She lied to me about Zeke.
But I have to bury that anger for tonight.
“We’re just going to take a walk,” I say, gesturing at her father.
Harper frowns and turns her attention toward her father. “Dad, it’s raining outside. You’re not taking Luca into the rain for a talk. You can sit down in here and get to know one another.”
I’m surprised that she’s so brazen with her father, but of course, he isn’t mafia. She doesn’t have to fear him.
“Of course,” Jack says and forces a smile, but his eyes don’t shine. “I didn’t realize it started to rain.”
I head for the couch and grab a seat next to Jack.
Dante scoots over, leaving me some space.
It’d be great if he got up, went to talk to Mom or even Catrina. But instead, he’s hanging out with us, probably eavesdropping, not that it takes much with him sitting beside us.
“My daughter called us this week to tell us about her new boyfriend,” Jack says. He reaches for his beer, the bottle nestled between his hands as he glances at it. “Can’t say I’m happy with all of her life choices.”
“You mean Zeke?”
Jack turns toward me. “I mean my fifteen-year-old daughter getting knocked up by her eighteen-year-old loser boyfriend in high school. Best thing he did for Harper was turn over his parental rights.”
“You don’t have to worry. Harper and I are adults; we know about safe sex.”
My father clears his throat behind me, like he’s trying not to choke. Maybe he should quit listening in and get up, go bother someone else.
But Dante doesn’t move from his position on the couch.
Jack holds up a hand to stop me from discussing anything further. “I don’t need to hear about you fucking my little girl. I need you to understand that she’s a mom, first and foremost. Zeke comes before any boyfriend, so if you think you’re in it for a good time, you’re going to be sorely disappointed.”
“I can assure you, Mr. McKenna, that I care deeply about your daughter. I’m grateful for the opportunity to get to meet you, your wife, and Zeke this evening.” I’m doing everything I can to remain calm and not screw this up with her parents.
I can’t see them giving us their blessing. Already he doesn’t particularly like me, and I haven’t even mentioned our engagement.
“It’ll take time for us to see what kind of man you really are,” Jack says. He glances past me at Dante.
“I mean no disrespect to you, Dante. I’m sure you raised a wonderful son,” Jack says, trying to be polite, “but understand that I have to look out for my daughter and my grandson.”
I don’t dare turn around to witness the expression on my father’s face. “I understand quite a lot about protecting family,” Dante says. The sofa dips, and I realize that he’s standing up. “Perhaps we should all take this conversation to the dining room; dinner will be served soon.”
I stand and hurry over to Harper; my hand falls to her lower back. She’s still holding Zeke in her arms, but he seems to be busy playing with a toy phone in his hands.
“We’re moving this party into the dining room,” I say. I would offer to help hold Zeke, but I doubt he’d let me, since I’m a stranger to the kid.
“Oh good. I could really use a sit,” Harper admits and then groans. “Not again.”
“What’s wrong?” I ask, noticing her frustration when she lifts Zeke and wetness is dripping down his legs and onto her clothes.
“I’ll find you something of mine to wear. Why don’t you get him cleaned up in the bathroom?” I offer.
“Can you grab the diaper bag? It’s over by the door,” Harper asks.
I grab the bag and lead her out of the family room and to the bathroom. I don’t want her wandering around and finding trouble. Although the fact that her parents were invited today means that it’s probably pretty calm around here.
“I’ll grab my bag from the car,” I say and hurry down the hallway after she’s situated. I slip on my shoes and run out into the rain, getting soaked while I retrieve my duffel.
I probably should have grabbed the umbrella, but I was trying to be quick. I ditch my shoes inside and leave a wet trail behind me as I slosh across the hall. Even my socks are soaked. I knock on the bathroom door. “It’s just me,” I say.
