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He suddenly produced a smile. Not a real smile. Not the kind that reached his eyes and enhanced his handsome features. And in the past month, he had smiled more than she figured he used to.
“I’m fine.” Then he leaned down and kissed her. “I’m fine.”
For the first time, she knew Dane just lied to her.
Because he was not fine at all.
18
Dane steeled his spine and stepped into the living room with Gabriella by his side. Her presence helped the tension weaving its way through his veins to not warp his body as if he just received the worst beat down. But it all worried him.
Would his father act appropriately? He didn’t expect much from Champ, and Gabriella already knew the kind of man his brother was. But he didn’t want his father to act like he always did. Not in front of her.
“Hello, Father.” He managed a slight grin for him. When his gaze landed on Champ, he dropped all pretenses. “Champ.”
“You finally made it. Your mother’s been worrying like crazy. I don’t know why you couldn’t be here early,” his father scolded. “Like your brother.”
And there it was. Already. The first words out of his mouth.
No hello.
No how are you?
No nice to see you.
Just simple berating and “why can’t you act like your brother?” Shit never changed. And if it wasn’t for his mother, he wouldn’t even come around. Why should he when he dealt with this kind of treatment every single time?
Instead of responding with a sarcastic comment, an automatic response usually when he dealt with his father, he smiled.
A big, wide smile that had his father frowning. Not an unusual look for him. He usually frowned when Dane was around.
“This is Gabriella. My girlfriend.” He pulled her closer to his side and looked down at her. She returned his smile with a sweet one of her own. That smile managed to uncoil one knot of tension sitting deep in the pit of his stomach. “Gabriella, this is my father, Bryan Holloway.” He inclined his head toward his father. “And you know Champ.”
“Mr. Holloway, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Gabriella stepped forward and held out her hand in greeting.
Dane should’ve known Gabriella wouldn’t cower in his father’s presence. Most people did. Not his Gabriella. She was the most fierce, most courageous, most confident woman he had ever met.
His father shook her hand, yet no smile appeared. If anything, he narrowed his eyes some.
“I hear you worked at the company.”
Her smile faltered, but only for a second. “Yes, temporarily. To help Dane out.”
Champ coughed. More like a laugh, but he had to cover it up with a fake cough. Dane figured Champ was the one to tell their father Gabriella worked at the company for only a week. Because he sure in hell didn’t say anything. Of course, he knew Champ didn’t tell their father the real reason she had because then he’d have to admit he cheated on a woman. And Champ never let their father see his many failures. Either that or his father was blind when it came to him.
“Yes, well, that doesn’t surprise me. Dane usually needs help. He’s not like his brother at all.” His father turned toward Champ with a proud smile that made Dane want to puke.
Gabriella chuckled. She made it sound like the kind of giggle a woman would give a man she was trying to please. “Oh, yes, Dane isnothinglike his brother.”
Then she grabbed his hand and snuggled into his side while looking up at him with adoring eyes. Oh, how he could drown in her eyes until the end of time.
This beautiful woman had no idea how much her presence meant to him. He thought this supper might be a night of hell. But not with her by his side. Her witty retorts. Her secret sarcastic comments. Her standing tall and proud by his side. Giving her support.
“Well, Dane isn’t dating a useless woman for once. How nice.” Then his father started to head out of the room as if he hadn’t insulted Gabriella. “Let’s head to the dining room before your mother comes looking for us.”
Her mouth opened a bit in surprise, yet she didn’t say a word.
Champ chuckled and followed his father.
