My Dad's College Friends - Cassandra Dee Page 0,30

but again it doesn’t really matter one way or another, so I haven’t really asked around. The only reason I even know that he didn’t go to college is because I ran into Mrs. Money at the grocery store the other day.”

Toni looks over with interest.

“How is Mrs. Money, by the way? I haven’t seen her around lately and she must have been devastated to know her son was hooking up with her soon-to-be-stepdaughter.”

Nodding, I answer.

“She seems okay. She’s always been a workaholic, and I don’t think that’s changed. Plus, after that whole thing with Roger and Carmen came out, she called off the wedding. It was just too fucked up. In all of that craziness, she’s the one person I actually feel bad for.”

Dad chimes in.

“Well, I say good riddance to Roger. Clearly, you were the best thing to ever happen to that boy.”

I laugh as Toni, Ryan, and Reese chorus, “Hear, hear!” What did I ever do to deserve such a loving, protective family?

As the meal wraps up, my dad turns to Reese and Ryan. His expression is friendly, and I smile from ear to ear. I’m so glad that their friendship has been repaired. Twenty years is a lot to flush down the drain, and I didn’t want to be the cause of that.

Mike grins at the men and asks, “So, what’s up with the bigger house? I thought you guys loved the old house.”

Reese answers, “Oh we did. Ryan and I lived there for over a decade, but we figured that we could use a bigger place now that we’re a family of four. And if we ever do decide to have another child, everything will be easier with more space.”

Toni turns to stare at me with an excited look on her face.

“Is there something you need to tell your best friend?”

Chuckling at her excitement, I shake my head, “Umm, no crazy girl. We just had Michelle, so how about a breather for my lady parts?”

Dad interrupts.

“Can we please not talk about your lady parts?”

Shaking my head at his mock horror, I giggle.

“Okay Dad. But no Toni, we have nothing to announce. We’re just trying to be prepared in case that ever changes in the future.”

Dad gives us a side-look as he adds, “Well, I’m with Toni on this one. I wouldn’t mind another grandchild.”

Throwing my hands into the air, I ask, “What has gotten into you guys? No more baby talk for the rest of the night!” Trying to change the subject, I looked at Dad and ask, “Since everyone wants to be in my personal life, I think turnabout is fair play. So, Dad, have you been seeing anyone lately? I hate to think that you’re all alone in that big house of yours. You should really look into finding someone to share your life with.”

Reese can barely hold his laughter in as Dad turns beet red. Meanwhile, Toni is looking down at the table as her cheeks flush too.

“Umm…well…I have actually been seeing someone, but we’ve decided to take it slow right now,” my dad hedges.

Watching Toni fidget with the hem of her shirt, I decide to tease a little more. With a huge smile on my face, I exclaim, “Oh that’s wonderful, Dad! Is it someone we know? You should bring her over sometime to meet the family. You know we’d love to meet her.” Trying not to laugh at Dad’s embarrassment, Ryan makes excuses to disappear into the kitchen to grab the pie.

Dad mumbles, “I think we’ll wait on that for right now, but when we’re ready to go to public, you guys will be the first to know.”

As I got ready to tease them one more time, Ryan squeezes my knee as he says, “I think we’ve tortured the poor man enough. I’m sure he’ll bring her over when he’s ready. But for now, sweetheart, let’s eat dessert.”

We spent the rest of the evening savoring the blueberry pie and laughing and enjoying our time together. I’m so happy. This is my family, with my dad, Toni, Michelle, and most of all, Reese and Ryan, surrounding me.

After our guests depart, we put Michelle in her crib and then climb into the big bed ourselves.

“I’m so happy,” I sigh with bliss, cuddling close to the two huge forms of my lovers. “This is everything I could ever possibly dream of wanting.”

Pleased with my answer, Ryan squeezes my waist as he places a quick kiss on the nape of my neck. Ryan, meanwhile,