“SO YOUR MOTHER tells me you met someone.” Peter Latham focused a piercing gaze on his daughter.

“That’s right.” Jessica stiffened, her fists clenched under the tablecloth.

He put his fork down. “Do you really think that’s a wise idea right now? You need to concentrate on your health and your career. Aren’t you focused on this promotion at work? Shouldn’t that be a priority? Besides, you don’t need the added stress of a long-distance relationship.”

Julia shot her husband a look. “Pete, why don’t you ease up on her? Your disapproval is only going to add more stress. She’s excited about this young man. Why shouldn’t she see where it might lead?”

Peter sighed. “Jessica, you need to be serious about your future. How much do you even know about this guy? Based on your track record, you haven’t always made the best choices.” He gave her another pointed look.

Jessica gasped. “Are you kidding me, Dad? You’re really going there again?” She tossed her napkin on the table. “I’m so sorry! I forgot I was in the presence of greatness here, the almighty Peter Latham who never made a poor choice in his life.” She flashed a sarcastic smile. “I only wish I could be so perfect.”

“Jessica, enough.” Julia said. She turned to her husband. “Peter, she has the right to live her own life and to spread her wings. There’s never a guarantee that a relationship will work out but shouldn’t she have the option to try?”

“Come on Daddy, he went to MIT. That should count for something, right? He’s a techie geek. If he landed a girl like Jessie, he should thank his lucky stars. I’m sure he’s a safe bet,” Haley piped in.

Jessica rolled her eyes. “Haley…”

“His level of education is inconsequential to me. What matters is you.” Peter pointed at Jessica. He sighed and his voice softened. “All I meant is, you’re dealing with a lot right now. Remember, you have all of us to lean on. We love you and want the best for you. Drew…” He clenched his teeth as he spoke the name. “Was a colossal mistake. I can’t watch you do that to yourself all over again.”

“Dad, that’s assuming I made yet another questionable choice. But you don’t know James.” Jessica’s voice cracked. “You’re making it seem like no man will ever want me because of this disease. Is that how you really feel? That nobody will be able to see past that, ever?”

“Of course he doesn’t mean that, Jessie.” Julia glared at Peter. “He’s just concerned. You deserve someone who will accept everything about you. Drew wasn’t the right guy. Your father just wants you to be careful and to protect yourself.”

“You know, this whole thing really sucks. My life is in complete upheaval and I finally meet someone I think is special. Why can’t you just be happy about that, Dad? Forget what might happen, for once! I might be stuck in a wheelchair one day or go blind. I’m tired of worrying about all that. It’s not helping me. If anything, it’ll make me deteriorate faster. I need to enjoy what I have now. I really wish you could feel the same way.” She stood up and grabbed her handbag. “I need a break. I’m going to the ladies’ room.”

Haley scampered after her. “Jess, why do you let him get to you?”

Jessica’s eyes filled with tears as she walked into the lounge. “Haley, were you just sitting at a different table? I don’t understand him. Doesn’t he know I have those fears every single day of my life? Doesn’t he care how hurtful his comments are?”

“You know Dad’s not really the diplomatic type.” Haley smoothed back Jessica’s hair. “Why are you letting him upset you like this? He’s only behaving this way because he’s worried about you.”

“Then, why can’t he be a normal father and hug me and tell me that he’s scared too?” Jessica snapped.

Haley shrugged. “Come on, it’s not his way. Never has been.” She spread a lip-gloss wand over her puckered lips. “Dad’s not going to change, Jessie. He’s always going to have an opinion and it will probably be contrary to yours. Deal with it.”

Jessica made a face. “Thanks. I’ve been trying to deal with it for the past six months.”

Haley shook her head. “No you haven’t. You’ve been fighting it, and where has that gotten you?” She winked. “Yep, nowhere! So suck it up and move on! Agree to disagree and be done with it.”

Jessica’s phone buzzed and she pulled it out.

Hey gorgeous, still okay for me to call later?

She smiled and shot off a reply. Definitely.

Haley peered over her shoulder. “Ooh, is that from James? Do you have a picture? Can I see what your geeky gamer boyfriend looks like?”

Jessica giggled. “He was just on the cover of Young Entrepreneur with his partner Chris.” She found the site and pulled it up. “That’s him on the left.”

“Whoa,” Haley breathed. “He’s gorgeous, Jessie. And his partner, holy crap! Is he single?”

Jessica nudged her. “Now you’re interested in geeky gamer guys?”

“When they look like this, I am!” Haley laughed. “Good for you. He’s hot. You’ve got my blessing!”

Jessica laughed and followed Haley out of the lounge. Peter was standing against the wall, a sheepish look on his face.

“I’ll go and keep Mom company.” Haley sauntered back into the dining room.

Jessica folded her arms. “So, Mom sent you back here to talk.”

