Roots and Wings (City Limits #1)(65)

If I had any worries about the night, the only one I could think of was the damn heels I’d bought to go with the dress.

I could count on my toes how many times in my life I’d ever worn shoes like that. It was less than a shoe’s worth.

I’d just be careful. Besides, he said we could always leave. If shoes ended up hurting my feet, we could go back to his place where I’d take them off. Take all of it off.

When I had strapped up, I looked at my dad who I could feel was staring at me.

“You look like your mom,” he said.

I was used to hearing digs on my mom, but it wasn’t very often I’d heard anything positive about her. She’d really been an * to do what she’d done to my dad. To both of us.

“I do?” I asked as I smoothed a hand over my hair. I’d never seen any pictures of her wearing it like that.

“Not the hair, your face. You look like you’re in love.” He’d definitely never said anything like that.

“In love?”

He gave me a weak smile and answered. “It wasn’t all bad with us, kid. There was a time she loved me and she looked just like you do right now. Excited and scared.” He ran a weathered hand over his mouth. “You look more excited, though. Either way, that’s how I remember her the most. The way she looked when she loved me. When she wanted us.”

Then he made a face like he was shaking off the memory.

How she could ever leave a man, who loved her as much as he did, was beyond me.

“Dad,” I said, not knowing what else to say.

“I’m sorry. You just look so pretty.” He stood and I stood and then he hugged me, kissing the top of my head.

Don’t misunderstand—my dad hugged me plenty growing up, but after you reach a certain age that kind of fades away. And that week he’d kissed me twice and there he was squeezing me like I was leaving forever.

I hugged him back, hoping he knew he was a huge part of the reason I was so happy. He’d never made me feel like I had to pair off. It never felt like he was in too big of a hurry to have an empty nest. He never pressured me to move, and I never sensed I’d worn out my welcome at home.

I knew it was unrealistic to think that I’d be roommates with my dad forever, but he really had been a good one. Anything that would change that was pretty far off anyway. No matter how right he’d been about my feelings for Vaughn.

That was about the time I heard tires pulling in and a door close on Vaughn’s SUV. Suddenly, it was feeling a little bit like prom. There I was at twenty-six, watching my boyfriend climb the steps with a corsage, while my dad waited to open the door for him.

Vaughn knocked and Dad opened right on cue.

“Hey there, Astro. You look nice. Taking her to a funeral?” he joked from behind the screen door.

“No, sir. Taking her dancing at the country club for the night.”

“Well, come on in, Fred Astaire,” my dad instructed as he held the door open for him.

“What happened to Astro?”

“I don’t think Fred had one,” my Dad said, toying with him.

Vaughn looked confused for a second then relented. “Fair enough.”

I stood there like a sixteen-year-old hoping my dad didn’t embarrass me, but on the other hand, hoping he gave him a little more shit. It was funny, after all.

Vaughn looked sharp. He wasn’t wearing a jacket, but he wore dark grey dress pants, a white collared shirt rolled up at the sleeves, and a thin black tie, paired with a fitted grey vest. He’d combed back his hair, making him appear powerful. I’d never seen him look so good. Then almost overwhelming pride swept through me, knowing I was his date.

That paired with how I felt dressed up for him and our night out, it was like something out of a fairytale.

“You both clean up real nice,” my dad said as we both stared at each other.

I hoped Vaughn liked my dress.

Then, probably sensing he was three’s company, my dad patted me on the shoulder and walked out of the room.

“I can’t take my eyes off you,” Vaughn whispered, stepping closer, opening the clear package with the flower bracelet inside without looking. I held out my hand and he slipped it over my wrist, then kissed my palm. “You’re perfect, beautiful.”

I wasn’t a blushing type of girl, but my face heated like a dashboard sitting in the sun and I assumed a blush was like that.

“Thanks. I like your vest.”

He looked down and gave the bottom of it a little tug to straighten it, although it was fine before.

“Well, if we’re both ready…” He offered me an arm and I took it, feeling so classy and sophisticated.

I was thankful to have his arm as I walked through the grass on my tiptoes so the heels wouldn’t sink into the earth.

He’d washed and waxed the Escalade and it looked shiny and new.

Before opening the door, he turned me in his arms and kissed me. It was one of those kisses I’d seen in movies where the guy dips his girl, damn near sweeping her off her feet.

My feet were swept, and I’d never been safer than I was there in his strong arms. He wouldn’t drop me like I always thought I’d feel like that. His hand behind my neck, holding me steady and his other arm wrapped around my waist, I knew he’d never let me fall, and so instead of worrying about it, I concentrated on kissing him back.