The Forever Gift

by Donna K. Weaver

  Dylan looked up at Rae, glad he’d decided to tell her. She was always the best sounding board.

  “As always, you’re right. Thank you.” He rose, resisting once again the temptation to kiss her. At least, if he were busy, he’d have something to distract him from her. A little.

  4

  After two weeks, Rae had received a surprisingly high number of eRapport contact requests. She felt like she suddenly had a score of pen pals, especially when she discovered a couple of the men were from outside of the US. She found it fun to learn about them and appreciated how the system required them to spend time getting acquainted. One local man had suggested they hook up on the second message. She’d told him to try a different app. He’d been ugly in his response, so she’d blocked and reported him.

  Eventually, she would face the possibility of having to meet some of these men. The thought made her a little sick to her stomach. Amelia’s suggestion that some of her new contacts might be catfishers also made her uneasy. As a result, Rae worked hard to be scrupulously honest about her intentions. If she were ever to meet any of the men, she wanted them to feel like they already knew her. She had to hope they’d be as forthright themselves.

  If only she could talk with Dylan about it. Ever since she’d almost kissed him, their relationship had turned strained. It made her sad. Of all the times to need a best friend to talk to, it was now. It felt like they’d had a fight, except they hadn’t. Was she the one making things awkward between them? If so, she’d have to fix it or go crazy.

  Hearing his voice coming from the back room, Rae took a breath. Might as well start now.

  Dylan entered the office, his attention on his phone. He made his way to the chair beside her desk and sat down without glancing at her.

  “Have you heard anything?” she whispered.

  He glanced at her, looking confused. “Why are you whispering?” He leaned closer, his expression conspiratorial.

  “Have you had any contact requests on eRapport?”

  A flush rose up Dylan’s neck. He had, and he hadn’t told her. Why?

  “Anyone look promising?” Rae forced herself to ask. She had an overwhelming need to know what kind of women eRapport would think were matches for him. A funny look crossed his face, and she wished she could read his mind.

  “I’ve been messaging a few of them.” He shrugged. “One in particular has been pushing for us to meet.”

  That fast? Rae had already worried he’d eventually find someone, marry, and move on to have his own family. Which was totally selfish of her to wish wouldn’t happen. She might not be able to consider it for her own future, but he deserved to find a good woman, one who would be able to love and accept Jayden as though he were her own child. Rae was determined to watch out for Dylan’s interests.

  “You’ve already fulfilled the minimum requirements to meet in person?” she asked.

  “Yeah.” Dylan straightened, looking surprised. “Haven’t you?”

  “Almost, but only with one. I’ve been taking my time.”

  “Is it someone you’d be willing to meet in person?” He seemed more alert than he had a moment earlier.

  “I don’t know.” Rae glanced away, uncomfortable at voicing the concerns she’d been fighting.

  “Not a good match for you?” Dylan asked the question slowly, like he’d had to choose his words carefully.

  “Meeting him in person would make it too real.”

  “Seriously, Rae? Isn’t meeting people in person kind of the point?”

  “For him, maybe.” She rested her elbows on the desk and rubbed her temples. “When Amelia first suggested the dating site, it seemed like a good idea. I have been closing myself off.” Rae glanced at Dylan. “If not for you, I’d have turned into a total hermit.”

  “Then why are you having second thoughts?”

  “Because the more I get to know these men through messaging, the more I realize they’re looking for something I can’t give them.”

  Dylan’s eyes flashed. “Has anyone made any inappropriate—”

  “No.” Rae told him about the hookup guy. “None of these other guys have said anything creepy.”

  “Then what’s bothering you?”

  “They’re looking for something serious, not casual dating.” Rae let out a long sigh. Why hadn’t Amelia found a site for people who were only looking for a social life? Not hookups and not marriage.

  “Sorry if I overreacted.” Dylan looked both embarrassed and relieved. She found it kind of sweet that he’d been concerned for her. He said, “You stated up front you’re only interested in dating widely, right? That means the guys should know what they’re getting into. But you need to understand this—if a guy is really interested in you, he’ll think he can change your mind.”

  There was something unexpectedly intense in his expression, and Rae didn’t know what to think of it. She still hadn’t told anyone about her decision not to remarry until her children were grown. Amelia would undoubtedly argue about it and wouldn’t let it go. Dylan might understand, but she wasn’t sure he wouldn’t try to change her mind too.

  Thanks to his friendship, Rae was finally climbing out of the despair that had nearly overwhelmed her after Mike’s death. With that and Dylan taking on the job of a male role model for her children, what more did she need? Her life had come to a good place, something she’d wondered if she could have again. Why couldn’t it simply stay this way?

  “What about you?” she asked. “Have you had second thoughts about doing this?”

  Dylan leaned back in the chair, wearing his serious face. Once again, he seemed to give his words a lot of thought before he finally spoke.

  “I was thinking I should take up Cynthia on her invitation to meet.”

  “She goes by Cynthia, not Cindy?”

  “She said it goes with her business.” Dylan shrugged. “She’s into interior design.”

  “Style by Cynthia?” Jasmine, the termite account bookkeeper, asked, standing in the doorway between the two offices.

