“Who’s going to be at the dinner?” Kai asks.

We’re almost to my parents’ house and I’m dreading it. It’s been months since I’ve seen or talked to my father. “Let’s see, Sandy will be there so I’m excited about that. My parents’ neighbors and friends, and whoever else wants to be there will be there. Growing up, they had dinners at the house all the time, but I always invited my friends.”

Reaching over, Kai takes my hand. “You have me this time.”

I just hope and pray my parents love him like I do. It doesn’t matter if they do or not, but it will be nice if they do. We pull up to the light blue, perfect house I grew up in and there are cars lined up and down the street.

We park down the street and walk hand in hand up to the house. “This is where you grew up?”

I nod. “It is, and I’m going to apologize in advance for whatever happens in there.”

His brows furrow. “Is your dad really that bad?”

My eyes burn. “No. Growing up, we used to do so much together. Then, when I started high school, it’s like I was in prison. I wasn’t allowed to do anything my friends were doing. That’s why I couldn’t wait to go to college.”

Kai squeezes my hand. “You have an overprotective father. I’m sure his actions were because he loves you. You can damn well bet I’ll be the same way if we ever have a daughter.”

The thought makes me smile. “You said we.”

A sly grin spreads across his face. “Who knows.”

I can just imagine a little girl with dark hair and his bright blue eyes. We walk inside and my mother is talking to Sandy. Her eyes widen when she sees us. Instead of sliding around on her scooter, she limps over to us.

“You came. I’m so happy.” She pulls me into her arms and I hug her tight. “He’s handsome,” she says, whispering in my ear.

Giggling, I let her go. There’s a twinkle in her eyes as she looks at Kai. “Mom, this is Kai Robicheau.” I look up at Kai. “Kai, this is my mom, Regina Miller.”

Kai shakes her hand. “Thank you for inviting me. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Same, my dear. Hopefully, you and Alexandria will come around more often. I miss seeing my little girl.”

“That depends all on Dad,” I grumble low so only my mother can hear.

She sighs. “He’s excited to see you.”

“Where is he?” I ask.

“Not sure,” she replies, glancing around the room. “Maybe in the kitchen.”

“I’ll find him in a little bit.”

My mother cups my cheek and smiles. “Be nice. You’ll be surprised how much he’s changed.” Then she grins up at Kai. “I’m going to check on the food. We should be good to eat very soon.”

She walks off and Kai chuckles. “You look just like her.”

“So I’ve been told.” Taking his hand, I pull him through the living room.

“Kai, over here buddy,” someone calls out.

Kai stops and glances over his shoulder and then back to me. “It’s Stan. I can’t stand the bastard.”

Stan walks over, his beady eyes on me like he’s checking me out.

“I can see why,” I whisper for only him to hear.

“Who’s your date?” Stan asks.

Kai’s jaw clenches, but he smiles. “Stan, this is my girlfriend, Alex.”

Stan holds out his hand. “You are very beautiful, Alex. How’d you get mixed up with this guy?”

Grinning wide, I shake his hand. “I got lucky.” I look up at Kai and nod toward Sandy who’s in the corner, talking to Dani’s mother, Brenda. “I’ll be right back.”

Kai nods and I walk away. Sandy waves frantically at me and I hurry over. “Your mother told me you were coming. There’s so much I want to tell you. I was just discussing it with Dani’s mother.”

Brenda gives me a hug. “You’ll love it. I’ll let you two talk in private.”

Excitement bubbles in my chest. “What’s going on?”

She takes in a deep breath. “I finally decided it’s time to retire. I thought about giving the business to you and Dani.”

“Seriously?” I squeal.

She bursts out laughing. “Yes, but for a small fee. I know owning your own place is something you’ve wanted for a long time. You and Dani would be amazing partners.”

“What about Adrienne?”

“Once the baby comes, she’s decided to stay home. Dani doesn’t know yet. I wanted to tell you first.”

Flinging my arms around her neck, I squeeze her tight. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll accept.”

“Yes,” I gasp, letting her go. “I’d be more than happy to.”

“Good. I’ll contact my lawyer and get the papers drawn up.”

“Sounds perfect to me.” My dreams are finally coming true. I want to tell Kai the good news, but I don’t see him anywhere. I start toward the kitchen and my dad walks out, freezing when he gets a good look at me. His gray hair is still short, combed over on the top like he’s always worn it ever since before I was born. I expect to see disappointment on his face, but there’s a smile instead, only it’s sad.

