Nick shook his head. He hadn't even noticed when she'd unlocked the door and come in.
His mind might have been on other things.
Yeah, *might*.
Nick turned and held out his arms for his daughter, looking forward to one of her rib-squeezing hugs.
"I didn't think you'd be back so soon."
She got within hugging distance and then she folded her arms across her chest, watching him carefully.
"What?" He gestured with his arms again. "No hug?"
She narrowed her eyes even more. "Did you have a good date?"
He nodded. "I think so."
Katie looked around the whole room which encompassed the living room, kitchen, and dining area.
When she finished, she met his gaze with her own.
"Did you scare her away?"
Nick dropped his chin to his chest. "I told her you'd want her to stay."
"I'm not sure I believe it." Katie dropped her bag on the floor and headed for the side door. "I'm going to ask her."
"Katie?"
She put her hand on the doorknob. "I just want to hear it from her. You can be pretty scary, dad. I want to make sure you didn't unintentionally scare her off."
"I didn't finish talking."
Katie didn't open the door, but she didn't take her hand off of the doorknob either.
"She's coming back for lunch."
Katie blinked at him.
"What?" He shrugged. "I'm telling you what she said."
"And breakfast? Did she have that here?"
That's where he drew the line.
"Katie...?"
"What?" She'd almost copied him spot on from just a few seconds before. Then she giggled. "You should see your face right now."
"You should probably not copy me like that."
"Like father like daughter, right?"
He rolled his eyes and pulled her into an embrace. "Smart aleck."
She snorted, the sound muffled by his shirt.
When she pulled back, she had more than a spark of humor in her eyes. "Did she like the shirt?"
