I shake my head before I even realize I'm doing it.
"I don't want someone else deciding what matters to me."
Dad's expression hardens.
"Daniel wasn't deciding anything."
"He didn't ask me."
"He invited you to dinner."
"He told me we'd find a time."
Dad lets out a slow breath like he's trying very hard to stay patient.
"You're reading too much into this."
"No."
The word comes out before I can stop it.
"I'm really not."
The kitchen goes completely still.
Mom's hands freeze on the towel she's folding.
Dad looks at me like he isn't sure he heard me correctly.
"I don't know him."
"You'll get to."
"What if I don't want to?"
Mom closes her eyes.
Just for a second.
Dad doesn't even hesitate.
"You should."
"Why?"
"Because he's exactly the kind of man a young woman should be looking for."
"What if I'm looking for something different?"
His eyes narrow.
"I don't think you know what you're looking for."
The words sting more than I expect.
"I know I want to finish school."
"You can."
