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“I swept her off her feet.” I grin, but he just stares at me, so I explain how I ran into her at the park and then again later that day at Will’s. “I just kept running into her and couldn’t get her off my mind. So, I asked her out.”
“And now?”
I accept the beer he offers me and take a drink. I haven’t had a beer in months, and it tastes good today.
“Now, I can’t get enough of her. She’s so damn smart. Gorgeous. Funny.”
“Yeah.” He opens the grill again. “She is all of that. And if you hurt her, I’ll kill you.”
“Will also already threatened that.”
“I have several brothers who will help, who know how to make it look like an accident, and no one will ever find the body.”
He’s not kidding, and we both know it.
“Understood.”
My phone rings, and I glance down at it, see my father’s name, and send him to voice mail.
And so it begins.
“So, you’re from Oklahoma originally?” Isaac asks.
“I am. I prefer the Pacific Northwest. I like the weather, being close to the ocean, and pretty much everything.”
“You like the weather?”
“I do. I don’t mind the rain, and it’s not bitter cold in the winter like what we get in Oklahoma. And no tornadoes.”
“That’s true.” He pulls the steaks off the grill and puts them on a plate, then covers them just as my phone rings again. “These steaks have to rest.”
I send my dad to voice mail.
Isaac eyes my phone. “Is that your father?”
“Yeah.” I sip my beer.
“Maybe you should answer it.”
There is no part of me that wants to take this call, especially in front of Sophie’s dad.
“He can wait.”
But my phone rings again, and I blow out a breath.
“Maybe there’s an emergency,” Isaac says.
There’s no emergency.
But I answer anyway.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Son! I just saw the news on ESPN. FOUR HUNDRED MILLION!! I’m so fucking proud of you. I guess I can get my truck now, after all.”
“Look, Dad, now’s not a good time.”
“You go find some pussy to celebrate. Don’t spend all my money, now. Call me tomorrow, yeah?”
“Right. Bye, Dad.”
I hang up and feel like throwing my phone as hard as I can across the backyard.
“You heard that.”
Isaac just nods. “Yeah, I heard.”
“That’s who I come from. And I’m not proud of it.”
We’re quiet for a moment, and then Isaac lays his hand on my shoulder. “You may come from him, but you’re not him. I just met you, and I already know that, Ike.”
“No, I’m not him. But I have to deal with him.”
“I’m always around if you want to talk.”
I look over at him. Sophie looks a lot like her dad and uncles. “Thanks. I think I’ve figured out how to handle it. Now I just have to do it.”
“Fast and firm,” he replies, then picks up the plate of steaks. “That’s the best way. Be swift and be firm in your stance.”
I nod and follow Isaac into the house. “You’re right about that.”
For the rest of the evening, we leave the call from my dad and everything to do with him out of the conversation.
Stacy shows me baby pictures of Sophie, which makes Soph blush. And I just have a great time with them. They’re genuine, don’t give a shit about what I do for a living, and make me feel welcome.
On the way home, Sophie grins over at me.
“What?” I ask her.
“I knew they’d like you, but I think my mom wants to marry you.”
“Too bad for me that she’s already married.” I wink at her, making her laugh.
“Thanks for being so nice to them. I love them a lot.”
“I know you do. And you should. They’re pretty awesome.”
“You like them?” Her voice is full of hope, and I frown over at her.
“I mean, what’s not to like? They’re great.”
She nods happily. “I think you’re great.”
I waggle my eyebrows at her. “Yeah? How great do you think I am?”
“I mean, you’re totally getting laid tonight, so pretty damn fantastic.”
“So, this is an all-day bachelorette party.” I pull up to the spa in Bellevue that Sophie gave me directions to and turn to her, reaching out to cup her gorgeous face.
“Yep. We’re getting glammed up here first, then we’re getting dinner so we don’t get drunk too quickly, and then we’re totally getting drunk and dancing our asses off for several hours. Possibly all night. It’s going to be freaking awesome.”
I laugh and tuck her soft hair behind her ear.
“You know, it occurs to me that this is the second time I’ve had drinking on the agenda since I met you, but I do not usually drink this much. I promise.”
“I’m not complaining.” I lean over to kiss her. “Have a blast. Call me if you need a ride.”
“Will do. Have a good evening.” She gets out of the truck and calls out to someone. “Haley’s here. See you later.”
