License to Date (13 page)

My dad stood in the waiting area wearing a navy-blue suit and his peppered hair was feathered back in the same style he’d worn since I was a little girl. He was bouncing on his heels next to a middle-aged brunette with a bobbed cut who was talking to the hostess.

“Hi, Dad.”
 

He turned around, looking nervous like a school boy about to ask a girl to prom. “Kaitlin.” He stepped toward me, leaned forward too quickly and bonked his forehead into mine. “Sorry, honey. Are you all right?”

With my hand on my forehead, I stared up at my normally calm, cool, and collected dad. “I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

“If you’re sure.” He moved slower this time and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Honey, this is Jennifer.”

I held out my hand. “Hi, Jennif—”

“I’m so happy to meet you!” She pulled me into a crushing hug. “Your dad talks about you non-stop. He’s so proud. Congratulations on your new home. I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

Whoa. Not at all formal and reserved like I was used to. No, Jennifer was not what I’d anticipated with her warm and bubbly personality. I mean, she didn’t even sound like she was trying to steal my dad from me.
 

My head spun as she released me. “Um, thank you.”

The hostess showed us to our seats where I promptly ordered a Geoffries Martini. To my surprise, Jennifer ordered the same saying that this was my town and therefore I must know what was good. The constant chatter was a bit overwhelming but the more we talked, the harder I was finding it not to like her.

When we were just about finished with lunch, Jennifer excused herself to the restroom.

My dad set his fork down and dabbed his mouth with his napkin. “What do you think, honey? I’d love your approval before I propose.”

“Well, she. . .” I fought for any reason I could find for my dad not to marry her, but I couldn’t think of a single one. “Honestly?”

His hopeful expression froze. “Please.”

My eyes watered. “She’s wonderful. Of course you have my approval.”

Dad’s eyes got misty. “I’m sorry, honey. I know I blew it the first time around with your mom. I just couldn’t make her happy.”

I scoffed. “Nobody can.”

His brows came together. “From what you’ve told me over the years, she and Gary seem to do all right.”

That’s because my stepdad’s adoration for my mom made him oblivious to all of her shortcomings. Huh. “You’re right. They do make each other happy.”

“See? Things can work even better the second time around.” Dad’s voice quavered. “How is your love life? You must’ve had a rough time with the wedding called off last spring.”

My eyes widened in shock. My dad had never delved into my personal life. Ever.
 

Jennifer picked that moment to return to the table. “What did I miss?”

I turned toward her vivacious expression, wondering if her open personality had rubbed off on my dad. “Well, I—”

“Kaitlin,” came a familiar male voice.
 

Chills vibrated through me. Swallowing, I looked up into blue eyes and an unexpected rush of heat ignited my belly and curled my toes. “Paul? I thought you weren’t working today.”

“I’m technically not.” His dark-tousled hair appeared wet from a shower as he stood there in dark jeans and a short-sleeved button-up shirt. He looked amazing, as usual. Except. . . .

My eyes narrowed on a blue smudge just below his ear. “You have paint or something by your jaw.”

“Thanks.” He rubbed his fingers over where I’d pointed then turned to my dad and Jennifer. “How’s your lunch? Is there anything more I can get for you all?”

“Oh, sorry.” I’d been so surprised (and excited) to see him, I’d forgotten my manners. “Paul works for the hotel. Paul this is my dad and his girlfriend Jennifer. They flew down from Seattle.”

Paul held my dad’s eyes as he shook his hand. “How long are you in town, sir?”

“Call me John.” Dad gave him a firm handshake then slipped his arm around Jennifer. “I’m here on business today, with just enough spare time to meet my little girl for lunch.”
 

“It’s nice to meet you, Paul.” Jennifer smiled and my eyes bulged when she popped up and gave him a quick hug. “How did you and Kaitlin meet?”

Jennifer’s question didn’t seem to have any hidden motivations other than general curiosity. Interesting to note how different she was from my mom.
 

“We met here at the hotel, actually.” Paul gave me a side-glance and the dimple in his cheek deepened. “I was tending bar and she ordered a Geoffries Martini.”

Jennifer held her glass up. “Thanks to Kaitlin, I’ve had my first one. They’re delicious.”

Paul’s smile deepened. “Thanks to Kaitlin, I rappelled down my first building with her this week.”

Dad turned toward me with raised brows. “You did that, honey?”

I bit my bottom lip. “It was spur of the moment.”

Just like our kiss had been. . . .
   

“It sounds like you bring out my daughter’s adventurous side, Paul.” The sides of my dad’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. “And here I thought Kaitlin had ignored my calls all week because she was at home remodeling her house.”

My cheeks heated. “I meant to call you back, Dad.”

“Have you seen the house yet?” Paul said, seeming anxious for an answer.

The waitress came by, eyed Paul curiously, then quietly left the bill on the table.
 

“Unfortunately, no.” Dad shook his head and reached for the bill. “We’ll have to make another trip down for that.”

Paul lifted the bill, slipped it into his pocket, then nodded to my dad. “I’ll take care of this for you—perk of working for a hotel. Very nice meeting you and hope you enjoy the rest of your day.”

Jennifer and Dad turned to me since I’d pretty much been mute.

I cleared my throat. “Thanks, Paul. I guess I’ll, um, see you tonight.”

“Definitely.” With a final nod, he left.

A knot formed in my belly. It had seemed so natural with Paul here that I’d almost forgotten his rejection.

“He
likes
you.” Jennifer’s voice held a teasing tone. “Are you two dating?”

I shook my head. “He’s just a friend.”

“Seems like more than that.” She smiled knowingly. “Have you told him how you feel? It’s written all over your face.”

