Page 80 of Dreams and Reptiles

Francis slid a bowl of chocolate ice cream my way, and I grinned at him.

“How did you know?”

“Remember our night of silly trivia? I was paying attention.” He winked at me and took the used bowls to the sink to wash them.

“So Francis? How does your business work? You said this place is an artists’ retreat?”

“Yes, and event space. It’s still a work in progress, but so far, I’ve hosted a dance social, a romance authors’ writer retreat, I have a guest right now who’s doing a private retreat, and I’ve got my first paint-and-sip class scheduled this week. I’ve got a wedding booked in two months that, phew, I need to follow up. They’ve already sent me a shit-ton of emails.”

“What’s the dance social?”

“Oh, I have a teacher who gives a quick partner dancing lesson, then the guests dance for the next couple hours. It’s basically a big party. The next one is this week. You should come!”

Shay looked at me for… what? Approval? Permission? Attending an event at Francis’s house would comingle our personal lives in an interesting way. I found I didn’t dislike the idea. She was an adult; it made sense.

“I think Dad and I have a lot to talk about,” she finally said, standing from the chair. “And I think I need to do some journaling and get some sleep. I’m sorry I brought down the evening.”

“You did no such thing,” Francis said, smiling at her. “Get some rest. Happy to talk more about the whole existential crisis extravaganza.”

I hugged her tight as she thanked Francis.

“Anytime,” he said.

I let her go and went to Francis’s side.

“I’m going to take her home,” I said, as I bent to kiss his cheek. “I’ll miss you,” I whispered in his ear.

“I’ll text you.” His expression worried me, though. There were cracks in confident, saucy Francisville.

“Okay.”

He patted my back and followed us to the slider.

“Happy to make breakfast tomorrow, if you two are up for it?”

“Thank you,” Shay said. She glanced at Francis and then turned with a wave to walk down the path.

“Thanks, baby,” I said, kissing Francis once more. “I’m sorry.”

“Go, darling. See you tomorrow.”

I hated walking away, but I had to have hope that Francis would continue to understand.

“Are you guys at the staying-at-each-other’s-houses phase yet? Because if so, you don’t have to babysit me.”

“We are, and I’m not babysitting you. We have things to talk about. I’m happy you’re here. I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you, too.”

We walked back with our arms around each other, and I felt her let out a big sigh.

“He’s really cute. And funny. I never in a million years would have pictured you with a guy like him, but I like it.”

“I know. I don’t know what he’s doing with me, either.”

She smacked my stomach, and I grunted.

“Dad. You always act like you’re not a catch, but you’re such a catch. I think Francis thinks so, too.”