He blinks in disbelief. Satisfaction coils in my gut as the panic sets in his gaze. “You’re not serious.”

“I am.”

Four steps. That’s all it takes for him to make his way from my kitchen counter to my personal space. There’s a silent battle of wills between us, and I take pride in my small victory when he looks away first.

“Why would you be working with him?”

“Because he’s the best.”

“You can’t afford to get distracted from your goals.”

“I’m not distracted.”

“That boy does nothing but distract you.”

“He’s not a boy anymore, Dad. Just like I’m not a little girl anymore. I can handle my own recovery without your input.”

His eye twitches. “I’m the reason your career has gone as well as it has, so you should be thanking me instead of being a little shit.” Right. He’s the reason. Not my natural talent and sheer determination. I’m done with this conversation.

“Loosen the reins. I got this. Kai and I are long over. You made sure of that, remember? It’s just PT.” I won’t let him do to Kai what he did to Dante.

He looks me over as if he’s waiting for my nose to grow before checking his watch. “I’m running late for a meeting, but we’ll talk about this later, Liv. Answer your phone when I call you.”

I limp after him to hold the door open. He reminds me once again to expect his call before hustling out to his car. I wave him off then close the door and lean my forehead against it.

A part of me is pissed at my father’s audacity, but another part of me is glad for his pop-up visit because it just solidifies that I need to keep Kai in a strict friend-only zone.

Chapter Fifteen

Olivia

My good knee bounces up and down viciously as I wait for Kai to finish up his notes after our session.

I hate this office. The walls are too white and the air is too thin. Every time I sit in this damn chair I feel even further from my goals.

“Tell me what’s up,” Kai demands.

“What do you mean?”

He doesn’t look at me nor does he stop typing his notes. “That knee is going crazy over there and you’re really quiet. What’s bothering you?”

When I don’t answer, he scoots his chair over until he’s right in front of me, pulling my chin up so I’m forced to look in his eyes.