The Doctor Who Has No Chance - Victoria Quinn Page 0,93

you? Another bar fight, Dad? I think you need help—”

“It was your sister.” He shut his laptop. “I’m fine.”

I fell into the chair next to him and across from Mom. “Damn…what did you do to piss her off?”

Dad gave a slight smirk. “I’m teaching her how to fight.”

“How to fight…or just kick your ass?”

He poured me a glass of wine and slid it toward me. “It was an accident.”

“Did that hurt?” I squinted as I looked at his eye. “Because that shit looks painful.”

Mom smirked in amusement.

“No,” Dad said. “But I’m glad she knows how to do some damage.”

“Damn…note to self.” I shook my head. “Don’t piss off Daisy.”

Dad took a drink. “What’s new with you?”

“I got a dog.”

Mom nearly did a double take. “You did? Aww…what kind?”

Dad had a much harder time comprehending the news. “A dog?”

“Yes, like a canine,” I said. “Four-legged beast.”

Dad still looked bewildered. “You got a dog… Why?”

“Because they’re cute,” I said. “Why else? Just because you wouldn’t let us get one growing up doesn’t mean it’s that weird.”

“You don’t have a yard,” Dad said. “Dogs aren’t meant for apartments. Maybe a cat, but not a dog—”

“Honey.” Mom rubbed his arm. “It’s fine. Lots of residents have dogs here.”

Dad still couldn’t grasp it, because he was so clinical about everything and had no experience with animals. They served no purpose, so he didn’t understand why anyone would want one.

That’s exactly why I wanted Ryan to have a dog—so he wouldn’t end up like my dad. “Anyway…that’s not my biggest news.” I pulled the little box out of my pocket and set it on the table.

They both looked at it, understood exactly what it was, and looked at me again.

Mom grinned so wide, looked so happy, like any stress she had at all evaporated at that moment.

Dad stared a little longer before he shifted his gaze to me, a slight smile coming on to his lips. Then he gave me a subtle nod of approval, giving me his blessing.

Neither one of them questioned if it was too soon. Neither one of them tried to talk me out of it. They just got it, because they understood better than anyone that when something was right, it was right.

“I’m so happy.” Mom turned her eyes to Dad and rested her hand on his arm.

He held her look before he moved to grab her hand, the two of them looking at each other like they’d just accomplished something wonderful. Tension left their shoulders, and they both looked at peace. He stroked her hand with his thumb. “Two down…one to go.”

Twenty-Nine

Sicily

“What part of grab your shit did you not understand?” He looked at the bag over my shoulder, disappointed that was all I took from my apartment.

Riley walked up to me, sniffing me and waging her tail.

I gave her some attention before I set my bag on the couch. “Did you expect me to walk through the door with everything I own?” I asked incredulously.

He stood with his hands on his hips and gave a slight nod. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“Well, I’m not that strong,” I said with a chuckle.

He walked up to me and gave my ass a hard smack. “I know this is ass is strong as hell.” He leaned down and gave me a kiss before he grabbed the bag and carried it into his bedroom. He tested the weight, seeing how light it was. “It doesn’t seem like you packed much.”

I sat on the couch, and Riley immediately jumped up with me, wagging her tail as she gave a couple whines for attention. I rubbed her behind the ears and down her back. “I didn’t think you were serious.” I didn’t think he literally wanted me to give notice to my landlord and take whatever I could carry.

Dex came back and stared me down. “I’m a heart surgeon. When I give orders, I’m serious.” He dropped down onto the couch beside me.

“Well, I’m not exactly the type to take orders, so…”

“Really? Because it looks like you do a pretty good job to me.”

I narrowed my eyes as I continued to pet Riley.

Dex’s eyes shifted back and forth between Riley and me. “I like having a dog, but she’s a bit of a cockblock. Or a clitblock. Whatever.”

I smiled as I pulled her close, giving her a hug and situating her onto my lap. “You’ll just have to wait your turn.”

He sighed as he sat there, watching the two of us cuddle on the couch, Riley giving