  Rae frowned, irritated the other woman had been eavesdropping.

  “You’ve heard of it?” Dylan asked.

  “Oh, yeah. My mother likes her stuff. She does cool videos on decorating.” Jasmine shot him a sly look. “I’ve met her before, and she seems a little classy for a pest control guy.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with a pest control guy.” Rae shot him a meaningful look.

  The corners of his mouth twitched. What would Jasmine say if she knew he could soon be her boss? Mr. G. hadn’t mentioned Dylan buying the company again, so he and Rae had decided the night before he’d approach the old man for more information.

  “Dylan cleans up really nice,” Rae said.

  “Whatever.” Jasmine rolled her eyes.

  “Don’t listen to her.” Rae glanced at him and found he was laughing softly. “What?”

  “I’m not laughing at you. I was thinking my father would agree with her.” Dylan turned thoughtful. “I’ll have to look back and see if I ever mentioned what I do for a living. Jasmine may have a point.” He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Anyway, I don’t want to meet her alone.”

  “You won’t be alone. You’ll be with her.”

  “That’s not what I mean. I was thinking about a group date. It’d take off a lot of the pressure.” He got that odd expression again, and she wondered what secret insecurities he might be hiding. Until Amelia had come up with this dating thing, Rae had thought she and Dylan had talked about everything. Now she wondered what he’d been holding back. He asked, “What if we did it together? You and your guy, and me and Cynthia.”

  Rae’s spirits lifted. Nothing could be too bad with Dylan there, and she’d have a chance to see what kind of woman this Cynthia was.

  “That might be fun,” she said. “I think I could handle meeting someone in a group.”

  “What’s this about a group?” Amelia asked, stepping around the corner.

  Rae wondered how
long she’d been listening too. They really needed to save these conversations for when they were home and wouldn’t have an office full of potential listeners. Amelia might be a godly woman, but she had her flaws like anybody else, and she didn’t have any compunction about eavesdropping. Dylan, of course, looked completely unfazed.

  “We were talking about having our first dates together as a group,” he said.

  Amelia exchanged glances with him, and something seemed to pass between them. It was almost like they were keeping a secret from Rae.

  “What are you two up to?” she asked.

  “Dylan’s been out of the dating pool far too long,” Amelia said. “I think a group date would be the perfect solution.”

  “Then show me some sympathy, okay?” Rae asked. “I’d like to go on a double date, assuming my guy is ready for it.” She hoped he wasn’t.

  “What’s his name anyway?” Amelia asked.

  “Ruben.” Rae schooled her features, wondering what the others would say. Not that there was anything wrong with the name.

  For the first time since Amelia had first suggested the whole dating thing, she looked worried. “Isn’t that an old man’s name?”

  “No, it’s not an old man’s name,” Rae said.

  “Yeah.” Dylan named a famous soccer player.

  “Don’t forget that R&B singer,” Rae added.

  Amelia shot them both a flat look. “I can see Dylan knowing the name of a soccer player, but since when did you start liking R&B, Rae?”

  “I haven’t.” She laughed. “I thought the same thing as you and looked up guys named Ruben. I was surprised at how many there are.”

  “Ruben. Where have I heard that name?” Dylan pulled out his phone. “What’s his last name?”

  “Zabala.”

  “Zabala.” He did a search on his phone. “Ru-ben. You’re talking about Ben Zabala, the attorney?”

  “Well, he did say he’s a lawyer,” Rae said, “but his account says Ruben. Do you know him?”

  “There’s a partner in my father’s firm named Ben Zabala.” Dylan held out his phone so Rae could see the picture. “Is this him?”

  “That looks like his picture on eRapport.”

  Frowning, Dylan jumped to his feet. “Well, I should get the little dude from his sitter.” He started to leave but turned back. “Let me know what Ruben says about going out.”

  Rae could tell he was irritated with her, and she had no idea why.

  “I’m not sure what just happened,” she said when he’d gone.

  “If you haven’t noticed, hon, Dylan’s shy.” Amelia sank into the chair by Rae’s desk and stretched her feet in front of her. “I think it’s sweet of him to do this for you.”

  “For me? How is he doing this for me? I thought he was doing it for you.”

  “That boy would not be on a dating site for an old woman like me. He’s doing this to support you, and it’s scaring him to death. Don’t you remember how nervous he was to sing in public?”

  “You mean at the flash mob you talked him into doing with you last Christmas?” Rae had been there when he’d sung with Amelia and her church group at the mall. It had been a bucket-list moment.

  “But he only agreed because he wouldn’t have to do it alone. I can guarantee you he wouldn’t have done a solo up there. It’s the same thing with this. He wants to support you, and now he’s being faced with having to go on a blind date.”

  Amelia was right. Rae had never seen him so nervous as when he’d sung at the mall. Later, he’d finally agreed to sing solo for her, but only with the stipulation that she accompany him. It had meant she’d had to start practicing her piano again which hadn’t been a bad thing. Then he’d pulled her into singing with him too. The Littles had wanted to participate and even Beth was trying to take part now.

