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"Pleasure to meet you sir," Wyatt says, reaching across to politely shake Dad's hand. "You have a remarkable daughter." I feel my cheeks heat at the compliment as Dad smiles approvingly at Wyatt.
"That she is. But she’s also as stubborn as a bull and as fierce as a tiger. Are you up for that?"
Tiger? I resist the urge to kick Dad under the table for his crazy analogies. He started giving comparisons to anything animal as soon as I started showing an interest in them and it’s only gotten worse over the years
Wilder drawls confidently, "Well she keeps us on our toes. But that just makes it interesting." He winks and I glare back, hoping my blush isn't visible.
Dad regards Wilder thoughtfully. "And what do you do, son?"
"I'm a surgeon, sir. Well, almost. I’m in my last year of residency. Then I’ll be full fledged."
I blink in surprise. Is that actually true or just part of his cover story? I find myself curiously wanting to know more. To my relief, Dad seems impressed.
"Noble profession. And you?" He turns to Wyatt.
"I used to be a criminal defense lawyer." Wyatt's smooth voice reveals nothing but professionalism.
“And now?” Dad’s mouth turns down. He’s never been a big fan of lawyers.
“I’m between jobs.” Wyatt’s jaw tightens imperceptibly and I focus on the movement. He’s either choosing an odd faux backstory for his character, or there’s some truth to what he’s saying. Based on the stiffness in his posture, it has to be the latter. Which only makes me curious. Apparently my dad catches on too and voices the question for me.
“Why’s that, son?” And for some reason, despite the intensity of the moment, I almost laugh because…jeez. Wyatt can’t be that much younger than my dad. Which is weird. And funny. And just a little bit hot.
“It wasn’t…fulfilling in the way I thought it would be.” His face shuts down and I can tell that he’s done speaking on the subject. Which is a shame, because I can tell there’s a lot more to the story than he’s saying. And I’m a curious person.
Dad nods, the curiosity he passed down to me swirling in his eyes too, but just like me, he can tell it would be crossing a line to ask. Instead, he looks expectantly at Emrys, who has yet to speak. I tense, realizing I know the least about this brooding wild card of the group.
After a weighty pause, Emrys rumbles, "Animals."
“Oh! Is that how you and Kat met?” Dad shoots me a wide, genuine grin and I can’t help my own smile.
“Yes.” Emrys’ reply is short, but when I glare at him, he clears his throat and shifts in his seat. “I met her when she brought an injured bear cub into my clinic.” Dad’s eyes crinkle in confusion and I jump in to help cover the plot holes in the story.
“I stumbled on the bear cub on one of my hikes. I was scared he wouldn’t last long enough to get him to one of my clinics, so I took him to the closest one. Which just so happened to be his…” I trail off, waving my hand in Emyrs’ direction. Understanding settles on my father’s features and he nods.
“Did the cub make it?” I bat away the guilt at lying to my dad again, and force a smile onto my face.
“He sure did. Took him to my Sandlewood location. He fit right in with the other cubs.” Waiters begin circulating with cocktails and salads, stopping the conversation in its tracks as they take our orders.
After they leave, my father turns to Wilder and Wyatt with a genial smile. "So how did you two meet my Kitty Kat?"
Wyatt dabs his mouth politely with his napkin. "We met at a charity benefit last spring. I was quite taken with her sharp wit and passion for helping others."
"Is that so?" Dad seems impressed. He looks expectantly at Wilder.
"Oh we go way back, isn't that right darlin'?" Wilder drawls with a roguish wink in my direction.
I nearly choke on my salad at his boldness. Before I can protest, he continues smoothly. "We met when she quite literally ran into me on one of my hikes. I was just mindin’ my business, takin’ in the sights, when I was suddenly bowled over and staring at the bright blue sky above me. I found myself stuck with a thorn in my side that just never went away."
Dad chuckles good-naturedly. "That does sound like my Kat." He settles back in his seat, regarding the three men thoughtfully. "You boys seem alright. But just know, any man who gets involved with my Kitty Kat better treat her right."
His eyes flick between them, deadly serious beneath his casual tone.
"Any fool who hurts my girl, or pressures her into something she doesn't want, will answer to me."
Wyatt's spine straightens. "Of course, sir."
Wilder places his hand on mine and rubs a gentle circle on my skin. "No doubts there."
