Reach (Love Me Now Series #2) | Complete

👑 Chapter 21 👑

Mariah's POV

The look on his face was priceless. I love to play the innocent act, just to see that reaction in the end.

"I need to go to Rhonda's dress shop."

"Personally, I like the dress that you are wearing."

"I'm not buying a dress. I typically enjoy wearing clothes that I made myself."

I could tell that it was really bothering him that he didn't know what was going on. How did you tell a guy that you just met that he was going to meet your dad? We haven't even had time to form a relationship..... I just don't want him to read anything into the situation.

We pulled up to the shop and there he was sitting on a bench by the front door. He was still dress in his fatigues. I opened the door and began to run to him. When I got within arm's length, I threw my hands around his neck.

"It's great to see you Daddy," I said as he wrapped his arms around me.

"It's great to see you too baby girl, he said breaking the embrace."

He looked towards the Hummer and raised an eyebrow at me.

"Did you trade in your Jeep?"

"No..... I was kind of on a date an-"

"A date? Have I met this gentleman before?"

"Dad, I just met him-"

"It seem like it's time for us to meet."

He began stalking towards the hummer.
This is going to be the most awkward car ride that I have ever had to endure. I could just imagine the questions my dad was going to ask.

My dad was holding the back door open for me. I guess riding in the front seat is out of the question. Once I was inside, he closed my door and walked to the front.

"I'm sorry," I said to Key right before my father opened the door.

As soon as he closed the door I made introductions.

"Daddy, this is Markey, we met a few days ago. Markey, this is my father Sgt. Miles Abrams." With that I settled into my seat as the questioning began.

"So," my father said casually. A bit too casually. "What are your intentions towards my daughter, young man?"

Please dig my grave now.

"Can you bring us to 144 North Holloway?" It's great that my parent's house is right around the corner. That means the questioning can't go too far.

"Sure. To answer your question sir, I really like your daughter. We've only met a few days ago, and right now I just want to get to know her a bit better. I don't want to make her do anything that she doesn't want to do-"

"Like what? What would you not try to make my daughter do if he didn't want to?"

"I'm all about respecting boundaries. If she doesn't want to go on dates with me, be in a relationship with me, or anything... I won't try to make her."

"That's honorable. I guess-"

"Daddy, can you please stop? Tonight was going really good. So we went on a date tonight. You can't honestly expect me to never go on a date. That is cruel, as it would be if I never let you meet the person I decided to date. Besides mom is standing at the fence right now and she doesn't know you are home."

"Petite merde," my father always calls me a little shit when I play the 'mom' card.

"It's your fault. Everything I learned came from you."

"We will talk another time young man. Someday when my daughter is not around to intervene. Until then, goodnight."

"Goodnight sir," Markey replied as my father got out of the hummer.

"Since you had this nice date planned and we are already all dressed up, would you want to go to Red Lobster? It would be my treat. A way to say how sorry I am..."

"If you want to go to Red Lobster we can, but I believe that a lady should never have to pay for anything."

"That's absurd. Who is supposed to pay for my makeup and other things that I want?"

"The guy that she is with should get her whatever she pleases. And since you're mine, I'm going to be paying anytime we do something together."

"Ha, a flaw in your idea. Who pays for a lady's items when you are not around?"

"Me. In a case like this, I would simply give you my card or, if you're the stubborn type, give the card to Leya and tell her to buy what she sees fit for you."

I exited the hummer to get in the front seat. Once I was there, he picked up my hand and placed his lips upon it.

"You're going to be mine, why not just let me begin to spoil you now?"

I rolled my eyes and jerked my hand from his. "Just drive."

He laughed and looked out the window. My mom was looking at the hummer talking to my dad. I knew the exact moment my dad told her I was inside.
Her face lit up. It was time to go. That was the face she makes when talking about grandkids. Is one awkward family conversation not enough for these people?

"Drive, hurry, drive!!!"

That was one conversation that we would not be having tonight.