“I’m sorry I missed your call this morning. How did your presentation go with Banyan Energy?”
“I think it went well. But we’ll see tomorrow night at the banquet when they announce who won the scholarship.”
I slowed and merged into the exit lane. “I have every faith in you that you’ll get that full ride, sweetie.”
She giggled. “Or else you’ll break someone’s knees.”
I laughed and sighed at the same time. “If you want me to.”
“Daaad.I’ll see you in a few.”
I grinned as the radio kicked in. The only good thing in my life was Fran. She was so vibrant and innocent, and I was desperate to keep her that way.
Before long, Oakwood Academy, nestled in the hills of Connecticut, came into view. The sixty-acre campus had been founded in the early 1900s and catered to students from around the world. The second Fran stepped foot on the property, she was in awe. I was too. The old-world architecture, the sports arena, the dorms—the entire campus was something out of a movie.
After I was cleared by a guard at the gate, I wound around the baseball field toward the female dorms, excitement stirringin my gut—a welcome emotion that seemingly stomped on my sour mood.
As I turned into the parking lot, I caught sight of a boy curling Fran’s hair around her ear. Blood rushed out of me. I’d never seen my daughter with a boy, and my first thought was to strangle him for even looking at her, let alone touching her.
I growled, parked in a spot behind a high-end Tesla, and sat still. From my position, I could see Fran laughing at something the boy said while I was breathing like a bull in a ring.
It’s just two teenagers talking.Fuck that. He was now holding her hand. Then he leaned in and whispered something in her ear.
She giggled, playfully swatting at the tall guy wearing a baseball jersey and ball cap.
I wasn’t ready for puppy love or boys and what came with all that. Certainly not now, considering I didn’t want to deal with another problem. Boys were a problem.
Then he lowered his head and kissed her.
I got out of my vehicle in a flash.
Don’t embarrass your daughter.
I strode through the lot, my face heated, my pulse staccato. “Fran,” I called as I crossed the street.
Her blond hair blew in the cold harsh wind as she looked my way. “Dad.” She lit up like the Fourth of July as she raised her finger to the boy, gesturing for him to wait. Then she ran to me and threw her arms around me.
I hugged her tightly, narrowing my gaze at the boy, who had stark blue eyes and strands of brown hair poking out from his ball cap.
He smiled, revealing perfect white teeth. The bastard grinned at me. I thought he would run. I was a giant compared to him. He stood about five feet ten and stared me down. I should give him props for having the balls not to flee.
Fran kissed me on the cheek. “Be nice.”
Niceness wasn’t in my emotional repertoire at the moment.
“Who’s the boy?” My acidic tone had always been reserved for my enemies, not my daughter.
She clucked her tongue. “Come. I want you to meet him.” She grabbed my hand and tugged. “He doesn’t bite, Dad.”
“I do.”
Her pretty green eyes, so like mine, became slits. “Dad, manners.”
The boy took off his hat as he held out his hand to me. “Sir, I’m Ryan Montgomery. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
I shook his hand. “Funny, I haven’t heard anything about you.”
My daughter swatted me. “Dad, we’ve only been dating for a month.”
