his eyes at my threat. “You wouldn’t.”
“I would. I love you with all my heart, but don’t for one second think I won’t throw you right under the bus. You know the rules. No working. I’m not going down because of you. If it’s between you or her, I choose her. She’s way scarier.”
I could have sworn I heard him mumble “traitor,” under his breath. Choosing to ignore it, I gave him my sweetest smile, the one that always got me out of trouble with him growing up. “I’ll see you tonight for dinner, Dad.”
He looked at me, then Richard, then me again before announcing… loudly, “I don’t like the looks of that guy, Lilah Bug. After that Brant jackass, you need to find a nice, stable boy—”
“Dad! Stop talking!” I yelled, slapping my hand over his mouth. “I’m not looking for any relationship, with a nice, stable boy or anyone else. And there’s nothing going on with Richard, so will you please just stop!?”
“Brant,” Richard spoke, drawing our attention. “You mean that douche that showed up at your apartment last night? The guy I ran off?”
I saw a calculating gleam in his eye as he shot me a quick smirk. What the crap was he up to?
“He showed up at your house?” Dad asked after pulling my hand from his mouth. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It was nothing—” I tried, but Richard interrupted.
“He came running back with his tail between his legs, begging her to take him back. Wouldn’t take no for an answer when Del told him to leave, so I did what I felt I had to do to get rid of him. I pretended that I was her boyfriend so the dipshit would get a clue.”
I was disappointed when the look I gave him didn’t melt the skin right off his too pretty face.
“Ha!” Dad barked out a loud laugh, then moved over to clap Richard on the back. “Good man. Tell me, son, how mad was he?”
Good man? Son? What freaking alternate universe had I just fallen into where my father was actually getting along with a man he thought wanted in my pants? The smile Richard game me was positively smug. The rat bastard. He was totally up to something, and I was helpless to do anything but watch.
“Not so mad, really, but I’m pretty sure if we’d stuck around any longer he would have burst into tears.”
My father’s head fell back in laughter. “Oh, I’d have paid good money to see that.” He smacked Richard’s back again. “You know, you might not be so bad after all. Lilah Bug,” he said, turning his attention back to me, “you should bring Richard to dinner tonight.”
What. The. Hell?
“Uh… I don’t… what I mean… that’s not such a good idea.”
Dad frowned. “Why not? You said you two are friends. And he’s obviously got your back when Jace and I aren’t there to look out for you.” Sweet Buddha, I felt like I was a little girl again. Telling my father that I didn’t need a man to look out for me would have been absolutely pointless. Dad was from the old school way of thinking, where men were the protectors, the providers for their family.
Richard patted Dad’s shoulder and spoke, “I’d love to, sir, but I’m afraid I’ve already got plans for the evening.” Was it just me or did my father actually look crestfallen. “My brother’s getting married in a few weeks, and I promised I’d go by his place so his fiancée could boss me around with last minute errands. Believe me, I’d much rather have a home-cooked meal, but what can you do, right? They’re family.”
Did he…? Son of a bitch, that asshole just winked at me!
“A man with a strong sense of family,” Dad spoke more to me than to Richard. “That’s commendable, son. Consider that an open invitation. My wife and I would love to have you over for dinner.”
“That’s very kind, sir. Thank you.”
“Please, call me Ken.”
“Well, Ken, if the invitation’s open, I’d love to join you and your family for dinner next Sunday. That is, if your wife wouldn’t mind.”
“Not at all. We’ll see you next Sunday then.” The men shook hands before Dad walked over to place a kiss on the top of my head. “Watch out for this one, in the meantime, will you?” he pointed at me. “Make sure she’s not working herself to the bone.”
“Oh, you have my word, Ken. I’ll keep my eye on