Peter smiled. “That’s quite an understatement, but I didn’t come back on her orders, Jess.” He shook his head. “You know, when you were diagnosed a while back, I had a difficult time dealing with it. I’m your father, and yet, there was nothing I could do to protect you. I felt helpless. Still do. To know your child is suffering and not be able to make everything better is the absolute worst feeling I’ve ever had. And when Drew walked out on you, I just…I wanted to murder him for hurting you like that.”

“I know, Dad.”

He ran a hand through his hair. “I’m concerned about you starting another relationship. I won’t lie. I can’t bear to see you upset. I’m afraid of the effect it might have on your health. I’m sorry if I’ve been too hard on you. Above all else, you’re still my daughter. I figured if you focused on work, it would be therapeutic for you. Believe it or not, I’m trying to look out for your best interests.”

“I’m tired of being afraid, questioning every little thing I do so I can protect myself from being hurt again. I don’t want this diagnosis to hold me back anymore. I want to live. I’m scared of taking a risk with someone new but not enough to shy away from the chance to be really happy.” She smiled. “He’s a good guy, Dad. I’m not losing sight of what’s important and I’m not taking focus away from my career. I’m just trying to feel normal again. If I get hurt, I’ll deal with it. But I don’t want to be secluded anymore.”

“I know. And I know I can’t shield you from life, no matter how much I want to. I’m sorry if I hurt you. Just…be careful, okay?”

Jessica nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. “I will, Dad.” She hugged him, breathing in the familiar scent of his aftershave. “I love you.” Thank you for finally giving me what I needed.

JESSICA’S HEART LEAPT when the phone rang later that evening. “Hello?”

“Hey, beautiful.”

She shivered just hearing his voice. “I’ve been waiting for your call…” She toyed with a corner of her robe.

“Oh, yeah? Why is that? Did you have something to tell me?”

Jessica giggled at his playful tone. “Maybe, but first I was hoping you’d have something to tell me…like did you get the funding or what? How much longer are you going to make me wait?”

James laughed. “I wish I could tell you we did. But right now it looks like we’re in a holding pattern.”

“Did you fall apart on the golf course? Did you crumble under the pressure? Did he completely school you guys?”

“Not quite, but he didn’t commit to anything before he blew us off for some other meeting in San Francisco. He’s really not the type of guy I want to work with but Chris says he’s brilliant and I’m trying hard to be a team player.”

“How did you leave it with him?” Jessica flopped onto her stomach and kicked off her slippers.

“He said he’d have his people call our people.” James snorted. “Whatever. If it doesn’t work out, I’m not going to be disappointed. Emerson’s a cocky bastard. I don’t trust him and I don’t need his money. There are plenty of other investors out there, a lot who’ve shown interest in what we’re doing.”

It would be so awesome if Paul took his funding somewhere else. What would James think if he knew about that torrid encounter? She rubbed her temples, unable to stomach his certain reaction.

“Well, I believe in what you guys are doing and I know that you’ll get the funding you need.” Jessica hoped she sounded convincing, but she needed to steer the conversation away from Paul Emerson.

“Things work out the way they’re supposed to, right?”

“I’d really like to believe that,” she replied softly. “But—”

“But what? Is something wrong?” She cringed at the concern in his voice.

“It’s just that…I found out I’m not going to be back in California, James. My boss reassigned me. He pulled me off the project for some reason, and now…” She trailed off without knowing what to say next. Why do you have to live so far away? Why does everything have to be so damn hard?

“Jess, we both knew when you left it might be a while until we saw each other again. But I don’t care how long I have to wait. It took me a long time to realize what I’ve been missing and I’m not walking away.”

“Really?” Her eyes filled with relieved tears. “I didn’t want to put any pressure on you and telling you that I’m stuck here for the foreseeable future doesn’t sound too promising.”

“Agreed, I’d much rather have you out here with me. But I’ll wait because I want this. You really make me feel alive again when I didn’t think it was possible. I’m kind of amazed by that.”

You need to be honest with him. Tell him everything, Jess. Just do it! Don’t hide behind the excuse of work. He deserves to know the truth.

“You know, your honesty is really astonishing. It’s definitely not typical, at least based on my own personal experiences.” Jessica giggled.

“What could I possibly have to gain by holding back? This is going to be hard. We don’t have the luxury of hanging out every night to figure out if this is worth our time. If it’s too much for you, I get it. But I really like you and I want you to know that. I can tell you’re nervous but don’t let it be because you doubt my feelings.”

A chill ran through her as he spoke those words. You finally found a guy who isn’t afraid to take a risk. Don’t let him go, Jess.

“I really like you, too. And I am nervous, but I want to make this work.” I just can’t tell you the truth yet, James. I’m not ready to deal with the risk. Ignorance is bliss, right?

James laughed. “Come on, you’re just saying that so I keep sending you more jelly bean concoctions.”

Jessica popped a few stray jellybeans into her mouth. “Mmm, believe me, it’s tempting.” She snickered. “But I can think of lots of other things you can do to convince me to hang around, hopefully very soon.”