“Nah, I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

“I’m similar to my dad in a lot of ways.”

I wait, but he doesn’t add anything else. “Yeah, I know.”

“So…I’d worry that I’d be like him as a dad.”

“Oh.” That’s my response when I don’t know what my response should be.

Gray’s expression turns wry. “I know you think my dad is—”

“I think your dad is a good person,” I interrupt. “I think he’s smart. I think he’s accomplished. He’s a great boss. Well…my boss’s boss’s boss technically. But he’s not my dad. I don’t know what it’s like to have him as a dad. I can respect him as a doctor and my chief and the guy who judged the school science fair because I asked him to and still think that it’s shitty that he removed the Duke Dad sticker from his car and never replaced it with an Air Force one.”

Gray stares at me. “I broke his heart. His father and grandfather both went to Duke. Became doctors. I got in…I could’ve gone, and I think that’s the worst part for him. I got in, and I walked away.”

“Why did you?”

He shrugs. “I realized I’d never meet his expectations. I decided it was better to stop trying, especially when it wasn’t what I wanted.”

“Why the Air Force?”

“It’s a rush. A high. The work I do…it’s important. I’m good at it. And I thought…” He lets out a dry laugh. “I thought my dad would get over it. Might respect it. Nine years later, he’s still holding a grudge.”

“Have you tried talking to him?”

“And say what? Ask him to respect the decision I made nearly a decade ago? He knows, Evie. He knows I’m too stubborn to bury the hatchet first, and even if I wasn’t? What do I have to apologize for? Choosing my own path? He should respect that, not resent it.”

I nod. “You’re right.”

Gray’s face shows surprise. He obviously thought I would defend his dad.

“And you shouldn’t assume I’ll take someone else’s side over yours. Because honestly? Most of the time, I’ll take yours.” The words are honest—too honest.

I respect Gray. My attraction to him has never been superficial. I’ve always thought he was the best-looking guy in the room. But I more admire the characteristics you have to know him to see. I might not see him as a brother, but I’d defend him as viciously as I would Noah. Even against another man I respect.

“I’m sorry about dinner last night. I was pissed she invited you like some sort of referee.”

“I didn’t realize how…tense things were.”

“Yeah, well…” Gray shrugs. “It is what it is.”