into my bedroom once again. Nelle handed me the shoes. I slipped them on and held out my arms before doing a slow turn. She gave me a thumbs-up. “Perfect. He is going to be blown away.”
“Is it too much?” I asked, smoothing the dress over my stomach. “I think it might be too tight for a dinner with dad.”
“It’s not too tight. I see women wear those to the office all the time. It looks good. I love that dress.”
“Thank you. I’m so fucking nervous.”
“I know you are,” she said, looking me directly in the eye. “Nervous is okay. Try and relax. Get through the introduction and then let the chips fall where they may. If your dad doesn’t like him, it doesn’t mean anything. You have already said your dad likes very few people. It doesn’t mean Xander is a bad guy. You have to find out whether you like him. Don’t worry about daddy just yet.”
“I hope he does like him. I do value my dad’s opinion.”
“I know you do, and that is perfectly understandable, but don’t let his opinion ruin something good.”
I sat down at my vanity and started to do my makeup. “He can’t ruin something that isn’t there.”
“Keep lying to yourself,” she teased. “I do have to get going. Good luck. Call me tomorrow and let me know how it went. Remember to breathe. Use those skills you have worked so hard to develop to smooth out any problems.”
I smiled. “You are right. It will be fine.”
She patted the top of my head and left. I looked in the mirror and hoped I was right. I wanted them to get along.
I didn’t want to be late. That would make my dad crazy. I fluffed my hair and then headed out. I got to the restaurant a full fifteen minutes early. My father was already seated, his glasses sitting on the end of his nose as he scanned the menu.
“Here you go, miss,” the nice waiter said as he pulled out my chair. “Can I get you a drink while you browse the menu?”
“Just a diet soda for me,” I answered. “We’ll need a third seat.”
My father lowered the menu. “Excuse me?”
I smiled up at the waiter. “Please?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He rushed away and returned a minute later with an additional chair and silverware wrapped in a napkin. “Can we have a clean set for our mystery guest?” my father snapped. “Maybe a fork that hasn’t been rubbed against the leg of a chair.”
“Dad,” I scolded.
“I’m sorry, sir,” the waiter said, looking mortified. “I’ll be right back.”
He rushed away, giving me a chance to scowl at my father. “Dad, don’t be like that.”
He didn’t get to answer. The waiter returned, putting the new silverware at the place setting before scurrying away. “Who did you invite? Nelle?”
“No, it’s actually someone else. A friend. I would like you to meet him.”
“Him?” he asked, taking off his glasses and resting them on the table. “A boyfriend?”
“No,” I told him. “Not a boyfriend. Just a friend.”
He looked at me with those eyes that saw too much. “A friend? Since when do you have men that are friends?”
“I have plenty of guy friends.”
“None that I’ve ever met,” he said, obviously not happy.
“This guy is different. I think you might actually like him. You have some things in common.”
He offered a small smile. “Is this friend a serious friend?”
I giggled. “Dad, I swear he is just a friend.”
“I don’t think you dressed up for me,” he said with a small smile.
“Of course, I did.”
I heard my phone vibrate in my purse. I quickly pulled it out. “He’s going to be here in a few minutes,” I said. “I’m going to go out and meet him.”
“I guess I’ll be waiting here,” he said with a silly smile. “This should prove to be an interesting evening.”
“Promise me you will be nice,” I said.
“I’m always nice.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Dad, you are rarely nice.”
“I am a man with standards. I don’t have a high tolerance for stupidity, disrespect, or arrogance.”
I slowly nodded. “I know, Dad. I know. I’ll be right back.”
I got up and walked out of the dining room to wait for Xander. I was having second thoughts about bringing Xander to meet my father. Serious second thoughts. I sometimes forgot how abrasive he could be. He was very abrasive.
I prayed everything went well. It just had to.
Chapter 23
Xander
I pulled my car up to the valet and got out, handing him the keys. Evie was