Page 74 of Aiden & Lily

Lily nodded. “Very much so. In fact, he’s helped me realize something about myself.”

Her father tilted his head, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

She twisted her glass around in her hands and stared down at the water. Then she took a breath and pushed forward.

“I want to study animal medicine. I’m still figuring out whether that means becoming a veterinarian or starting as a vet technician, but I want to look at programs. If we can make it work, I’d like to begin taking classes in the fall.”

His bushy brows lifted. “You want to go to college?”

“There are trade programs that specialize in just animal care, too. But yes. I want to go back to school.”

Her father nodded slowly, more to himself than to her. “Okay.”

Her heart leaped. “Okay?”

He raked a hand through his hair, then succumbed to her request. “Yeah, darlin’. If this is what you want, we’ll make it happen.”

Lily squealed and threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you, Daddy. Thank you so much.” When she pulled back, he was smiling too.

Her phone began buzzing in her pocket. She held up a finger as she pulled it out. When she saw the name on the screen, she said, “I’ll be back to help set the table for supper.” Then she hurried from the room.

“Reese!” The excitement from her conversation with her father still filled her voice. “I wasn’t expecting to hear from you until you got back. Is your schedule easing up at all?”

“Not as much as I’d like,” he said. “But I got a long enough break today, and guess who I chose to grace with my amazing personality?”

She snickered as she headed for her room. “Ever so humble.”

“I have a surprise for you.”

“Really?” Lily closed her bedroom door behind her. “What is it?”

“I’ll be back in time for your birthday party.”

She squealed. “That’s the second-best news I’ve gotten today.”

“Second best?” he muttered. “What happened? Please don’t tell me that boyfriend of yours proposed.”

“What? Of course not. We’re not that far yet.”

“But he exists?” Reese asked, laughter beneath the words. “You’re not just pretending to date someone so I’ll finally move on?”

“He exists.”

“And will he be at your party so I can meet him?”

“Absolutely.”

“Really?” Reese sounded genuinely surprised. “Wow. So things have moved forward, then.”

“Yep. Everything is changing for the better.” She worried her lower lip as she paced beside her bed. “But he is a private person. I don’t think he likes having attention on him.”

“I’m not going to make a scene, Lils,” Reese said with a chuckle. “If you care about him, I’m sure he’s a good man. Someone you deserve.”

Her smile softened. “I’m lucky to have you as a friend.”

He groaned dramatically. “You have no idea how much that word can hurt sometimes.”

They both laughed.