“Or hook up,” my dad said and winked.
I groaned. “We need to get you off reality shows. You’re becoming addicted. Your new vernacular is like nails on a chalkboard.”
He didn’t deny it. “Speaking of close proximity, how’s Elise?”
I reached for popcorn from the bowl my dad passed me. I might also have a tendency to eat popcorn and watch trashy television. “Elise is fine.”
My dad stared at the side of my face, but I refused to look up and make a bigger deal out of it. “And?”
“And nothing. She’s fine.”
He moved the bowl out of reach, and I frowned. “I like her, Jack.”
“You said that already.” I eyeballed the popcorn. Probably shouldn’t eat too much before dinner.
“No, Jack, Ireallylike her.”
I’d never introduced my father to the people I dated. So of course he would be excited to officially meet one.
“The women you go out with don’t care about you, and that breaks my heart,” he said, surprising me with his words.
Shit, was that a quiver in his voice? “I’ve never been interested in anything serious.” Maybe he’d get off the subject if he understood how little I was invested in relationships right now.
“But that’s the thing; there’s something different about Elise. The way you look at her is new. And don’t think I missed her pinching your butt.”
My arms are long, so I extended one beyond my average-height dad and stole a handful of popcorn. “She’s different because she’s a pain in the ass.” If only my dad knew what she was up to tonight.
He smiled. “Is she a pain? Tell me about it.”
I didn’t like the look in his eye. “No, I don’t think I will. You’ve got to get off these shows. You’re becoming addicted to drama.”
He frowned. “Fine, keep it to yourself for now. Just don’t hurt my Elise.”
I swiveled my head to him. “What the fuck, Dad?”
“Language, Jack.”
“My Elise? I’m your son!”
“You tend to throw out the good ones,” he continued, ignoring the slight he’d delivered with a deft hand to his one and only child. “Like that sweet girl you dated for a couple of months in high school. What was her name?”
“Katrina.”
“That’s right!”
My high school ex had married a pro football player. Last I heard, she had one kid. Katrina had been too nice, so I’d broken up with her. And okay, my dad had a point. “As I said, I’m not interested in anything serious. Stop pressuring me.”
He held up his hands. “No pressure. Just asking you to give Elise a chance. She’s the only person you’ve spent time with who didn’t look at you like a meal ticket. I’m proud of what you’ve accomplished, but it’s not good for your love life.”
The popcorn turned sour in my stomach. Elise and dating were the last things I wanted to discuss, but it reminded me I had something to do. “Hang on, Dad. I need to send a text.”
I pulled out my phone and followed up my last unanswered text message to Elise with another, this one more urgent. Maybe if I stressed the importance, she’d get back to me.
Jack: Abort mission! Do not go on your date tonight. Caught him making out with the neighbor across the street on my way out this afternoon.
I hit send and stared at my phone to see if she’d message back.
“Who’sHot Stuff?” my dad said, making me jump.
