Kelli had been working at the fashion company for three years, and as far as Ian was concerned, she’d more than proven herself. Over the past three years, he’d seen her exhausted, half-asleep, and in the throes of one cold after the other, and she was never without her laptop or phone.
Her entire life revolved around that company, and he worried about whether or not she was living up to her potential.
Or if they were just taking advantage of his daughter, who was young, eager, and idealistic, still believing that hard work and dedication were going to get her to where she wanted to go. While the last thing he wanted was to trample all over his daughter’s hopes and dreams, he still wanted her to be smart about the plan she had for her life.
When he took out the spare tire, Kelli was by his side, helping him roll it out the front. She handed him the wrench and watched as he undid the screws that held the old tire in place.
“How’s it going with that new boss of yours? She still a slave driver?”
Kelli rolled her eyes. “Dad, you can’t say stuff like that. It’s offensive.”
Using the jack, Ian lifted the car up off the ground. Then he removed the flat tire and rolled it to the car’s trunk. There, he paused to lift it up and set it down in the center. When Ian came back around, Kelli was on the phone, her eyebrows knittedtogether. Absentmindedly, she helped him install the spare tire, never once looking up from her phone.
“Not as understanding as you hoped they were, huh? It looks like this spare won't get very far. It has a slow leak. Kel, when was the last time you took your car in to be checked, and when was the last time you did an oil change?”
Kelli shrugged. “I don’t know. When was the last time you checked on the car?”
“Months ago.” Ian wiped his hands on the back of his jeans and gripped the jack with both hands. He rotated it counterclockwise till the car was back down on the ground. “You really need to keep better track of these things.”
Kelli waved his comment away. “It’s fine, Dad. It’s not a big deal. Dana is on the way to pick me up right now.”
“I called the tow truck when I pulled over. If you want to wait for me to make sure the car’s been dropped off, I can take you to work.”
Kelli snorted and glanced up at him. “And watch you judge everyone who goes in and out of the building?”
“What if I promise only to judge them in my head?”
Kelli choked back a laugh and looked over his shoulder. “It’s okay. There’s Dana now.”
Dana’s blue hatchback pulled over to the side of the road, and she got out with her shirt on backward, in a pair of sweatpants with questionable stains. “I came as soon as you called.”
Kelli grimaced. “I can see that. Did you happen to look in the mirror before you left the house?”
Dana held the key over her head, and the car beeped shut. “No, why would I? I’m not headed to an event or anything.”
“You’re dropping me off at work at a fashion company.”
Dana glanced down at her clothes and back up at her sister. “I won’t get out of the car.”
Ian chuckled. “Still think my offer isn’t good?”
Kelli shot her dad an exasperated look. “Not helping, Dad.”
Dana offered him a quick hug before drawing back. “You look good, Dad. Aunt Lily really got inside your head with the running thing, huh?”
“Your aunt Lily can be very persuasive. How’s that case going—with the little boy who had Down syndrome? Any luck finding him a home yet?”
“Getting close.” Dana brought her head to rest against his shoulder and sighed. “I hope this home works out.”
Ian draped his arms around each of them and squeezed. “I’m proud of you, girls. Now, why don’t you ladies go, and I’ll wait for the tow truck?”
After some protests, he ushered them into Dana’s car, and they drove off.
Later that day, he was getting ready for dinner with Lucy when the mechanic called. He spent the ride to the restaurant debating prices until they parked outside. As soon as he stepped in through the double doors, he hung up and shoved the phone into his pocket. Lucy started sipping on her water as soon as they sat down.
“Dr. Singh was right. It’s nice that we’re getting to go out, just the two of us. We don’t get to do that often.”
Lucy nodded and gestured to the uniformed waiter. “Uh-huh.”
