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He nodded, watching me with concern. “I planned on waiting, at least until you were in college, but it seems silly to put off the inevitable. It would be different if you were younger and needed me. I mean, you’re mature and responsible enough not to need my full attention. Of course, you’ll always be my first priority.”
I almost snorted. His first priority was and always would be work. I wasn’t even a close second, but I let that slide. It wasn’t like I wanted him around more at the moment.
I studied him. He was happier than I’d ever seen him, and I knew a large part of that was due to Juliet. I hated her for not being the woman he thought she was. I hated her for lying. I hated her for putting me in this position. I didn’t want to be the one to break my dad’s heart, but the guys were right. Even if I did move away, I couldn’t let him marry her without knowing the truth.
I had no idea if her feelings for him were real or not. What started out as a job might have grown into more, but it didn’t matter. She was a fake.
I needed evidence. I had to have the concrete proof to show dad. To prevent him from making a huge mistake.
“Are you not happy for me? For us?” The hurt in his voice made me want to pick up my plate and shatter it on the ground. It wasn’t fair. I didn’t want him to think that.
“No, I’m so happy that you’ve found someone and that you’re in love.” I hoped he knew I was being honest. “I just . . . how well do you know her? You’ve only known each other for like eight months.”
He leaned back, “Sometimes you just know.”
My stomach rolled like I was going to puke. How could I stop him without either telling him or being the biggest brat in the world? I could throw a fit and beg him not to do anything until I graduated, but that wasn’t a real solution. He had to know the truth.
“When are you going to ask her?”
“I was hoping you’d go ring shopping with me this weekend. It usually takes a few weeks or so for the ring to be made, so probably sometime this summer.”
I held in a sigh and nodded. I had time. Nothing was happening immediately.
“If you’re not comfortable with that, you don’t have to be involved.” He offered a sad smile. “I would really like for you to be though.”
“Okay.” I forced myself to act excited as he told me different ideas he had for proposing, including another elaborate trip. He asked if I wanted to be included on the drive home, but I shot that down quickly. Even if Juliet wasn’t a spy, or whatever she was, I didn’t want to be there when my dad proposed to the woman he loved. That was just too weird.
I kept myself together until we got home. “I’ve got to help Gavin with a project. I might be late.”
Dad nodded and headed inside while I hurried across the street. I didn’t bother knocking and took the front stairs up to his room. I pushed his door open and slipped inside, closing it behind me. He jumped at his desk and looked up at me.
“Ave, shit. You scared me.” He took me in and stood. “What's wrong? What happened?”
The moment his arms wrapped around me and my cheek met his chest, I burst into tears. “He wants to marry her.”
He sighed and rubbed my back in slow, soothing motions. “Did he ask her already?”
I shook my head, burying my face in his shirt. “Not yet.”
“Then, there’s time. We’ll figure something out. We’ll get proof that Juliet isn’t who she says she is, and we’ll show him.” He pulled away and tilted my face up, so I was forced to meet his eyes. “You’re not alone, Ave. I’m here for you. We all are.”
He lowered his lips and pressed a soft kiss to mine. Being in his arms was a balm to my heart and pushed away the panic I’d barely contained since my dad’s announcement. Gavin was all I needed. He made big, scary things manageable. He made things seem easy.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and pushed my fingers into his hair. I loved the soft, shaggy feel as I dragged my nails through. Electricity filled the air as the energy between us shifted. He moaned and turned, taking me with him until the back of my legs hit his bed.
He broke away and stared down at me with a hunger I’d never seen from him before. I mustered all my courage and refused to look away. This was when one of us normally stopped. We’d move apart and go back to talking, or I’d leave.
Not this time. This was different. My need was for more than just comforting words and sweet kisses. I needed him.
“My parents are gone,” he whispered, and my heart rate jumped. “Some mission. They won’t be back for a day or two.”
Why was he telling me this?
His eyes dropped to my lips as he licked his.
Oh. That’s why.
“Gavin,” I breathed his name and pulled on his shirt to get him closer.
