"You might be happy about my news, then.
I can come out and see you in about two weeks - the week after this upcoming one - if that works for you.
I don't want to put you out."
"Oh my God, Dad.
You could never put me out.
I'd love to see you!" "It'll be a short trip.
I'd come in on the red-eye Thursday night and fly out again Sunday evening."
"I'm stoked! Yay! I'll make plans.
We'll have a blast."
My dad's soft chuckle sent warmth flowing through me.
"I'm coming to see you, not New York.
Don't go crazy with any sightseeing or anything."
"Don't worry.
I'll make sure we have lots of downtime.
And you'll get to meet Gideon."
Just the thought of the two of them together made my tummy flutter.
"Gideon Cross? You said nothing was going on there."
"Yeah."
I wrinkled my nose.
"We'd hit a rough spot at the time.
I thought we were over."
There was a pause.
"Is it serious?" I paused, too, shifting restlessly.
My dad was a trained observer; he'd see right away that Gideon and I had tension between us - sexual and otherwise.
"Yes.
It's not always easy.
It's a lot of work - I'm a lot of work - but we're both making the effort."
"Does he appreciate you, Eva?" My dad's voice was gruff and far too serious.
"I don't care how much money he has; you don't have anything to prove to him."
"It's not like that!" I stared at my wriggling pedicured toes and realized the meeting would be more complicated than just a protective father being introduced to his daughter's new boyfriend.