Read Online Smart Girls Think Twice by Cathie Linz - Free Book Online Page B

croaked. She had to clear her throat before continuing. “I . . . um . . . I wasn’t expecting to see anyone and my dad just startled me, that’s all. I didn’t realize he was in town yet.”
    “Arrived this morning. That was some scream,” her dad said. “You’ve got a good set of pipes on you, Sweet Pea.” He then turned his attention to Jake. “So are you a friend of my daughter’s?”
    “I’m her date for the upcoming weddings.”
    “Really? Her date, huh? Sounds serious. How long have you two been seeing each other?”
    Since when had her normally nonverbal dad turned into Mr. Chatty? He hadn’t questioned her high school date to the prom this much.
    Wait, she hadn’t gone to prom.
    “We haven’t been seeing each other for that long,” Jake replied, “but your daughter made a big impression on me the first time we met.”
    “She did, huh?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Call me Bob.” Her dad held out his hand, which Jake shook without wincing.
    Emma knew her dad had the fierce handshake of a former Marine. He’d taught her as a kid to have a firm handshake and not a wimpy girly one that was like a dead fish. And when she’d get it right, he’d beam with pride. As he had when she’d graduated from college.
    He’d been so proud.
    Those were fond memories, not scary ones.
    A majority of her memories were good, which was why that momentary flash of cowering in the corner was so disconcerting to her. She thought she’d come to terms with her past. It was her present that was giving her fits.
    “Nice to meet you, Bob,” Jake said.
    “Same here.”
    “Well, if everything’s okay here, I guess I’ll leave you two alone then,” Jake said.
    “Why not come in for a spell?” her dad said.
    Emma looked over her shoulder at her dad as if he’d lost his mind. Maybe he had. He never invited people in. He was not a people person. What was going on here?
    “Invite the man in, Sweet Pea,” her dad instructed.
    “I, uh . . . would you like to come inside?” Hardly the most heartfelt of invitations, but hey, she was still wobbly on her emotional pins.
    “Come on, Jake, we won’t take no for an answer,” her dad answered.
    And so it was that Emma unlocked her door and ushered the two men inside while mentally hoping she hadn’t left anything in plain view that she shouldn’t have. The small size of the studio apartment required her to be tidy. A quick scan of the room reassured her that the only messy place was the dining table she was using as a desk, where papers and books were spread out.
    “And I thought the mobile home was small.” Her dad shook his head. “I’ve seen RVs bigger than this.”
    “It’s not that bad. I like it. Can I get either of you something to drink? I’ve only got Dr Pepper.
    The fridge doesn’t hold much and I wasn’t expecting company.”
    “Nothing for me,” her dad said.
    “I’m fine,” Jake concurred.
    Her dad gingerly sat on the futon, as if expecting it to collapse beneath his weight. “Your mom sent me over here to find out why you wouldn’t stay with us at home.”
    Emma rolled her eyes. “I already told her I’ve rented this place for the summer while I do my work here. The research grant I got will cover the rent.”
    “Yeah, well, you know how your mom is.” He looked around the room. “It doesn’t seem like the flea-bitten hovel she made it out to be.”
    “She hasn’t even seen it,” Emma protested.
    “You know how mothers are. Right, Jake?”
    He just shrugged. Something about his expression caught Emma’s attention and made her wonder at the momentary flash of emotion there. It was there and gone so quickly she couldn’t even completely identify what it was—pain or anger?
    “So are you from around here, Jake?” her dad asked.
    “No, but I’m enjoying my time in Rock Creek.”
    “What do you do?”
    “I’m a bartender at Nick’s Tavern.”
    Her dad was not impressed. Emma was tempted to tell him that Jake was an extreme sports