Dad gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Before you go, I should tell you that I’ve been seeing Joyce a lot lately.”
I blinked up at him. “You’re seeing Joyce? As in Jordan’s aunt? As in DATING?” I knew my mouth was hanging open.
He grinned down at me, looking handsome and nearly twenty years younger. “She’s one hell of a woman. I feel thirty years younger when I spend time with her.”
“When did this start?”
“I called her after the brunch we all had together and asked her to dinner.”
At the expression on his face, I lifted a hand. “I don’t think I can handle hearing more right now.”
He grinned at me. I hadn’t seen him smile like that in a very long time. Maybe since before my mother died.
“One in a million, huh?” I asked.
“One in a million.”
“God, this is going to get so weird,” I muttered.
Dad chuckled. “It’ll be fine. I thought you said stepbrothers was a big thing in romance novels right now anyway.”
“Oh, Jesus, Dad, you can’t say things like that to me!”
He laughed and I found myself smiling despite the anxiety I felt about facing Jordan again.
“Love you, Dad,” I said, hugging him tightly. “Thanks for taking care of me and telling me what I needed to hear.”
“Anytime, sweetheart. Now, go talk to Jordan and put the poor man out of his misery.”
I waved to him as I pulled out of the driveway and headed home, my nerves jangling. I hoped Dad was right when he said that Jordan would forgive me. He didn’t deserve everything I said last night.
I also hoped he understood when I tried to explain it, because God knew I didn’t.
As I pulled into my driveway, my anxiety level spiked when I saw his car sitting in my driveway. I was relieved that he was there, but it also meant I didn’t have time to collect myself and prepare for the conversation.
I parked and climbed out of my car, walking slowly toward the front door. Before I unlocked it, I took a deep breath and rolled my shoulders, hoping to relax the tightness in my muscles.
Then I opened the door and stepped inside, ready to face the music.
