“Probably just worried about you, sir. She was pretty shaken up.”

Norma walked in with her father’s cup of coffee. The moment her dad’s attention was averted from them, she loosened Alex’s hold on her.

“Well, she can stop worrying. I’m just fine.” Her dad reached for the cup of coffee and asked Alex to take a seat. He sat down on the sofa, bringing Valerie with him. Alex had always been comfortable around her dad. Even when she first met him, and her dad made Alex come in and talk before leaving with Valerie on a date. Alex seemed to enjoy her father’s spunk.

Norma’s phone rang, and she excused herself to take the call.

Once seated, Alex took her hand in his, resting them both on his thick thigh.

“So, you think you’re good enough to marry my little girl, uh?”

“I’m not sure anyone will ever be good enough for Valerie.” Alex smiled. “But I’ll certainly do my best to try and make her happy.”

This was the last conversation Valerie thought she’d be having today. Thankfully, her dad asked Alex about how the restaurant was doing. Alex filled him in on it and told him about Sal’s plans to turn it into a franchise just as soon as he finished school.

“What about you? Do you plan on finishing school?”

Valerie felt Alex tense up. She knew what a chip on his shoulder he had about not having finished college.

“The restaurant is doing so good, Dad. Alex barely gets any time off as it is.”

Alex squeezed her hand. “I’m hiring more help. As soon as we get them all trained and we have enough staff to handle the restaurant a few days out of the week without me, I plan on going back.”

Her dad seemed pleased. That was news to Valerie. She wondered how much else he hadn’t been sharing with her lately. Thoughts of him spying on her and snooping into her past with Luke rang in her head like a clamoring bell. She tried unclasping her hand from his but he only held it tighter.

After a half hour more of talking, Norma came back. “I’m sorry about that. My sister keeps me on the phone so long.” She turned to Alfred, phone still in her hand. “Luna wanted me to wish you a speedy recovery.”

“Speaking of…” Valerie stood up and Alex stood with her. “You need to get to bed, dad. No late nights for you, doctor’s orders.”

Both she and Norma tried to help him up. He waved them both away. “I got this.”

Her father excused himself, insisting he didn’t need either of them fussing over him. He could get himself in bed just fine. But Valerie insisted on walking with him to his room.

“I’ll be back, Alex.”

She turned to her father who was still shaking his head at her and held his elbow. “Let’s go, Mister.”

CHAPTER 28

Alex watched amused at the way Valerie bossed her dad. They disappeared into the hallway, but he could still hear the stubborn man’s protests. He ambled around the room stopping when he came to the table with all the pictures. Her dad still had Valerie’s high school senior picture up. That was the year he first met her. Seeing it made him remember how he felt about her even back then. The same as he did now.

He picked up the picture, examining it closer. He traced her lips with his finger. Why the hell had it taken him this long to finally figure out he was crazy about this girl?

“Why are you here, Alex?”

Alex turned around. Valerie leaned against the doorframe to the hallway arms crossed.

He put the picture back down. “We need to talk.”

Norma walked in from behind Valerie. “Excuse me honey, your father needs a glass of water to take his medicine.”

Valerie moved, letting her through. They both waited until Norma walked into the kitchen. Valerie spoke in a hushed voice. “I told you, not tonight. This is neither the time nor the place.”

“We don’t have to talk about everything tonight. But there are some things that can’t wait.”

Norma walked back in the room holding a glass of water and smiled. As soon as she was past Valerie and in the hallway, Alex spoke up again. “I wasn’t spying on you. I swear.”

Valerie looked back into the hallway. “How does you watching me for my own safety have anything to do with me and Luke?”

Me and Luke. Alex couldn’t even stand hearing her say it. His hand fisted involuntarily. “We can talk about that later but-”

“No we will not. What happened between me and Luke is none of your—” She halted when Norma came from behind her again.

“Sorry to keep interrupting, but your father forgot his reading glasses out here.”

“That’s fine Norma,” Valerie said and started to the front door. “Alex was just getting ready to leave anyway.”

Norma grabbed the glasses from the table next to the recliner where Alfred had been sitting. “It was nice seeing you again, Alex. Tell your parents I said hello.”

Alex forced a smile. “Sure thing, nice seeing you too.”

She turned and walked back into the hallway. With three long strides, he was at Valerie’s side. She opened the front door and he took her hand, bringing her out to the porch with him. As soon as the door closed behind them, he pulled her to him and kissed her. He’d only been away from her a day, and a hunger like no other invaded his entire body. But he restrained himself, instead kissing softly, savoring the luscious moment. She didn’t fight him, but after a moment she pulled away, breathless.