He opens his arms and closes the distance. “Lexi. It’s so good to see you, darling.”

I hug him back. “Hey, Dad.”

Placing his hands on my shoulders, he pulls me back and smiles. “I saw you talking to Sandy. Did she tell you the good news?”

I nodded happily. “She did. I’m so excited I can barely think straight.”

“When she told us, I knew you’d be happy. It’s been your dream for a long time.”

“Yes, it has,” I mention sadly. I’ve never really taken the time to talk to my father about the things I wanted out of life, not since I yelled them at him before I left for college. It was the first time I had the guts to express how I felt.

His eyes water and it makes mine burn. “I’ve missed you, Lexi. Over the last few months, I kept hoping you’d come see me.”

“It works both ways, Dad.”

He nods once and drops his gaze. “I know. I can’t turn back time, but we can go forward. Sometimes it’s hard to face the fact that I’m old and that you’re not a little girl anymore. I wanted to hold onto that for as long as I could.”

His words break my heart. “It’s okay. I know you were hard and strict because you love me.”

“I do, sweetheart. More than you’ll ever know.” He smiles again and gasps. “Oh, I have someone for you to meet.”

“Who is it?” I ask.

“A man I know. I think he’ll be a good match for you.”

Putting his arm around me, he leads me toward the kitchen, but I stop. “Dad, no, I can’t. I’m with someone now.”

His brows furrow. “Oh yeah?”

At that time, Kai appears in the doorway, mouth gaping as he looks from me to my father. “Yes,” I say nervously, pointing at Kai. “He’s right there.”

My father peers over at Kai and wide grin spreads across his face. “Well, look what we got here.”

Kai walks over, seeming unsure. “Did I miss something?”

My father extends his hand and Kai shakes it. “Obviously, we all did. You didn’t tell me you were dating my daughter.”

“Wait,” I gasp, staring curiously at them both, “how do you two know each other?”

Chuckling, my father nods at Kai. “I’ve been working with this young man on the Sweet Briar project. I gave him your number a while back. I’m glad to see you two finally met.” My father kisses me on the head. “I’ll be right back.”

As soon as he walks off, I cross my arms over my chest. “He gave you my number, huh?”

Laughing, Kai shakes his head. “Who would’ve thought it’d be you.”

I wrap my arms around his neck. “Why didn’t you call?”

He holds me tight. “I think Stan took it from me. It doesn’t matter now, we’re together. The coincidence is uncanny.”

“Some would say it’s fate, but I don’t know if I believe in that stuff.”

His lips connect with mine and I melt into him. “Either way, you’re mine now.”

“Yes, I am.”

* * *

The dinner went great and my parents absolutely love Kai, so do the women from the church. My parents made us promise to visit them every other Sunday afternoon after my father’s done with his church sermons. It’s late by the time we arrive back at Kai’s apartment. My eyes are heavy and all I want to do is sleep.

Kai opens the door and he follows me into the bedroom. Laying down on the bed, I breathe in the smell of him on the sheets. “Has the excitement worn you out?” he asks with a laugh.

Grinning from ear to ear, I hold his pillow to my chest. “You have no idea. Everything’s falling into place just the way I want it.”

He lies down beside me. “I know. You and Dani have a lot of talking to do when you go back to work.”

“I can’t believe I’m going to be part owner of Let’s Get Baked. I don’t have to start from scratch.”

“No, you don’t. I’m here if you need help.”

I place my hand on top of his. “I know you are. You have no idea how much I appreciate that.”

He kisses my hand. “I understand now why you and your father didn’t get along when you were growing up. He’s a preacher who wanted his daughter to keep her innocence.”

“Yeah,” I agree. “I feel so guilty for avoiding him. I just didn’t want to hear him preach to me about what I’m doing wrong in this world.”

“Did he do that tonight?”

A tear falls down the side of my face. “No, that’s what makes my heart ache. By avoiding him, I’ve hurt him. The sadness in his eyes is something I don’t ever want to see again.”

“You won’t have to,” he murmurs. “I think we made him happy tonight. Not to mention, your parents conned us into visiting them every other weekend.”

I burst out laughing. “Yes, they did.”

Kai grabs my waist and slides me into his body. “I’m starting to get used to this.”

Snuggling into his arms, I breathe him in. “Me too.” I close my eyes and I can feel my mind drifting away.

“I love you, Alex.”

I smile. “And I love you.”