Worse, I’d asked him out. “Trust me, it’s not like that between us.”

She put a hand on my arm. “He’s into you, trust
me
. Isn’t that right, John?”

Dad looked from Jennifer to me. “Tell him how you feel, honey. Don’t wait as long as it took your old man to figure things out. If you want something, you have to go for it.”

“Oh, really?” I laughed, wondering when I’d get used to my dad being so forward with his thoughts. Such a new venture for us. But maybe some things really were better the second time around. Sure seemed like it for my parents and for Kristen, too.

If only it could be that way for me.

****

After making the driver wait for half an hour, I finally climbed into the limo that Milton had sent to take me to the Geoffries hotel for date number five. Yeah, this was the first time I’d been late in my life but I couldn’t stop thinking about Paul. Finally, I’d convinced myself I needed to be rational, hold my head high, and reach my goal. Five dates in five days and this was the last one.

My stomach roiled like I was making a huge mistake.

Why had Paul showed up at the restaurant to meet my dad? I couldn’t figure him out. Obviously Alice had told him she’d seen me there. But why would she do that? Both Jennifer and my dad thought Paul liked me but I’d asked him out and he’d said no. I’d put myself out there and he’d rejected me flat. Then he’d kick-punted me to his friend as if my mom’s type of guy was what I wanted, which wasn’t true.

I wanted Paul, but he didn’t want
me
.
 

Wind chimes tingled and I reached into my black satin evening bag for my cell. I checked the screen which showed an incoming call from Ellen. “Hello?”

“Is everything all right?” Her voice squeaked as if she were worried. “Are you on your way to the Black & White Ball?”

Unfortunately. “Yes. Why?”

“Oh . . . no reason. Just checking. Aren’t you supposed to be there at eight?”

I stared at my phone then put it back to my ear. “Since when do you monitor my dates?”

“Pfft. I don’t.” She gave a small laugh as if the suggestion were ridiculous. “I’m actually calling to thank you for your advice.”

I blinked. “What advice?”

“About the sex of the baby, silly. Hang on.”
 

I heard chatter in the background and a familiar female voice. “Where are you? Is that Ginger?”

“Sorry about that.” Her voice came out rushed. “Yes, that’s Ginger. We’re out and she said hi.”

“Hi, back.” I peeked through the rear window at the city lights as we rolled into downtown Sac. “So you talked to Henry about finding out the sex of the baby? And?”

 
“I told Henry how I felt and he said he had no idea it meant that much to me and of course we could find out the baby’s gender.” She laughed. “Can you believe that?”

Hearing the joy in my friend’s voice made me smile. “I’m happy for you, Ellen.”

“Thanks.” She lowered her voice. “So crazy that I spent all that time thinking he knew how I felt. Men can be so clueless. I have to go. Have a great date!”

“Bye.” I put my phone back in my purse as Ellen’s words echoed in my head.

Men can be so clueless.

Was it possible my dad and Jennifer were right and Paul had no idea I was in love with him? Wait . . . in
love
? No way. I mean, sure, I had strong feelings for him and, yeah, I melted whenever he touched me . . . but
love
?
 

Oh, no.

I picked up the phone to ring the driver. “Can you pull over to the curb right here, please?”

As soon as we stopped, I burst out of the limo and paced in front of some dance club. The loud music thrummed through the wall making my ears pound. Or maybe my ears were pounding because I’d just realized I was in love with Paul and had the first fleeting hope that he might love me back.
 

The limo driver stepped into my path. “Miss? Is everything all right?”

“No!” For once in my life I would not pretend everything was all right. “I’m in love with someone but I’m going on a date with another guy.”

The short and stocky driver furrowed his bushy brows. “Why don’t you just go out with the guy you’re in love with?”
 

I stared at this total stranger who made perfect sense. “Because I asked him out and he said no even though he rappelled down a building with me, opened up to me about his family, and kissed me like he never wanted to stop.”

He held his hand up. “Why did he say no then?”

There was the million dollar question. I threw my hands out. “I have no idea.”

He rubbed his chin. “Did you ask him?”

I stopped pacing and blinked. “No.”

He shrugged. “Well, then. Maybe you should?”

“You’re right.” I swallowed the mass of fear creeping up my throat. “I’ll do it. Let’s stay parked at the curb while I call.”

The driver opened the door for me, which seemed overly formal considering I’d just spilled my guts to him but I thanked him anyway. Then I pulled out my phone, found the familiar Southern California phone number, and dialed. My heart pounded in my chest but after four rings it went to voicemail:
This is Paul. Leave a message.

A loud
beep
sounded in my ear. “It’s Kaitlin. I need to talk to you and it’s pretty urgent. Call me when you get this please.”

Adrenaline coursed through my veins and every second I waited for him to phone back felt like a thousand years. I should have opened up to him about how I felt a long time ago. Why hadn’t I? I’d been so focused on keeping it together and pretending his rejection was all right. Why?

My eyes narrowed and I punched my mom’s phone number.
 

She answered on the second ring and without the usual formalities. “I was hoping you wouldn’t call me until I’d calmed down.”

Until
she’d
calmed down? “What are you talking about?”
 

“You must know I’ve spoken with Alisha.” She
tsk
tsked
into the phone like I was ten and hadn’t cleaned my room. “I’ve been trying to undo the damage you caused last night, but I’m afraid Brian is under the impression you’re not interested in him.”

My jaw tightened. “That’s because I’m
not
. I’m not going to waste his time when I’m in love with Paul.”

“The bartender?” She gasped. “You’re not thinking clearly, honey. I know canceling the wedding was upsetting, for all of us, but you’re not a teenager and can’t rebel like this.”

I guffawed. “When did I ever rebel as a teenager?”