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“Would you just think about it?” Minka pleaded.
Think about it? Sure. Think about repeating an act that had once opened the doorway to an abusive relationship?
No problem.
Vectra groaned, hiding her face in her palms.
* * *
“I told you I love it, Dad.”
“But you’ve only seen it on paper.” Oscar Bauer closed the leather portfolio that carried information about his intended real estate acquisition in Lake Misurina, Italy.
Vectra patted her father’s hand over the portfolio. “If you love it, then I love it. Who am I to throw in my two cents about a place you want as your retirement oasis?”
Oscar’s square jaw clenched. “You’re my daughter and,” he emphasized when Vectra opened her mouth to reply, “the closest thing I have to your mother. Having you go there and give your blessing would be like having her do it. In my mind, anyway.”
Vectra’s smile was indulgent as she squeezed her dad’s hand. “This is unfair, but too sweet to refuse.”
He grinned. “Pleased I’ve persuaded you.”
“But I don’t think Oliver would be too happy to hear you say I’m the closest thing you have to Momma.”
“Hmph.” Oscar bumped his fist lightly against Vectra’s jaw. “My son is a handsome devil, but I know he’d agree he’s nowhere near as beautiful as you are.”
“That’s what you think!”
Father and daughter shared a laugh at Oliver’s expense and continued their lunch at the small but popular bar and grill not far from Oscar’s SoMa loft. When Vectra heard her dad chuckle out Qasim’s name, her gaze flew upward to lock with his bottomless ebony stare.
“Mr. B.” Qasim greeted the older man with a handshake.
“Join us, kid!” Oscar urged.
“I’ll have to decline this time, sir.”
“What are you doing here?” Vectra blurted, dismissing the shivers attacking her beneath the cotton fabric of her olive-green wrap dress.
Qasim appeared pleased by her curiosity. “I had a meeting with a client.”
“We need to get together, too, Sim. My treat,” Oscar offered.
Qasim chuckled. “I never turn down a free lunch. We’ll make it happen soon.” He returned his focus to Vectra and then, holding her gaze, he leaned down to apply a lingering kiss to her cheek. “I’ll see you tonight.” He made no attempt to whisper.
Vectra waited for the floor to open up and swallow her.
Qasim straightened. “Have a good day, sir.” He nodded to Oscar and moved on.
Oscar’s expression had gone from curious, to stunned, to elated in a matter a seconds. He steadied his voice in hopes of keeping those very visible emotions from betraying him to his daughter, however. “It’d be a good idea for you to bring him with you to Italy.”
“Dad!” Vectra was utterly floored.
Oscar shrugged. “What? It makes perfect sense. I trust Sim to tell me if I’m making good investments.”
“And what about all that ‘your blessing is all I need’ stuff?”
Oscar shrugged again. “I need your spiritual blessing and Sim’s financial. See? All my bases are covered.”
Vectra couldn’t help but laugh.
* * *
“I won’t apologize for today.” Qasim wasn’t surprised by Vectra’s unexpected arrival at his place that night earlier than he’d planned. But if he was honest, he’d actually counted on her showing up right after lunch.
“Do you think I expect an apology?” she asked.
“Don’t you?”
“Does my answer determine admittance?”
Qasim stepped aside, silently admitting her to move forward. “Did Oscar ask questions?” he asked.
“No...” Vectra’s tone was deceptively airy. “He really didn’t have to since you pretty much gave him all the answers.”
Grinning, Qasim closed the door and followed her inside the condo. “Is that a problem for you?”
She strolled the walnut flooring, her spiky sandals lightly clicking in her wake. “If it were a problem, I’d have come here demanding an apology.”
“Demanding,” Qasim repeated the word while stalking her around the open main room.
“I’d be well within my rights.”
“Would you, now?”
“Very well within... I’m just not all that fond of my dad being ‘in the know’ about my sex life.”
“Understood.” Qasim gave in to soft laughter. “But in my defense, the man did look very happy.”
Vectra cringed. “Could we just not talk about it?”
She turned to resume her trek around the inviting room and Qasim resumed his prowl behind her. “I’m good with not talking.”
