“That is real advice,” Mason says. “You give and receive. I give by going to that restaurant your mom loves, and I get by…” He grins and winks.
“What Mason is trying to say is,” Mom adds, “in order for a marriage to be successful, you have to be willing to give and take.”
“And keep it fresh,” Charlie adds. “Surprise her with flowers just because. Don’t wait for a holiday.” She beams at her husband. “I love when Tristan comes home with dinner or my favorite candy on a random night.”
“Start your relationship with a firm foundation,” Mason says. “What you do now will set the tone for your entire relationship. Make sure she knows she comes first. Take her out, order in, cook her dinner, find time to spend alone time together. It doesn’t have to mean spending money, just being there is what creates that foundation.”
Mom smiles softly at Mason, as I soak in every word he says. He might be one of the biggest smartasses I know, but he makes my mom happy, and I want nothing more than to make Lexi happy.
“Always communicate,” Mom says when he’s done speaking. “No matter how hard the truth is, always give it.”
“Don’t run,” Charlie adds softly. “There will be ups and down along the way, but never run, unless it’s to each other. Face whatever comes your way together.”
Tristan kisses her cheek then says, “If you ever need anything, we’re here. Always.”
“Thank you,” I tell them. “Lexi is planning to tell everyone we’re dating at dinner tonight, so try to act surprised.”
“Oh, that’s why she texted me she wants to do dinner with all of us,” Charlie says with a laugh. “I thought for sure she was going to announce she’s dropping out of school and wanted an audience so her father wouldn’t kill her.”
“Have you bought a ring?” Mom asks.
“Yeah.” I pull it out of my pocket and show them. The guys congratulate me, and the women ooh and aah over it.
“Once I figure out when I’m going to ask her, I’ll let you know, so you can plan the celebration,” I tell Charlie.
“Sounds perfect,” she says. “We better head out before Lexi gets here and finds us all together.” She and Tristan both hug me then leave.
Once it’s just Mason, my mom, and me, they both stand and walk over to me.
“I wish your father were here,” Mom says, getting choked up.
“I know,” I tell her. “Me too.”
“He would be so proud of you,” she says into my shirt.
When we separate, Mason says, “I’ve told you this before. I can’t and won’t attempt to replace your dad, but I’m here if you need anything.”
I choke out a laugh. “You’ve said that to me so many times over the years, but what you don’t get is, you’re just as much of a dad to me as mine was.”
With tears in his eyes, Mason nods and pulls me into a hug. “Thank you, Son, that means the world to me.”
“Alec, are you okay?” Lexi asks, pulling me out of my thoughts. “You have tears in your eyes.”
“Yeah.” I clear my throat. “I was just thinking about my dad.” Not a complete lie… But I can’t tell her the entire truth without admitting I met with her dad before the barbeque.
I pull into the parking garage and Lexi looks around. “I wasn’t paying attention to where we were going. Where are we?”
“You’ll see.”
We get out of the vehicle and walk through the garage, ending up on Seaton Street. Immediately, Lexi’s face lights up. “We’re in the Arts District!”
“Yep, I figured you could show me around since it’s your favorite place. We can go by a couple of the galleries, and then get lunch.”
Lexi stares at me for a long second, then nods. “That sounds like the perfect first date.”
She takes my hand and, since she knows this area like the back of her hand, proceeds to show me around. We walk up one street then down another, while Lexi and I discuss each graffitied piece.
“This is the Colette Miller Angel Wings Project,” Lexi says when we step onto Colyton Street.
“What’s that?” I ask, as we walk over to the life-size angel-looking wings that are painted on the wall.
“She created this project to remind people that we are the angels of this Earth. It’s our job to be the good.” She steps between the multicolored wings and turns around. “Take a picture of me.”
I pull my phone out and snap the picture. “You are without a doubt the most beautiful angel,” I tell her, putting my phone away and pulling her into my arms.
“This is what I want to do,” she says, pointing to the wings.
“Draw on the walls? You already do that, Lex, and your pieces are amazing.”
“No, not that. I want to make a difference with my art. I want it to be something people recognize, and not because it’s graffitied on a wall or because it’s good, but because it means something.”