Page 149 of Runaway Bride and Prejudice

Dad looks at the assistant coaches. Ken waves him on, telling him he’s got this. Malik gives me a thumbs up, clearly wishing me luck.

I’m going to need it. Luck or bravery.

I definitely need both.

I’d rather talk somewhere more neutral than Dad’s office, but there aren’t many neutral spaces in the building, so I guess his office is as good as anywhere. Van urges me inside ahead of him, a hand on my lower back. He drops it when he sees my father trying to burn a hole through his bones with a look.

I close the door, but don’t take a seat like my dad or Van.

Hands on hips, I remain standing in what Morgan would call a power pose. I channel the fierce directness she always uses when facing hard things head-on. I’m no Morgan, but I do feel more powerful.

Maybe it’s just knowing, possibly for the first time in my life with absolute certainty, what I want.

Stepping closer to Van, I drop a hand to his shoulder, feeling the muscles bunch under my fingertips. I don’t miss the way my dad’s focus lasers in on that point of contact. Van shifts a little in his seat and places his hand on top of mine. Dad’s eyes are practically slits, paper-cut thin.

“You always tried to keep me away from hockey players,” I start, not sure if this is even the best place to begin. But it will do. “And I understand why. To a point. But you’ve invested your life into these guys on the team. I’ve spent time with them—they’re good guys, dad.”

“Some of them are,” he says in a tone that makes it clear he’s not sure Van is one of them.

But if I’m not imagining it, his gaze softens. Slightly.

“Did you know Van and I met about a year ago?” I ask. “Neither knew who the other was, but when he figured out I was your daughter, he panicked and sort of disappeared.”

“I was afraid you’d kill me, sir.”

“You were right to be afraid,” Dad says.

“Knock it off.” My tone is so hard that Dad blinks in surprise. “While I appreciate how protective you are and how you’ve taken care of me since Mom died, this is too far.”

“Or not far enough.”

I know Dad has been through a lot. While Drew’s actions mostly were hard for me, they were a challenge for Dad in a different way. I can’t imagine the stress, and I do know the cost—which hopefully he’ll be able to recoup from Drew. But the rift between Dad and Uncle Bobby, plus everything with Becky—it’s a lot.

Then … finding out about this the way he did, on top of everything else.

I tell myself to have some compassion, even though what I’d like to do is put him into a time out since he’s acting like an overgrown toddler.

“Dad, you trusted Van enough to send him with me to Florida,” I point out.

“I was desperate,” he says. “I didn’t want you to be alone. Not after everything. Van was already with you, and I knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to you.” Dad’s frown becomes a glower. “I also assumed he’d know not to get involved with you.”

Van clears his throat. “You did make that very clear, sir.”

“But it’s not your choice to make,” I say.

“And I was already getting on the plane before you called. Sir,” Van adds.

“You can’t actually think that this”—Dad points between us— “is real. This … marriage.” His lip curls when he says it.

So does mine, but for a different reason. Van squeezes my hand, and I meet his gaze. We may not have spent many cumulative hours together, but I can read his expression right now.

And shockingly, I get the sense he wants me to go easy on my dad.

Almost as shocking—I feel myself soften.

Drawing in a breath, I look back at my dad. “Is it just how quickly this happened? Or is this about who I’m with?”

He blinks like he’s surprised I’m asking for clarification at all. “Both. You can’t possibly take marriage seriously when it happens on a whim.”

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