Page 84 of Valentino

“You waited thirteen years to ask her out?” my dad asks, surprised.

“I’d wait forever if I had to.” Val’s eyes find mine. “She’s worth the wait.”

Oh…. Wait….

Maybe his acting is too good?

“She is.” My dad kisses my temple. “And it seems like you were too.” He pulls me close. “The very first man she’s ever brought home to meet us.”

“Really?” Valentino’s eyes find mine. “I didn’t realize.”

Oh no…there goes the neighborhood, way to make me look cool, Dad.

“And I heard that you are going to teach George some manners…so that’s a plus.” Dad chuckles. “I am here for that one.”

“George told you?” I gasp, horrified.

“You rattled him. He thought he could rally the troops on to his side, but the reality is that someone needs to do it, that man is rude as hell. Your mother and I were quietly cheering.”

I giggle in disbelief.

“Anyway, I’ll let you kids continue down memory lane.” He walks toward the door.

“We’re going to get going soon, Dad,” I tell him. “We have to work tomorrow.”

“Okay, see you downstairs. Your mother’s packing up some cake for you to take home.”

“Alright.” My eyes find Val’s across the room. “You’re…” I shrug bashfully, “…quite the storyteller.”

He walks over to stand in front of me. “That wasn’t a story.” He tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. “You were. And still are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life.”

My heart swells as we stare at each other.

He picks up my hand, and we stand palm to palm with our fingers linked. “If I could have had my time over, Anna, I would have asked you out back then.”

I get a lump in my throat as I stare up at him.

“I wish you did,” I whisper.

“Me too.” His eyes drop to my lips and the moment feels monumental, the air between us swirls.

Girlfriend.

“We should go.” I rush out the room and down the stairs to find my mother in the kitchen. “We’re going to get going, Mama.”

“Of course, my darling.” She kisses my cheek and pulls me in for a hug. “Valentino is beautiful,” she whispers.

It’s unanimous.

“Your father just told me what he said about you, he’s so romantic and dreamy.” She shrugs her shoulders up in excitement. “I can’t wait to see what happens next.”

The notion that he thinks that I would be interested in being his side chick is anything but romantic and dreamy, Mom.

We walk out into the living area just in time to see him coming down the stairs, he glances up and we lock eyes before he snaps them away again.

He’s pissed.

Well, join the club because that makes two of us.