He frowned.
“I’m sorry, Tony, but no.” Joy shrugged.
“I understand.”
“My life is moving forward, and you’re part of my past. So in the future, the only place for you in my life is as Jaime’s father. You’ll always be that, but nothing else.”
Tony pressed his lips together so hard, they disappeared. “I get it.”
Joy exhaled. “I don’t mean to be cruel. But I need to be honest to you and to myself.”
“And I appreciate that.” Tony gave her a wry chuckle. “And you’re not being cruel. Blunt? Yes. Cruel? No.”
She chuckled slightly.
“What I did was cruel. Cruel to you and Jaime, there’s no doubt about that.”
“Tony . . .”
He gently spun her around. “I knew what I had, and I blew it. And why?” He pulled her close to himself again. “I still don’t know why I did what I did.”
“Yes, you do.” Joy sighed.
“I do?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “Fear of growing old.”
Tony listened.
“I’m convinced most men cheat on their wives with younger women out of fear of growing old. I guess if you’re always with a younger woman, then you’ll feel young, you know?”
Tony remained quiet as though contemplating all he’d heard.
The song ended, so Joy stepped away from him and clapped for the band.
Staring at her for a moment, Tony hesitated and then laughed slightly. “You’re right.”
Joy held out her hands in agreement. “It’s just my theory.”
“It is about my fear of growing older.” Tony shoved his hands into his pockets and sulked.
A posture like that would have melted her heart and made her feel sorry for him back in the day.
But those days were gone.
“I’m heading to Florida this fall.”
“That’s great. Good luck, Tony.” Joy patted him on the arm. “I wish you nothing but the best.” She spoke truthfully. She did wish him the best. But now her life was about Jaime and new adventures.
“Mom!” Jaime rushed over to her. “Let’s get a photo of us.”
As Jaime pulled her away from Tony, Joy shrugged to him. “Sorry.”
“What were you and Dad talking about?” Jaime whispered as they walked.
“Oh, nothing. I thanked him for paying for my hotel in Venice. That’s it.”
Jaime raised an eyebrow. “Was that really everything you two discussed?”
“No.”
Jaime huffed. “Thought so. He tried to talk you into giving him another chance, didn’t he?”
“Actually…” Joy faced her. “We talked about how incredibly happy we are for you and Michael. Okay?” She reached up and moved a few strands of hair away from Jaime’s eyes.
“Okay.” Jaime pursed her lips.
Joy suspected Jaime wasn’t buying it.
Posing with Jaime and Michael was a dream come true. Joy stood between them in several photos, grinning widely. Her heart glowed within her.
Afterwards, she made her way back to the table, floating on air. She plopped down into her chair next to Millie and Edith with a heavy sigh.
“Aren’t they just amazing?”
“Yes, they are.” Millie hugged Joy’s shoulder.
“Your dance with Tony lasted longer than I thought it would . . .” Edith cleared her throat.
