and I are in the kitchen occupying ourselves with emptying the dishwasher to give them a few more minutes alone before Haley has to leave.
Pretty soon, Haley joins us in the kitchen. “I just wanted to say thanks for letting Philip tag along.”
“You’re very welcome, sweetie,” I say.
“Mom just texted,” she adds. “She and Dave are waiting downstairs in the car.”
Philip appears in the kitchen doorway. “Thanks for letting me join you today. Congratulations to you both on your engagement.” To Mack, he says, “If it’s okay with you, sir, I’d like to walk Haley down to her mother’s car.”
Sir.
They’re colleagues, equals. Philip doesn’t have to call Macksir.
Mack nods. “Sure. Go right ahead.”
Just as Haley and Philip are about to leave, Mack says, “Wait, you two.” He approaches them, but it’s Philip he’s looking at. “I can’t imagine a better man for my daughter than you, Philip. You’re an honorable young man, and—” he pauses. “Well, if you two want to date, and it’s okay with Haley’s mom and step-father, then it’s okay with me. You don’t have to wait until graduation.”
