After a few minutes, Henry taps my shoulder. “Come on outside with me to finish the grilling? We’ll be eating soon.”
Well, this is a first. I’ve never, not once, had to deal with a girl’s dad. But I’ve seen enough movies, heard enough stories, to know what I’m in for.
And I hope like hell I don’t mess this up.
“I haven’t seen my daughter smile like that in a while,” he starts, opening the lid to a massive barbecue lined with some delicious-smelling steaks. “That idiot she was with before, her smile wasn’t nearly as big. Thanks for that.”
“No thanks needed. Sadie’s a wonderful woman.” I lean against a post at the edge of the covered deck area and look at her father. “Her ex didn’t deserve her.”
Henry looks at me, respect clear on his face. “No. He didn’t. The question I have to ask is, do you?”
It’s a fight not to shift on my feet. He’s not pulling any punches. But while whatever I have with Sadie might have started off unconventionally, and with zero feelings involved, I’m not shying away from the fact that things have changed.
“I like to think I do.”
“I’ve heard about you. About some of the things that land you in the media.”
Ah, shit.I knew this was a possibility. That he’d bring up my past actions. The fact that I’ve never bothered to explain myself to the media before could bite me in the ass now. What proofdo I have for her dad that I’m not the reckless asshole the press makes me out to be?
“But I also know better than to take what I see in the media at face value.”
Thank fuck.
“I appreciate that. There’s truth to some of it, but there’s also more to each story,” I say calmly, hoping my tone belies the tension I feel. I keep my gaze steady, not wavering from Henry as he studies me.
“It’s not my business what actions you’ve taken in the past, as long as they don’t negatively impact my daughter. But it will become my business should you choose to act in a way that puts her at risk now or in the future.”
“Understood.”
Henry nods. “Good. Now, let’s get these steaks off the grill and go eat.”
Pushing off the post, I follow him inside. Sadie makes her way over to me and wraps an arm around my waist. “Everything good out there? He didn’t give you a hard time, did he?”
I lean down and kiss her forehead. “Nothing I wasn’t expecting.” She still looks worried, so I rub my hand up and down her back. “It’s all good, Specs.” The lines on her face smooth out for the most part, just in time for her mom to bustle past with plates of food.
“Here, let me take some of that,” I say, reaching out to lift one of the dishes from her hands.
“Oh, thank you, Mav. We’ll set it all on the table and dig in.”
Soon we’re all seated around a wooden table that reminds me of one owned by a foster family I lived with. I can remember loud chaotic meals seated in these light wood chairs, fighting over who would get the last bread roll. There were good moments in my childhood, interspersed throughout a lot of bad. And being here with Sadie’s parents is bringing up those good memories again.
Doreen makes sure we’re all well-fed, and the conversation is surprisingly easy. Her parents don’t pester me with questions about baseball or my injury, and I find myself relaxing more and more as the evening goes on.
When it’s finally time for us to leave, I’m not surprised by Doreen’s hug this time. It’s longer and tighter than the first one she gave me.
“You two come back next weekend when Sienna’s in town, and I’ll make lasagna.” She pats my chest. “I make the best garlic bread you’ve ever had.”
“Thanks, Doreen.” I give her a genuine smile. Then a larger hand lands on my shoulder, not my injured one, thankfully, and I turn to face Henry. We shake hands again, and then Iamsurprised when he, too, pulls me in for a brief backslapping hug.
“Take care, Mav.”
“Will do.”
Goodbyes said, I take Sadie’s hand, and we walk to my car. I open her door, and once she’s in, I move around to my side and climb in.
The first part of the drive home is quiet; Sadie just looks out the window at the city going by. But at a stoplight, I sense her shift in her seat, and glance over to find her looking at me.
“Everything okay?” I ask, gripping the steering wheel.
