Gideon almost always had coffee waiting for me on days when he'd spent the night, because he got up before me.
I missed that little ritual of ours.
Somehow, I'd have to learn to live without it.
Pushing up onto my tiptoes, I kissed my dad's cheek.
"I'm so glad you're here, Daddy."
I closed my eyes and clung tightly when he hugged me.
* * *
I stepped out of the small market with my bags of grocery ingredients for dinner and frowned at finding Angus idling at the curb.
I'd refused a ride in the morning and again when I'd left the Crossfire, and he was still following and shadowing.
It was ridiculous.
I couldn't help but wonder if Gideon didn't want me as a girlfriend anymore, but his neurotic lust for my body meant that he didn't want anyone else to have me - namely Brett.
As I walked home, I entertained thoughts of having Brett over for dinner instead, imagining Angus having to make that call to Gideon when Brett came strolling up to my place.
It was just a quick vengeful fantasy, since I wouldn't lead Brett on that way and he was in Florida anyway, but it did the trick.
My step lightened and when I entered my apartment, I was in my first really good mood in days.I dumped all the dinner stuff off in the kitchen, then went to find my dad.
He was hanging out in Cary's room playing a video game.
Cary worked a nunchuk one-handed, since his other hand was in a cast.
"Woo!" my dad shouted.
"Spanked."
"You should be ashamed of yourself," Cary shot back, "taking advantage of an invalid."
"I'm crying a river here."
Cary looked at me in the doorway and winked.
I loved him so much in that moment I couldn't stop myself from crossing over to him and pressing a kiss to his bruised forehead.
"Thank you," I whispered.
"Thank me with dinner.
I'm starving."
I straightened.
"I got the goods to make enchiladas."
My dad looked at me, smiling, knowing I'd need his help.
"Yeah?" "When you're ready," I told him.
"I'm going to grab a shower."