Page 143 of His Surrender

“You’ve sounded happy for weeks now. I’m so glad this arrangement worked out. It’s exactly what you needed.”

I walk over to the window, looking down at the lights twinkling across Manhattan. “Is Dad there?”

“Oh, he’s sitting right beside me. I’ll put you on speaker.”

I hear some shuffling before my dad’s familiar voice comes on the line.

“Hey, Bug.”

I smile. “You know I outgrew that nickname years ago.”

“Never,” he replies matter-of-factly.

I shake my head, laughing. “I’m fighting a losing battle, aren’t I?”

“Glad you’re figuring that out. Took you twenty-two years.”

The teasing settles my nerves a little. For a moment, it almost feels like every other phone call we’ve had since I moved to the city.

Almost.

Dad must sense something because his voice softens. “What’s up?”

I twist the ring on my finger nervously. “I wanted to tell you guys something.”

“Okay …” he replies.

“Dean invited me to a charity event for his company this weekend.”

“That’s nice,” Mom says. “His company hosts one every year, doesn’t it?”

“I think so.”

“So, you’re helping with Liana that night?”

I close my eyes. “No.” I take another breath. “I’m going as his date.”

Neither of them says a word. For several long seconds, all I hear is the faint static on the line.

“Dean?” Dad finally says.

“Yes,” I swallow the lump that feels stuck in my throat.

“Dean Ledger?”

I can’t help laughing. “How many Deans do you know?”

“I just …” He lets out a surprised breath. “Steven’s Dean?”

“Yes.”

Mom gasps. “Oh my goodness.”

“I did not see that coming.” Dad still sounds completely caught off guard.

“I know,” I reply.

“I mean …” He laughs in disbelief. “I sent you over there to help with his baby.”