no smoothing that train wreck out. Turns out, they know each other. Knew each other.”
“Really? How? I can’t imagine your dad hanging out with anyone younger.”
“Xander was in my dad’s class. You should have seen and heard my father. I have never seen him behave so badly. It was ugly. Horrible. I was so embarrassed and pissed at the same time.”
She winced. “That bad?”
“Worse than bad. My dad has forbidden me from seeing Xander. In fact, he said if I have anything to do with him, I can count him out of my life.”
That seemed to surprise her. I was glad it wasn’t just me that was a little floored by my father’s ridiculous reaction to Xander. “Seriously? What did Xander do? Was he one of those pranksters that superglued the chair or something?”
“No, much worse,” I groaned.
She shook her head. “What? What did he do?”
“He was too smart.”
She blinked. “What?”
I nodded. “Yep. Xander was too smart. Too innovative. Too arrogant. Too everything, and my dad didn’t like him. Xander came up with his ship designs when he was in school. He presented them to my dad and my dad shot him down. Xander used the idea for his final grade in the class and my dad failed him. Fortunately, Xander had a solid A and the failing grade didn’t prevent him from passing.”
“Wow. And they still have beef?”
“Apparently. It was not a pleasant scene. Xander ended up storming out of the restaurant before we ever got around to ordering appetizers.”
“Holy shit,” she breathed. “I never saw that coming.”
“Neither did I.”
She waved a hand. “Then what happened?”
“My dad and I had some words and then I went after Xander. I found him at his place, we had dinner, I stayed the night, and yada, yada, yada.”
“This was after your father forbade you from seeing him?”
I slowly nodded before taking a drink from the wineglass. “Yep.”
“Holy shit. Have you talked to your father since then?”
“Nope.”
She let out a low whistle. “Well shit. Twenty-eight years it took you, but you finally rebelled against your father.”
“Yeah. I’m still in a bit of shock myself.”
“How are you doing with it?” she asked, her tone gentle.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I’m a little pissed at my dad. He can’t forbid me from seeing anyone. To give me an ultimatum like that was pretty fucked up. I’m a grown woman. I have never, ever, ever made any crazy decision. I have never done anything bad. I always put him first. I always think before I act. He’s treating me like I’m a twelve-year-old who sat next to the girl who wore eyeliner.”
“Do you think there might be more to the story?” she questioned.
“I don’t know. I have thought of that, and it would explain the extreme reaction on both sides, but neither one of them is saying anything.”
“Sounds suspicious. But anyway, how did you get to the sleepover part?”
I grinned. “It just kind of happened.”
“Does this mean this is a thing? Like you guys are going to be having regular sleepovers?”
“I don’t know. We didn’t discuss it.”
“You like him,” she sang the words. “Evie has a crush.”
“Yeah, yeah. The real reason I stopped by was to ask if you can get someone to cover your shift here on Saturday night. I have an event and they want to have a bar. It’s all very last minute. I was hoping you could step in.”
She gave me that look. “Um, duh. Hell, yeah. Is it a swanky gig? I love the rich folks. The men always tip very well and the women tip even better to try and keep me from flirting with their men.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s pretty swanky. It’s for a doctors’ group.”
Her eyes lit up. “No way! Man candy! Hell yeah, I’ll work it.”
I laughed. “You know there are just as many women doctors nowadays.”
“Yes, but that’s okay. There are still plenty of male docs to choose from.”
I wasn’t really paying attention to her or thinking about the upcoming gathering. I couldn’t stop thinking about Xander. We had such amazing chemistry. I couldn’t believe my father wanted me to give all of that up. How could I possible walk away from him without a second glance? I didn’t think I could.
“Hello? Earth to Evie.”
I blinked and looked at Nelle, who was staring at me with one hand on her hip. “What?” I asked.
“You spaced out. I was talking to you about your doctors and you drifted away.”
“Sorry,” I murmured.
“Were you thinking about your man?” she