I felt a little antsy as I knocked on her dad’s door. It wasn’t quite nervousness, but it was fairly close. I just wanted them to like me, so they’d be okay with Kiera and I being together. Maybe even excited about it. Supportive. But I knew what I was up against. Or, more accurately, who I was up against. Denny. They liked Denny. They’d imagined Kiera having a life with him. And he was someone I would never—could never—measure up to. He was all light and goodness, and I was…not.

Inhaling a deep breath, I made myself relax as the front door swung open. An older man staring at me with narrowed eyes was the first thing I saw. Kiera’s dad. Shit. He already looked pissed. Did he know where I was last night? Behind him, I spotted an attractive woman who was definitely an older version of Kiera. Had to be her mom. Kiera and Anna were a little in front of her. Kiera was blushing for some reason; Anna was giggling. I was curious what I’d missed, but Kiera’s dad was more important at the moment.

Hoping he was still clueless about me defiling his daughter’s bedroom, I tossed on a smile and extended my hand to him. “Mr. Allen, it’s very nice to finally meet you. I’m Kellan Kyle.”

There. That was perfectly polite, right? At least he couldn’t fault me for my manners. I supposed I could thank my mom for that…she was a stickler for manners, especially around her friends. Kiera’s dad didn’t take my hand right away. I didn’t drop it though…I wasn’t giving up. Finally, he grabbed it, and shook it…for a long time. The heat of his judgment was searing into me, but I kept my expression pleasant. I know I’m not Denny, but I’m not a threat.

“Uh-huh,” was his only verbal response to my greeting. I felt the rejection in it, and it stung, but I schooled my face. It was no great surprise that he didn’t like me.

Kiera’s mom let out an annoyed sound. Stepping up to the door, she put a hand on her husband’s shoulder; it looked like a warning to me. “It’s nice to meet you too, Kellan. Please, come in, it’s freezing out there.”

Kiera’s dad was forcibly removed from the door, so I could enter. That made me smile. At least Kiera’s mom seemed to be okay with me. One out of two wasn’t so bad. Her comment about the cold made my grin turn a little devilish. Meeting Kiera’s eyes, I murmured, “I know.” It’s even colder without shoes and a jacket. Still worth it.

Kiera bit her lip and looked away. So cute.