“Enough children!” Jamie laughed. “It’s water under the bridge. How about we all agree to let it go?” She elbowed Alex. “Cheeky bugger.”
“Jamie!” Her father cleared his throat. “I plan on continuing these lunch dates and please tell your mom, I’m not having an affair. That’s the whole reason I had to tell her.”
Jamie grinned and she felt the tension in her stomach go away. “Mom, I’m seeing your husband.” She beamed at her dad. “That’s all I wanted to hear, Dad.”
The band began playing as the meal finished up. The obligatory first dance, and then the father-daughter dance, followed by another slow song for couples to join the wedding couple.
“Dance with me, Jamie,” her father asked, and pulled her away from Alex before he could ask her.
“Of course,” Jamie said, flashing an apologetic smile to Alex, who nodded and went to sit back down.
“I’m glad you came,” her dad said. “And I’m happy you and Christine have made up. Truly.”
“So am I,” she said as her dad twirled her. “It’s nice being part of the family again.”
“You always were, Jamie,” he said, grinning. “We can just be assholes sometimes.” His face grew serious after they danced a bit. “What’s going on between you and Alex? Are the two of you dating?”
Jamie flushed. It didn’t matter how old she got. Her father asking her about her love life would always be awkward. “Dad.”
“I’m serious,” he said. “Are you dating?”
“It’s complicated,” Jamie said.
“I’d tell you not to let him go, but I doubt he would leave you even if you tried to pry him loose.”
Jamie raised an eyebrow. “What are you saying?”
He smiled. “I’m saying he loves you, Jamie. More than anything. He’s proved himself to be a good guy, and he deserves a chance with you.” He cleared his throat. “And you know I don’t say that lightly.” He tilted his head. “Are you not in love with him?”
Jamie shrugged. “I don’t know,” she lied. “I think Alex’s heart is in the right place, but I’m just not sure it’ll work out. I mean, he’s my boss, and he doesn’t really do committed relationships.” Her face burned with embarrassment. She needed to figure out a way to stop the constant blushing, it was getting ridiculous.
“He’s already committed to you, Jamie,” her father said. “He just hasn’t told you yet because he doesn’t want to scare you away.”
Jamie stared at her father. “How many times have you guys talked, exactly?”
He gri
nned. “Just once. After he told me to take you to lunch. He asked me what he should do to win you over. It’s a father’s job to scope out bullshit, and I know he’s being completely genuine. We’re not perfect, Jamie. We all make mistakes. Give him a chance to try and fix his.”
“I can’t believe he went to you for dating advice,” Jamie grumbled. Not only was her dad a terrible example when it came to romantic relationships, but it was so awkward.
“You’ll get over it,” he said bluntly. “I’m telling you, Jamie, he’s a good guy and I don’t think there’s a better fit for you out there.”
“We’ll see.” She still wasn’t convinced things would work out. It might take her leaving her job for them to have a relationship. Maybe talking to Nicholas wouldn’t be a bad idea. She loved her job, but she was pretty sure she was in love with Alex more.
The song ended and Alex came up to her. “May I have the next dance?”
Her father smiled and backed away. “Think about it, Jamie,” he said as he went to join his wife at the table.
Alex raised an eyebrow. “What was that about?”
Jamie flushed. “Nothing.”
The band started playing a slow dance and Alex smiled at her as he slipped his arm around her waist. “You look incredible. That dress is amazing. Remind me to not let you wear something like that to an office party. I might start a fight.”
She smiled back at him. She knew she was blushing more than anything and she looked down, wishing she could hide it.
“Hey, why are you looking at the floor?” Alex said. “Believe it or not, I do know how to dance. I won’t step on your feet.”