Still dizzy from our kiss, I hardly notice Wire taking the phone from my hand. “Hello, Mr. Fontaine. This is Colton Reid, Remmi’s boyfriend.” Wire moves me to stand, then takes my place in the chair and guides me onto his lap, while still listening to my father on the other end. “I can understand your concern, but Remmi and I have entered this relationship with our eyes wide open. I’m normally a private man and keep my private life to myself, but I realize that your family has been through a trauma, and your concerns are coming from a place of love for your daughter. I’m going to give it to you straight, sir. I love Remmi. I’ll protect her until my dying breath, and when she’s with me, she’ll always be safe. Remmi understands my job and understands that this is what I do.” There’s a pause, and I can hear Dad talking, but can’t make out the words. “It might stir up some shit, but it doesn’t mean that Remmi can’t work through it. She’s stronger than you think. Even when she’s scared, we talk through it. You see, I need her as much as she needs me,” Wire responds, meeting my eyes. Although the words were said to appease my father, they were really meant for me.
I lean into his chest, resting my head on it. Wire kisses my temple and puts the phone on speaker. Dad’s voice is soft and gentle. “Baby girl, I want what you want. If this makes you happy, then your mother and I are happy too.”
“I’m happy, Dad. I love you both, and I want us to spend time together. I promise we’ll have dinner in a week or two when things are a little more settled. Okay?”
“Your old man misses you, and I’m going to make you keep that promise,” Dad says. “Love you, Remmi.”
“Back at ya, Daddy,” I say, holding back tears. It’s been a long time since everything felt this right in my life. “Bye, and give Mom a hug for me.”
Wire sets the phone down and holds me in his arms without saying a word. I turn my head to look up at his handsome face. “I should have asked you first, but are you okay with having dinner with my parents?”
“Babe,” he says with a grin, shaking his head in amusement.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Yeah, it’s cool. If I had a daughter as beautiful as you, I’m not sure I could ever let her out of my sight. Your father is a good man who went through a terrible ordeal and saw his daughter in a state that would gut any dad. It’ll be good if your parents come over more often and see that you’re doing well. It might be good for all of you.”
“I think you’re right.” I sigh. “I’ve been so busy trying to get back to normal”—I use air quotes—“and thinking about myself. Mom is going to be all over you, asking a million questions.”
“I think I can handle it.”
“And Dad?—”
“Your Dad and I are good, babe. He knows the kind of man I am. He wants you to feel loved and safe. I can do that. We’ll be cool.”
“My dad’s never been cool. He’s a genius and a geek, and I love him just as he is.”
“Then I’m a computer nerd. It’s my gig,” he says.
“Nope! You’re a sexy, hot, military guy with a geeky passion that makes you even hotter and sexier,” I declare, making Wire chuckle.
“And you’re my creative, boho chic, beautiful girlfriend with a heart of gold,” he says. I feel the heat creeping into my cheeks. “Every time I give you a compliment, you blush. It’s fucking cute.”
“Cute enough to make out with me?” I ask, finding my inner sex kitten and running my hand over his bulging arm muscles.
“I got about half an hour before the program I’m running is done, so that’s an affirmative on the making out,” Wire responds. He lowers his mouth, and just as his lips touch mine, his cell phone sounds off to the tune of “We Are Family,” by Sister Sledge. “Shit! I gotta get that.” He reaches into his back pocket to take out his phone. The screen flashes to a man who looks a lot like Wire, only older and with salt-and-pepper hair, who, given the amazing resemblance, must be his father.
I move to get off Wire’s lap, to give him space to speak with his dad. Wire holds me tighter, keeping me put, while picking up the call.
“Hey, Dad.”
“It’s been a while, kid.” His father’s voice is deep and strong, and on the screen, I can see his eyes are the same steely gray as his son’s. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“Actually, it’s a good time. This is Remmi,” Wire says, moving the phone to frame us both on the screen. “Remmi’s my girl.”
His father’s smile widens.
“Hi, sir.” I give a little wave.
“Hello, Remmi. This is a nice surprise,” his father says.
“I haven’t had a chance to call you. We’re new, but we’re solid,” Wire tells him.
“I’m happy for you, Colt. Your mother is going to have a fit that she’s been kept in the dark.” His father laughs.
“Don’t I know it, but stuff’s been going on. I’m in the middle of a mission. Not that that’s going to work as an excuse for Mom.”
“How did you two meet?” his father asks.
