“Ha-ha.”
Austin chuckled and quickly covered his mouth when I gave him my full attention. “You were ballsy. You didn’t need my help, but I still wanted to be there. You were all piss and vinegar.”
“It’s a trait she picked up from us. It’s genetic, I’m afraid.”
“Thankfully, I didn’t pick up any genetic traits from my parents besides my looks.”
“Well, that’s a shame. They didn’t do you any favors,” I said, smirking at my funny, but just getting a straight face in return.
My father cleared his throat, drawing my attention. “Friends,” he muttered softly under his breath. “This is how this shit starts.”
“What can I get you?” the sweet little waitress asked as she walked over to our table, her eyes roaming the two men sitting with me. “Coffee, handsome?” She smiled at my dad, and I felt a little vomit rise in the back of my throat.
“Black, please.” Dad smiled.
“And you, baby?” she asked Austin.
“Same, ma’am.”
She blushed when he gazed up at her. I saw the change right before my eyes. “And you, darlin’?”
“Orange juice, please.”
“Do you want to order now?”
I shook my head. “We need a few minutes, sugar,” I said, throwing all the Southern flirtation back at her.
“Right on, sweet thing.” She smiled, tapping her pencil against the little pad she’d been holding in her hand. “I’ll be back in a jiffy with your drinks.”
“You heading back to California today?” Dad asked Austin.
“No, sir. I’m going to visit my family for the weekend and then head back. Training’s over, but I never miss a chance to see them when I can. It’s been a while since I’ve had leave, with everything that’s been going on in the world.”
Dad nodded like he knew exactly what Austin meant. They’d lived similar lives, although in different decades. Nothing much changed in the military, and if it did, it took forever to happen.
“Family is the most important thing of all,” Dad told him.
“Couldn’t agree more.”
“You only have a brother left?” Dad continued the interrogation, going over the details he’d been able to memorize from the short time he had Austin’s file.
“No, sir.” Austin rubbed the back of his neck, jostling in the seat. “I mean, I do, but I have more. My brother’s wife’s family is large, and they’re mine too. They made sure of that.”
“Family is more than blood,” Dad replied.
I squirmed in my seat, not sure how I felt about my dad and Austin being pals, shooting the shit like they’d known each other for a long time, minus the questioning. “So, Dad,” I said, pausing, waiting for their attention, or at least my father’s. “When are you heading home?”
“I’m heading over to Jacksonville for the day and then home tomorrow. I figured I was close enough to warrant a drop-in to see my only daughter.”
“Two coffees and an OJ,” the waitress said, interrupting all the awkwardness. “Ready to order?”
“Pancakes with bacon,” I said quickly, ready to eat and run because this was all too much.
I wasn’t in high school. Austin wasn’t my boyfriend, but that didn’t stop my father from questioning him like he was.
If Austin spoke to me again after breakfast, it would be a miracle. He’d probably tell me he changed his mind and would be heading to Tampa alone. I wouldn’t blame him either if he did.
A few hours later, Dad wrapped his arms around me as we stood in the parking lot. “You stay safe. Don’t get yourself into any trouble you can’t undo or I can’t fix.”
