“Not much,” I lied. Truthfully, it would be a hit, but . . . but I wasn’t their little girl they needed to swoop in and save anymore. Besides, they worked hard for their money and I’d like to see my dad retire at some point in this century. I fixed my glasses since they’d started to slide down my nose. “I’m going to be okay.”

Dad stared at me a moment longer and then he stepped back, folding his arms. Something about the sudden hard set of his jaw had me worried. “So, what’s this I hear about you and Reece?”

“What?” I shrieked, hopping up from the recliner.

He narrowed his eyes. “I heard that you two have been spending some time together.”

I gaped at him. Reece and I had only hung out one night, and I so was not going to even think about that night in the presence of my father. Ew. “Who told you that Reece and I have been hanging out?”

“I ran into Melvin at the hardware store yesterday morning. He told me that Reece was seen waiting for you to get off work a few nights back.”

Crossing my arms, I rolled my eyes. “Melvin is delusional.”

“So it’s not true?”

Was that disappointment I was hearing in my dad’s voice? Of course it was. I’m pretty sure Dad wanted to adopt both Reece and Colton.

“Now, I don’t want any details and maybe he was just being a good guy and making sure you were getting home safe since what happened to those girls in the town over . . .” He trailed off, waiting.

“Maybe Melvin needs to stop gossiping.” I tucked a loose strand back as I glanced out the front window. It had finally stopped raining this morning, but it was a dreary day. “Reece and I . . .” How did I explain what Reece and I were when I had no idea? “We’re hanging out,” I finished lamely.

His brows furrowed together.

“We’re friends,” I rushed on, feeling my cheeks heat. “We’re supposed to have dinner tonight.”

A slow smile crept over his face. “Is that so?”

“Yeah.” I shifted from foot to foot.

He nodded slowly. “You know, he’s a good boy. I’ve always thought that you and him would be good together.”

“Don’t tell Mom.”

The smile spread and his dark eyes danced.

“Dad! Don’t you dare say anything to Mom. She’ll read into it, start planning our wedding, and she’ll call Reece’s Mom!”

“They’d both probably start knitting booties for a nonexistent grandchild,” he agreed with a chuckle.

“Oh God,” I groaned, wrinkling my nose. “Not funny.”

“I won’t say anything,” he replied, but I so knew he was lying. As soon as he left, he’d be on the phone to Mom. “I’ve got to get back to the office. Come give me a hug.”