Alex winced inwardly. He didn’t share with his father about his “relationships.” His father wouldn’t approve of his three-month rule, but it worked for Alex. At least it used to. If he wasn’t careful, he would lose track. He dismissed the thought.
“You okay?” His father raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah, I’m good.” He laced his fingers together. “I wanted to tell you that they have extended our tour.”
“That’s good.”
“I’ll call.”
“You always do, so don’t worry,” his father said.
Alex couldn’t help but worry. He’d come home too many nights in high school finding his father passed out on the couch drunk. Being in love with his mother had left him broken. Alex didn’t mind being like his father, but not when it came to love. He stayed clear. Love wouldn’t trap him—not again.
When the doorbell rang, both men turned their heads. Alex squinted his eyes.
“Who’s that?”
His father cleared his throat and stood from his chair. The man even straightened his collar.
“Should I worry now?” Alex patted his father’s back.
His father narrowed his eyes at him but only chuckled. “It’s nothing.”
“Uh, huh,” Alex said.
His father’s hands fidgeted, so he opened the door. Alex stared at the gorgeous woman standing on his father’s porch. He knew her face. She reminded him of... Noelle. Tommy’s girlfriend. Alex knew her name. It started with a... F. He’d seen her at the winter ball. Noelle’s aunt. It had to be. She didn’t show often to their local performances, but he knew her face.
She held something in her hand. A watch. “I found this in my car. I assume it’s yours.” She handed it to his father. Then she directed her attention to Alex. “You must be Alex.” She extended her hand to him.
Alex shook her hand. He didn’t recall her being this nice before. She had been known around town as... uptight. “I am. Nice to meet you. You’re Noelle’s aunt, right? I’ve seen you at some of our local shows.”
She smiled a bright smile. “I am. She calls me Aunt Fran, though I prefer—”
“Francesca,” his father said.
Alex raised his eyebrows. Did his father’s eyes dilate? Ms. Francesca’s eyes diverted to his dad, but then she cleared her throat.
“Anyway, you did wonders on my car. I saw that on my passenger floor, so I wanted to return it to you,” she said.
Alex smirked. His father was the best mechanic in Bridge Point, owning his own shop downtown. The man even saved over the years and bought Alex his first drum set.
“Anyway, you have a great evening.” She faced Alex. “Good luck on the tour. Noelle told me they have extended it. You guys have a great time.”
“We will. Thank you,” Alex said.
“Goodnight, Francesca. Thanks again,” his father said.
She nodded and made her way back to her BMW. Alex closed the door after her. He stared at his father.
His father stuffed his watch inside his pocket. “What?”
Alex never thought about his father moving on. Was that a good idea? He shook his head. “Nothing, Dad. Nothing at all.”
***
Zoe browsed the best seller wall in the bookstore. She even passed the section of discontinued books, inhaling the dry scent of paper mixed with the wood smell from the pine shelving. Customers murmured around her.
She didn’t hesitate coming to the bookstore this time after her shift at Pam’s Diner. Once she made her choice, she would head home and curl up on the couch with a cup of iced tea. She gave a slight smile. Roslyn would joke, calling her an “old woman in a young woman’s body.”