Adam’s expression was completely blank. “Should I know what that is?”
She laughed. “Probably not. It’s a spa just north of San Diego. Very exclusive, very nice.” She sighed. “It cost me three handbags.”
He sat up and winced. “Not Birkin-priced bags?”
“No. Just regular designer ones. A week is about ten grand.”
“I’ll never understand women.”
“But, Adam, they have men’s weeks, so you could go with one of your buddies.”
“That’s never happening.” He kissed her. “I’d go with you, though.”
“Really? I wouldn’t have thought you were a spa kind of guy.”
“I’ve never been, but I’m open to the experience.” He stroked her arm. “You’re doing a really nice thing for your mom.”
“She’s in a bad place and selfishly, I can’t wait to have the house to myself for a week. Plus, I feel sorry for her. She’s always defined herself by the man she’s with, which means she has no control over anything that’s happening to her. That’s a hard way to live.”
He watched her without speaking, as if he didn’t want to say anything. She shifted so she was angled toward him, her legs stretched across his lap.
“I know,” she told him. “I used to be like that.”
“This is me, not talking.”
She smiled. “Yet I can hear every word you’re thinking.” Her smile faded. “My marriages were about being with a guy and what that would do for me. I wasn’t in the relationship for the right reason. I don’t want to do that anymore. I don’t want to be defined by a man. I want to take care of myself. I want to be strong.”
“You’ve always been strong.”
“You’re sweet for saying that but I’ve always been a taker. I take what I want and walk away. Worse, I sabotage myself right before things get really good, but I’m working on changing. I want to get to the place where I’m proud of myself.”
He rubbed her legs. “You’re impressive as hell.”
“Not yet, but I’m working on it.”
twenty-one
Daisy arrived home from work to find her father reading in the family room—both dogs at his feet, and Nala and Simba stretched out on the back of the sofa, behind him.
“You draw a crowd,” Daisy said as she walked over to hug him. “Probably because you’re so nice to come home to.”
“I try to be a considerate guest,” he said with a smile. “As for the pets, I’ve always liked them and I think they know that. How was your day?”
“Busy. Long.”
He raised his eyebrows. “No details?”
“I’m afraid any medical talk will give you ideas.”
He put down his book and rose. “Daisy, I’m done trying to talk you into going to medical school.”
“Really? Because you had Uncle Ray make a run at it just last month.”
“That was the last time. You’re obviously happy in your work and I need to accept that.”
“Uh-huh. Why don’t I believe you?”
“People change. And speaking of that, go get out of your scrubs. I’ll meet you back here where I’ll make you a heck of a martini and we’ll talk about our days.”
There was something in his tone, she thought. “What happened?”
He waved toward the stairs. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
She checked in on the kids before heading to her bedroom. It only took a few minutes to change into jeans and a lightweight sweater.
“What’s up?” she asked as she watched her father add ice to the martini shaker.
“You’re assuming the worst.”
“You’re avoiding the question.”
He handed her a martini, then motioned to the sofas. When they were seated across from each other, he raised his glass.
“Cheers.”
“Dad!”
“Fine.” He took a sip. “I had lunch with Jordan today.”
She hadn’t been expecting that. “Well, he is your son-in-law, so it’s not totally crazy.” She wasn’t sure what else to say. Should she ask how he was or what they’d talked about?
Her father smiled at her. “He misses you.”
Then he should get his ass back to the house. But she only thought that, rather than speaking it. “That’s nice to hear.”
“He wasn’t very forthcoming about your problems, which I respect. A marriage is a private thing. But I let him know I was worried about you and him and that he could always talk to me.” He smiled. “Not that I’m going to take his side. You’re my daughter.”
“I appreciate the support. So basically he said nothing?” She tried to keep the tension out of her voice.
“He complained you’re doing too much and he comes in second all the time. I