and I are going to have a talk while I change her tire. This shit has got to stop.
My phone buzzes again, and I reluctantly let Alaina go after a brief kiss. “Keep the bed warm for me.”
“I will.”
I grab my shirt from the back of the couch and slip it on, then toe on a pair of tennis shoes. As I walk to the door, I reply to Heidi’s message, letting her know I’m on my way.
In the doorway, I look back at Alaina and she gives me a wide grin and blows me a kiss.
Chapter Fifteen
ALAINA
Smiling as I look down at the last text message Enzo sent me, I open my apartment door to leave. I jerk to a stop right before I slam into my father’s chest, who has his hand raised, poised to knock.
“Dad? What are you doing here?” I ask, confusion putting a frown on my face.
“Do I really need an excuse to come see my daughter?” He smiles and the laugh lines around his eyes stand out more. “Can’t your old man simply stop by?”
“You know you’re always welcome, but you normally call first.”
“I was close by. Figured I’d stop in and see how you were doing.”
He steps through the doorway, and I close the door behind him. “I’ve been good. Had the stomach bug not long ago, but I’m better now.”
“Stomach bug, eh?” I follow behind him as he walks to the kitchen and plops down on a stool. “Laurie had it a few days ago.”
“It’s seems to be going around lately.” I toss my thumb over my shoulder toward the fridge. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“I’m good, Lana. I’m not planning to stay long. Just wanted to stop and see my girl.”
My heart warms. Dad and I have always had a pretty close relationship. When mom died, it was rough on us for a while. But we had each other to lean on, and we both took advantage. Going away to college was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I hated leaving him behind, but he threatened to kick my ass if I didn’t go. When he met Laurie and I saw the way she looked at my dad, some of the guilt for leaving lifted. I knew she would take care of him. I was ecstatic when they announced they were moving here.
The sudden need to feel his strong arms wrapped around me has me going to him. As if knowing what I want, he opens his arms, and I step into them. I breathe in his familiar scent and squeeze tight, my love for him growing when he reciprocates by tightening his hold on me.
“You okay?” he asks once we pull apart.
Giving him a smile and a nod, I throw his words back at him. “Can’t a girl give her dad a hug just because?”
He chuckles. “Anytime.” Leaning his elbow on the bar, he regards me. “How’s work been?”
“Good.”
“And how’s Juliet and Nikki? I still feel like dung for missing Juliet’s wedding.”
“They’re both good. And stop it. Juliet understands why you and Laurie couldn’t make it. It would have been ridiculous to waste all that money you spent on the cruise. Besides,” I wink, “I think the present you gave them more than made up for it.”
Dad and Laurie had made reservations for a fourteen-day cruise a year ago, before Juliet and James set their wedding date. They came back the day after the wedding. To make up for not being there, Dad went overboard with the gift he got them. A two-week stay in the Caribbean with all of the bells and whistles. Included was a matte black Amex card with no limit to ensure they didn’t have to spend a dime of their own money. And to tip it over the edge of ridiculousness, he paid another fortune to ensure the reservation was open-ended, so Juliet and James could choose the dates themselves.
“Just be thankful it wasn’t Nikki’s wedding you missed. That woman could bankrupt even the wealthiest of men.”
Dad laughs, his eyes shining. “She’ll be getting something just as elaborate when it’s her day.”
“Lord help your wallet,” I jest, but to be honest, Dad could afford to spend that type of money thousands of times over. I’ve always been frugal with money, even though I don’t need to be. If he or Laurie wants something, he gets it. One of the things about him I love is he may be ungodly rich, but