“You’re not a child. You don’t need permission to do what you want.”
Sofia chuckled. “Have you met my family? Because you sound like you haven’t. I can’t let them know. Not now at least. They somehow would block this chance for me, like by putting me back on the night shift, or by Sal using his connections to get me kicked out of the play.”
“I’d like to think you’re being dramatic, but I’ve spoken to your mother a few times. She can be…”
“Tough as nails. She’ll give a person the shirt off her back, but she is so stubborn. It’s like she can block out anything she doesn’t want to hear.” Like me telling her I don’t want to do this anymore.
“So what are you going to do?” Dylan asked.
“I guess that depends on you really. Will you help me keep my secret?” She wouldn’t allow herself to be hopeful. There was no reason why he should say yes. Sofia wasn’t the type who would bat her eyelashes and flirt to get what she wanted either.
“So you want my help continuing on with this charade?” Dylan asked. She nodded. “Hell, why not. What do I need to know or do?”
She was so thrilled she threw her arms around his neck and gave him a quick hug. “God you’re a life saver. Thank you so much. I haven’t really thought it out. I guess you don’t say anything, that’s all.”
“And how are you going to explain being in the city so much?” he asked.
“I’m hoping they don’t find out. Guess that’s ridiculous. Maybe I can say I picked up another job.”
“No. They will just have you work more hours here. Why don’t you say we’re dating, and you were with me?”
Dylan said it so quickly that she barely could process it. “I’m not sure I understand.”
“If they think you’re alone, they’ll worry. If you’re with me, they won’t.”
Sofia laughed. “No. But there are worse things than them being worried about me.” They might actually hope we are serious about each other. “I don’t know about your parents, but mine would start planning for grandkids.”
Dylan choked. “Mine too.” They sat quietly for a minute and then he said, “I only see the two options: you either tell them the truth, or we roll the dice and let them think we’re dating.”
She peered at him. “Why would you do this for me?” Sofia knew he wanted something, but what was it?
“Consider it a thank you for delivering my donation to A Fresh Day.”
“That’s it?” she asked.
He leaned over, tipped her chin up closer to him, and said, “And maybe this.” Dylan placed the sweetest, gentlest kiss on her lips that left her head spinning. Sofia didn’t want it to end, but he pulled away and said, “We better get back inside before our dinner is cold.”
He got up and offered her a hand to get up as well. She took it but made sure to let go right away. Sofia felt as though all eyes were on her, and she wasn’t ready to initiate Dylan’s plan. This was stupid. All she was doing was adding another level of complexity to something that should be simple. Grow some and just tell them the truth. Even as she lectured herself, she knew she had to, just not today.
As they returned to their table, her mother came out. “Well I was wondering when you two were going to return. When Emily told me you went for a walk, I thought there was something wrong.”
“Sorry Mama. We just wanted to talk.”
“And you can’t do that here?” she asked.
No.“Mama, we just wanted to be alone for a minute. That’s all.”
Maria looked at Dylan closely then beamed a smile. “I understand. I was young too once upon a time. But next time, wait till after dinner.”
Dylan nodded, “We will.”
We. She didn’t want to think about a next time. But she had to admit, Dylan could smile and charm her mother very easily. That might be exactly what she needed to pull this off. It was only for a few months. After the play, everything could go back to normal. I just don’t want normal any more.
When they were alone, Dylan leaned over and said, “If you want to keep that part, you better work on your acting skills. Dating, remember?”
She was about to give him a piece of her mind when she noticed the curl of his lips. But he was right. Sofia needed to work on it. He was going to pay for that little comment. And since this dating idea was his, she knew exactly who to call on to run through her lines.
Smiling at him, she leaned over closer to him and said, “I’m saving it for the stage.”
He said softly, “Practice makes perfect.”
Sofia whispered, “Be careful. You don’t even know what part I have yet.”
His eyes widened. “Damn. I was hoping it was a lover.”
Giggling, she replied, “Not even close. You might want to date someone more…suitable.”
He covered her hand and said, “I date who I want.”
There was no hint he was joking. But this wasn’t really a date. Was it? No. He’s just being nice and helping me out. She was going to tell herself that until she believed it.