“Would you like more salad, Merritt?” my mom asks as I watch my dad still glaring at him.

“No, thank you, ma’am.”

“What is it that you do again, son?”

“I’m in the oil and gas industry, sir.”

“Just like the last one,” he mutters under his breath.

“Excuse me?” Merritt says.

“Dad, could I talk to you alone, please?” I finally ask him throwing my napkin down, so aggravated with how he’s been treating Merritt. Heading down the hall, I storm into my parents’ office, and he follows, closing the door behind him. “What is your problem with him?”

“Nothing, I don’t even know him.”

“Well, you’re sure acting like you do. You’d treat a homeless person on the street better than you’re treating him.”

“I don’t like the way he stares at you, Quinn.”

“What are you talking about, Dad?”

“The look in his eye is a bit much. You two just met, right? And it’s as if you’re it for him.”

“Then be happy for me, Dad, please? I’ve finally found a good guy. Don’t make this hard on me.”

My dad steps closer to me, drawing my eyes to his and says, “Do you have any idea how hard that is for a father to do?”

“I understand that, Dad. Just try…for me…please.”

He kisses my forehead and then embraces me in a tight hug. As I hold on to him, I hope he can give Merritt a chance. My dad can be cold and closed off, but he is my father after all, and like Merritt said, we only get one.

* * *

“Well, your mom is great, but I officially think your dad hates me.”

“No, he doesn’t.” I glance at him as I drive him to the airport, so sad that his time in Denver has already come to an end. I really don’t want him to leave.

“Why didn’t you tell me your ex was in oil and gas?” he asks me.

“Because it wasn’t my place to tell and he’s a client…so I have to protect his privacy at all costs.”

“Even against me?”

“Especially you, silly. If you find out who he is, I’m sure you’ll send a pipe bomb to his doorstep.”

“Oohhh, that’s a good idea.”

Glaring at him, he leans over and kisses my cheek.

He rests his hand on my thigh, and I can feel myself already getting emotional as we near the airport. “Can we not talk about him anymore?”

“Of course, babe. I just always want to protect you.”

“I appreciate that, Merritt, so much. You’re so good to me.” Looking over at him, I miss him already. “Can I walk you in?” I ask him.

“If you want to, sure.”

“We could find a bathroom and have a quickie?” I offer with a smirk but can see he is actually considering it. Following the signs to the short-term parking, I take the first spot that I see. When I turn the car off, the tears prick the back of my eyes, and I fight them to stop. Merritt is oblivious as he kisses my neck, sucking and nipping on the skin and groping my breasts.

I try and fight back the emotions, but it’s hard, and a sob creeps out of me.

Alarmed, he pulls away, looking at me and once he can see that I’m visibly upset, he unlatches my seatbelt and pulls me over and onto his lap. Sitting comfortably in his hold, I stay in this moment for as long as I can.

“It’s only four days, and then I’ll see you Friday,” he tells me, trying to reassure me.

“It’s not that,” I say to him, choking back a sob.

“What is it then?” He brushes the hair out of my face waiting for me to tell him, and I hate to admit what I’m feeling, but he forces me to. “Tell me, please?”

“I’m just scared. This has all been so perfect, and I worry it won’t last.”

“What do you mean?”

“A guy like you can’t possibly be content long-term with a girl like me.”

He’s so confused, looking at me with a bewildered expression across his face. “Why would you think that?”

I shake my head, not wanting to elaborate any further. “Never mind.”

“No, don’t brush this off like that, tell me.”

“It’s my own insecurities getting the best of me, and it was stupid of me to let them out to begin with.”

“Nothing you ever say or feel is stupid. Don’t you understand? Talk to me.”

Gazing into his sexy eyes, he cups my cheek in the palm of his hand, his other arm still holding me tightly. “You need to understand how perfect you are in my eyes. I’ll never hurt you; that’s a promise you have to remember, okay?”

Listening to his words, they resonate deep inside of me. I’m not sure why I believe him, but I do.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For understanding me and reassuring me.”

“Of course. I wish I didn’t have to go.”

“It’s only for a few days,” I say, trying to believe the words myself. And I’m stunned to realize how quickly I’ve gone from not wanting to see him, to dreading him leaving. Now to just make it through the week.