  But it hadn’t occurred to Rae that Dylan had gone along with the dating site to help her. It made her heart give a little lurch. He was such a good friend. If he were doing this for her, then she could ask Ruben if he’d like to go out to dinner. If he wasn’t interested, it didn’t really matter. She’d know soon enough.

  Dylan was still irritated as he strode to his car. He might be crazy about Rae, but her blindness to his real motivations got to him sometimes. It was almost like she thought he was an extension of her, so, of course, he saw things the same way she did. Would she ever see he was in love with her and wanted to be the one taking her out? He put his frustration into kicking a rock. When it almost hit a GPC truck, he winced.

  “Careful there, unless you want to pay for a new paint job.”

  Dylan closed his eyes. “You’re right, sir.” Opening his eyes, he turned to face Mr. G. and said, “I’ve done what you asked.”

  “And what did you decide?” The older man’s voice had gone from humorous to neutral. His body had stiffened, almost like he were preparing himself for bad news.

  “We think I need more information.”

  “We?” Mr. G. arched a brow, his posture relaxing a little. “As in you and Rae?”

  “Yes, Rae. I couldn’t imagine making a big decision like this without talking it over with her first.”

  “Sounds like me and the missus. That’s why, when she said I needed to start planning my retirement, I paid attention. You waiting until it’s been a year after Rae’s husband’s death to pop the question?”

  Dylan stared at him.

  “Don’t worry,” Mr. G. said with a chuckle. “You’ve helped her a lot this last year. You’ll make a good couple.” His expression turned considering. “A power couple, but one with heart.”

  “About your earlier proposition . . .” Dylan began. After having thought about it since that first meeting, he thought he understood why Mr. G. had made the offer. He didn’t want to sell his business to a conglomeration.

  “And what have you and Rae decided?” the older man asked.

  “That I need more information. I’m interested—”

  “That’s wonderful!” Mr. G. suddenly pulled Dylan into a fierce man hug. “My entire life has been tied to this company, and I couldn’t bear to turn it over to someone unworthy of it.”

  “But I haven’t said I’ll do it. That I can do it.” Had he done the wrong thing?

  “Don’t you worry about that part.” Mr. G. stepped back. “I want you to have my company, so I’ll do everything I can—within reason—to make sure you’re at the helm.”

  “Financing is the main thing.” Dylan shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’m not rich, and you want to retire.”

  “I’ve had my attorney and accountant look at funding options in case you wanted to do this. I’m sure we’ll find something that will work.” Mr. G.’s expression turned serious. “It will make it easier if you have some capital to put toward it. I know you and your father don’t get along, but do you think he might be willing to partner with you on this?”

  “I’d never go into business with him.” The thought left a bad taste in Dylan’s mouth. Besides not wishing to be tied to his father like that, they’d never see eye-to-eye on how to run the business. “I do, however, have a trust that came from my maternal grandfather. It’s not mine until I’m thirty, unless I can talk my father into releasing it sooner.”

  “Well, we can work with that. I’ll have my people contact you for details, so they can work it into the plans.” Mr. G. grinned and clapped Dylan on the back. “It’s great to have you in the family for real now.” Without another word, he turned and left.

  It looked like Dylan’s life was about to change big time. Again.

  5

  When Dylan had suggested they go on their first dates together, he’d had no idea how hard it would be to work around everyone’s schedules. That had included Amelia who was watching the kids. He knew she enjoyed tending them, but she must really be invested in this idiotic dating ploy because it looked like she could be doing a lot of babysitting if he and Rae lined up dates on the same nights.

  He grabbed his keys, w
ishing he’d be driving to the restaurant with Rae. It made sense to him since they lived next door to each other. But she’d nixed it, saying it’d be too weird for them to arrive together when they’d be meeting other people.

  When Dylan heard the sound of Rae’s door, he opened his and paused, having to push back a surge of jealousy. The little black dress fit her curves perfectly, and some other guy was going to be her date.

  “You ready for this?” Dylan asked.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.” She straightened his tie and brushed off a piece of lint from his sleeve. Did she recognize what a wifely thing it was to do? Rae said, “You look really nice.”

  “So do you.” He cleared his throat. “Couldn’t we just have dinner?”

  “Don’t we wish.” Rae slid her arm through his, and they went down the stairs.

  Amelia had taken the kids to her house for a sleepover, saying it’d be better than dragging them home late. He didn’t really expect the date to go that long. Cynthia was fun to talk to, and he liked her a lot. If he wasn’t already in love with someone else, there might even be romantic potential with her. As it was, he now understood Rae’s reticence about doing this. It’d been easy for him to tell her to be upfront with the guys she went out with, but he felt like a fraud.

  “Well,” Rae said when they reached her car, “I’m glad you’re going to be there tonight.”

  “Me too about you.” Dylan held open the door for her. “Good luck.”

  “Thanks.” She wiped her hands on her dress and slid into the seat. The gesture made him want to do the same thing on his slacks. Was it wrong for him to be glad she was as nervous as he was?

  He closed the door and jogged to his car a couple of spaces down. It’d have been so much better if he’d had someone to talk to as he drove there. Rae could talk him off the quitter ledge. He purposefully parked a few spaces down from her car, so it wouldn’t look like they’d come together.