Page 136 of Dangerous Encore
I believe him, but, somehow, it's notcomforting.
Mal gets out of the car first. He walks all the way around the hood to open my door and offer mehishand.
"Thank you, sir." I play along. "You're always such agentleman."
Mal nods. "Anythingforyou."
He's teasing, but Dad is enjoying the gesture. My parents are traditional. Extremely traditional. They're going to pushchurch weddingeven though neither of them attends massregularly.
"Lacey." Dad outstretches his arms and motionscome here. "I'vemissedyou."
I move in to give him a hug. It's a little strange. It's been a year since I've seen him and I've resisted his affection for longer. It tends to come withsurprise, Mom'sheretoo.
"I missed you too." I release our hug and motion to my fiancé. "You haven't formallymetMal."
"I haven't." He and Mal shake. "It's nice to meet you, son." He glances at me. "That ring isnice.Real?"
"Dad! What's that matter?" Really, I don't care how much the ring costs. Mal picked it out for me. That's more thanenough.
Mal chuckles. "It exists inreality."
Dad tilts his head. His eyes fill with confusion. He's not ametaphorguy.
"It's real." Mal slides his arm around my waist. "A fake ring might have been better. You wouldn't have to worry about losing it onlocation."
"This one is perfect,"Isay.
Dad nods. "It's nice." He looks to Mal then to me. "He's so tall. You didn'ttellme."
"He is tall," Iagree.
"Handsome. And built too. Like he can fight,"Dadsays.
"Thank you. Should I call you Mr. Waltz or…" Mal trails off to letfinish.
"Johannes." Dad turns toward the car. "I can tell already. Not regularmaintenance."
"Regular enough." Maybe. In theory. The thing stillruns,okay?
"Let me look at her." Dad doesn't wait for permission. He slides into the driver's seat and pops the hood. Then he's leaning over it, staring at the engine. "You need a tune up,Lacey."
"I'll get one next week. I promise,"Isay.
"Baby, you don't take care of your auto," Malteases.
"It's tragic, I know." I fight my desire to roll my eyes. It's a car. Whocares?
"Bring her to the shop. I'll take care of her," Dadbargains.
"I'll think about it." This is a far drive and I'm not sure I'll be ready for more familial bondinganytimesoon.
"Every ninety days, Lacey. And you're in LA. Bad streets, you drive all the time. Every two months is better,"Dadsays.
"I'll make sure she complies." Mal pulls me closer. He leans in to whisper in my ear. "Or I might have topunishyou."
Ahem.
Dad's attention is still fixed on my car. He motions to the door. "Go help your mother with dinner. I'll be there in fiveminutes."
