Page 3 of Nova

Her boyfriend of almost a year. I hate boys. Loath them. I know what they are thinking, and I know he's thinking about those things with my beautiful daughter. If I could have it my way, she wouldn't have a boyfriend or start dating until she is at least thirty. "If I say yes to this little adventure, you have to promise that you will keep in touch with me. Every hour on the hour. No texting either. You call me. Got it?"

Piper leaps from her chair, throwing her arms around my neck.

"Oh my God! Thank you!" She squeezes me tighter, and I hug her back. She pulls away, and I notice how happy she is, but tears fill her eyes.

"What's wrong?"

Her smile lights up her face. "I'm just happy, dad. You're trusting me to travel on my own, without you, or one of the guys tagging along to chaperone. It's a huge step," she embraces me again. "I'm so proud of you." I hear the playfulness in her voice, and I poke her side, causing her to laugh.

"Who's the parent here, smartass?" I grin, looking up at her.

Piper shrugs. "That's debatable sometimes," she laughs again. "I need to get ready for school. Finish your breakfast then get some sleep," she throws over her shoulder as she turns to leave.

"Don't make me change my mind, Bean. Oh, and one more thing, no sex," I throw the last part out before her foot hits the stairs.

"Dad, we've had this talk, like a million times."

"And what have I always told you?" I ask with a mouth full of food.

"Ugh, come on," Piper whines.

"Piper," I say in a stern voice, and her arms fold across her chest with a huff.

"The right one is worth waiting for," she grumbles under her breath as she bounds up the stairs to her room.

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