The neon glow of the diner sign buzzed softly against the early evening sky, casting a warm light over the chrome and vinyl interior. Bill adjusted his polo shirt, a comfortable navy blue, as he sat at a booth, swiping through his phone. The smell of fries and burgers wafted around him, but his stomach twisted with anxiety instead of hunger.

He looked up as Shari entered. She stepped in with confidence, her heels clicking against the tiled floor, and a playful bounce in her step. The halter top she wore hugged her form snugly, and the vibrant makeup emphasized her striking features. She flashed Bill a dazzling smile that sent mixed signals through his mind: admiration, confusion, and dread.

“Hey, Bill!” she chirped, sliding into the booth across from him. “Sorry I’m late. Traffic was a nightmare!”

He nodded, forcing a smile. “No problem. You look great.”

“Thanks! Just thought I’d dress to impress,” she replied, twirling a strand of hair.

Bill swallowed hard, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. He had known Shari in passing, and their interactions had been friendly at family gatherings, but the revelation about her and his father loomed over him like a thundercloud.

“Shari, can we talk about something?” he started, trying to keep his tone light but feeling the weight of seriousness press down on him.

“Sure! What’s up?” She sounded lively, blissfully unaware of the turmoil brewing within him.

“It’s about you and my dad…” He hesitated, taking a moment to collect his thoughts. “I mean, you’re moving in with him, right?”

She leaned forward, curiosity mingled with a hint of mischief in her eyes. “Yeah, we are! I thought you’d be happy for us!”

“Happy? Well… I’m not sure about that.” Bill clenched his jaw. “Shari, my dad is fifty-one years old. You’re just twenty-eight.”

“So? Love knows no age.” Her tone was unwavering, but he could see a flicker of something deeper behind her confidence.

“Love?” he exclaimed, his voice slightly rising. “You can’t be serious! He’s technically old enough to be your father. This isn’t just some cute May-December romance; this is my dad we’re talking about!”

With a sigh, Shari rolled her eyes. “Bill, come on. We have something special. Just because you don’t understand it doesn’t mean it isn’t real.”

“Special? At this age, does he really know what he wants? Or is he just trying to fill a void?” Bill shot back, growing frustrated. “He just got separated from my mother. This is reckless!”

“Reckless?” she scoffed, her tone sharp. “What you call reckless, I call living life. Your dad is a great guy who makes me happy. We laugh, we connect. Isn’t that what matters?”

He took a deep breath, trying to reclaim some composure. “But Shari, how can you not see the consequences? This is my family. I won’t just sit back and watch while you leap into something you might regret.”

“Regret? You don’t get to dictate my life, Bill.” Her eyes flashed with defiance. “I like your dad, and he likes me. I’m moving in with him, and you can’t stop that.”