She’d understood because Gracie had a tendency to smother. Was that why he’d left, she’d wondered a million times. Because her mother had been one of those clinging-vine women? Or was she the clingy one? Janet had spent her childhood trying to prove that she was anything but needy.
Even now, knowing her father was standing in the foyer made her feel like that awkward little girl who repeatedly failed to please him no matter how hard she tried.
Janet knew why her mother had let the cat out of the bag about her relationship with Gage—except that she had no relationship with Gage beyond colleague and neighbor. Gracie held a trump card in her ongoing emotional tug-of-war with Niles Hunter, and she had played it. Janet knew her mother far too well. Her motive in asking him to dinner was twofold.
One to scoop her ex-husband. And two, to turn up the pressure on her daughter to get married and have babies. What better way to accomplish her goals than to tell Niles that Janet was dating one of the few men in the world her father would respect? Gracie knew how much Janet craved his approval, and she was using it against her.
Queen Machiavelli.
Gracie had ensnared her and at this very instant, her mother looked quite pleased with herself. That nutty Nadine had probably instigated the whole deal.
“I’ll get the door,” Gracie said when she saw Janet glowering at her, and she darted from the kitchen.
“What’s going on?” Gage asked.
Janet turned to him and wrapped her fingers around his upper arm. “I’ve got a tremendous favor to ask of you.”
“Sure. Whatever you need.”
“The breakup is off.”
“What?”
“Don’t break up with me in front of my father. Please.”
“I’m right beside you,” Gage whispered, his mouth close enough that she could feel his warm breath on her skin. “Backing you up. Whatever you need.”
She flashed him a grateful smile and her knees went weak with relief. Squaring her shoulders, she took a deep breath, swallowed her fear, and followed Gracie out of the kitchen. Gage walked right beside her as he had promised.
She shouldn’t count on his support. She didn’t like depending on him, but this was an emergency and his hand at her elbow felt so darned reassuring. Besides, Gage didn’t seem to mind.
Her father had stepped over the threshold, his tall, broad-shouldered frame almost filling the foyer. He wore a dark-blue suit and black dress shoes polished to a high sheen. Janet had never seen him in jeans or shorts or even a pair of chinos. He dressed impeccably, no matter the occasion.
He presented a sharp contrast to Gage, who at this very moment wore faded denim jeans, a garish Hawaiian print shirt, and brown sandals. When he’d shown up at her door, she’d marveled at how relaxed he looked, how easy it was for him to be himself. Janet had spent many happy childhood hours watching reruns of old beach movies with Gracie, and she had developed a certain fondness for beachcombers and surfer dudes.
But now she could only imagine what her father must think about his unconventional attire. Moon Doggy meet Prince Charles. She suppressed a shudder and wished she had a spare Armani suit tucked in her purse for Gage to slip into.
Stop trying to make Gage over. His unconventionality is what you like about him.
Gracie nervously wiped her hands on her apron. She looked so incongruous beside her ex-husband. Janet couldn’t help wondering for the millionth time how the two of them had ever gotten together. They were as different from each other as leaded crystal and Solo cups.
When her father saw Gage, he broke into a smile and extended his hand. “Dr. Gregory, I presume.” He didn’t say it as a joke, a takeoff on the classic, “Dr Livingston, I presume.” That formal greeting was actually the way he spoke. “I understand you’re dating my daughter.”
Gage shook his hand. “How do you do, Mr. Hunter. I’m very pleased to meet you, sir.”
Janet cringed. Oh no! She had forgotten to brief Gage on one very crucial essential. Her father was one of the most renowned plastic surgeons in Texas.
“Mister?” Her father swiveled his head in Janet’s direction and drilled her with a hard-eyed glare. “You didn’t bother to tell your friend that I’m a surgeon?”
“I-I...” Janet stuttered.
“The mistake is all mine, Dr. Hunter,” Gage said smoothly. “Please forgive me. Janet told me you were a physician, but it was a slip of my tongue.”
I owe you big-time, Janet mentally telegraphed to Gage.
He must have caught her vibes—by sharing an office with him she’d already discovered he was good at picking up on her moods—for his eyes met hers and he gave her a reassuring wink.
“That’s all right,” her father said magnanimously. “I’m sure you must be very busy setting up your practice here in Houston to worry about incidental details like my credentials.”
It frustrated her how easily her father forgave a complete stranger. Where his forgiveness was concerned, Janet never felt absolved. Sometimes it seemed her greatest transgression had been being born female, and there was nothing she could do to correct that mistake, short of a sex-change operation.
What was so magical about having a penis?
“Setting up a practice,” Gage echoed and dropped an admiring gaze on Janet that warmed her to the core. “And dating your lovely daughter.”
She studied Gage intently, observing his lively, intelligent eyes that were the focal point of his face. Those chocolate-brown eyes could easily sucker you in, make you feel special and cared for.
Be careful, rational voice warned. Don’t mistake gratitude for more than it is. Don’t start buying into Gracie’s fantasy. You could have nothing permanent with Gage. You ’re both too different. And besides, there’s your career to consider.
“How on earth did my daughter attract an accomplished surgeon like yourself?” her father asked and placed a hand on Gage’s shoulder. “You should have seen the riffraff she used to bring home when she
