Page 62 of When We Were Reckless
“Hey, Mark.”
“I haven’t seen you in years.”
We stepped aside to let a woman pass. “Yeah. It’s been a while. You’re here for Quinn?”
He nodded, his eyes darting to the door of the doctor’s office. “I didn’t know she had an appointment until I saw it on Abby’s calendar.” He frowned, clearly not impressed that he hadn’t been apprised of Quinn’s doctor appointment.
“I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you.”
He grimaced. “Not so sure about that. I haven’t been the most reliable father lately.”
“It’s never too late. She has a big heart. Doesn’t hold grudges.”
“You know my daughter well. But then, you two have always been close.” He clapped me on the shoulder and smiled at me. “Thanks for being here for her. Appreciate it.”
Another Cavanaugh thanking me for being here for Quinn. Not sure any of them would be quite so grateful if they knew the truth. “Anytime.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Quinn
When I walkedinto the waiting room after my appointment, I’d expected to see Jesse waiting for me. Instead, my father stood up from his chair and walked toward me, a big smile on his face.
“How’s my girl? What did Dr. Greenbaum say?”
“Um, yeah. Everything is fine. All good.” My gaze darted around the waiting room, but there was no sign of Jesse. “What are you doing here?”
“How about an early dinner?” He held the door for me, and I stepped out of the air conditioning into the heat. “Thought I’d take you to that teppanyaki place you used to love.”
“I… I can’t.” I gestured toward Jesse, who was leaning against the side of his truck, talking on the phone. “Jesse brought me.”
“How about I take you both?” My dad slid his phone out of his pocket, and knowing him, he was already making reservations. “It’s the least I can do to thank him for being there for you.”
“Um, I don’t think…”
Jesse ended his call and walked over to us. “Everything okay?” he asked, his gaze focused on me.
I nodded, not sure if he was asking about my doctor’s appointment or the fact that my dad had turned up.
“I’m taking you two out to dinner. How does Japanese sound?”
“Jesse probably already has plans—”
“I’m free,” he said with an easy smile. “And Japanese sounds great.”
“Jesse, you don’t have to—”
“It’s cool. What’s the place called?” Jesse asked my dad, his thumb poised over his phone screen, ready to search for the restaurant’s location.
Guess we were doing this.
* * *
Dinner lasted two hours. It was nice. Kind of weird to be with my dad and Jesse but in a good way.
By the time we said goodbye outside the restaurant and got in Jesse’s truck to go home, I was in a food coma. I wouldn’t need to eat again for an entire week.
My dad had spent a good part of the dinner extolling the virtues of Austin. I got the feeling he was trying to sway me. Convince me to stay in Texas. But Jesse had been talking about the merits of California, fully supporting my decision and me, I guess, which had felt good. Like we were a team.
