Free If You Only Knew (And Then Came Love Book 1) by Sara Preston Page A

quicker and easier route to go.”
    “How much do I owe you, Mac?” Everett smoothed his white hair.
    Mac handed him the invoice.
    “I can pay for it.” Julian shrugged. “She uses her car a lot at work. She needed something better on gas mileage and in good condition. I upgraded her.”
    Everett wrote out a check and handed it to Mac. “I hope for your sake the third time’s a charm.” He stood.
    “There’s not going to be a third marriage.”
    Everett smiled and patted his son on the shoulder. “You keep telling yourself that, son.”
    Julian looked down at the check for the full amount then hurried out of the office to catch up with his dad. “Thanks, you didn’t have to.”
    “Your mother caused the accident. It’s the least I can do. You had your brother inspect it, right?”
    “Of course, he left a few minutes ago,” Julian explained.
    “Good.” Everett nodded. “Now, do I get to meet your young lady?”
    “Come on.” Julian led his father out to the lot where Liza waited for him.
    “Are you ready to go?” She grinned.
    Julian waited as she noticed his father standing next to him.
    “Is it a safe guess to say you’re Julian’s father?”
    “Everett Vitalli.” He held out his hand.
    She shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, I’m Liza Thomas.”
    “My wife sends her apologies for the accident.”
    “I guess I’m trying to see the positive side. I got to meet your son, so it’s all good.” Liza’s cheeks reddened and she turned away.
    Normally, her expression would have him running for the hills. Drew was right, he was about to surpass his two date rule, with no chance of getting laid in the near future. Maybe there were feelings involved?
    “Did you have to sign paperwork for the insurance company?” She questioned his father.
    “Yeah – something like that.” His dad nodded. “What plans do you two have for the day?”
    “I have some errands to run and tonight I’m making Julian dinner. Your son has been so kind to me. I can tell he was raised to be a gentleman.”
    “Really?” Everett smirked and gestured to Julian with his thumb. “Are you sure you’re talking about him?”
    “Gee, thanks, Dad.” Julian rolled his eyes.
    “Well, I hope you two have fun. About time he found a good woman.”
    “We’re not dating.” Liza snickered.
    Everett raised his eyebrow at Julian. “There’s seriously something wrong with you.” He turned away from them shaking his head. “Let me know if there are any more papers I need to sign for this insurance thing, will you?”
    “Sure. I’ll be around sometime this weekend and we’ll discuss things.”
    “Whatever you say.” Everett walked away.
    “What was that about?” Liza glanced over at Julian. .
    Julian offered her his hand and helped her into her seat. “My dad’s strange at times. Don’t mind him.” He closed her door and then headed over to the passenger’s side. “Now come on let’s take this thing for a ride.”
    *****
    Liza drug the last grocery bag out of the car and handed it to Julian. She knew he was staring at her ass, but she ignored it. “Well, that’s all of them.”
    “You don’t have to cook for me.” They headed for her apartment building.
    “Too late. I have the sauce in the Crockpot already. It’s just a matter of finishing things up.”
    He put his arm around her on the elevator, but then dropped it at the last minute. “Let it cool down, put it away, and we’ll eat it another day. Let me take you out for a night on the town.”
    “I promised you dinner.” She faced him. “This is the only way I can pay you for everything you’ve done for me.”
    “But you don’t need to pay me, we’re—”
    “Yes?” She opened her apartment door.
    “Wow, your sauce smells incredible.” He inhaled deeply and followed the scent to the kitchen.
    “No – you’re not changing the subject on me.” Liza put her hands on her hips and stood there waiting. “We’re what, Julian?”
    “We’re