Man of My Dreams by Faith Andrews Read Free Book Online Page A

passionate kiss to see that Grace is the giggler and my father, hands crossed against his chest, is the throat clearer.
    “Um, Daddy, this is Declan?” My swollen lips curl into a frightened smile.
    Declan releases me and gulps back what I think must be fear. My dad is a big guy, intimidating even. And the look on his face right now is everything but amused. Oh God, what a great first impression. The rest of the week is sure to be determined by this one uncomfortable instance.
    “Hi, um, Sir. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Declan outstretches his hand to shake my dad’s. I’m shocked it’s not a trembling hand.
    After a painful moment of weighted stares and deafening silence my dad’s expression softens. Oh dear Lord, thank you. He wraps his massive hand around Declan’s, probably crushing bones, and definitely giving warning that those hands shouldn’t be groping his daughter in his presence. “Pleasure’s all mine, son. We’re happy you’re here, just try and refrain from…well, no more of the funny business while I’m in ear shot. Got it?”
    Grace is giggling again, but I’m mortified and I’m pretty sure Declan is too. I guess this could have gone a lot worse, so I’ll take what I can get, embarrassing warning and all.
    Grace pushes her way in between my dad and Declan, extending her own hand, but then bombarding him with a hug. “Don’t worry about Mr. P here. He’s a big Teddy bear. It’s Mrs. P you have to worry about,” she winks, patting my dad on his rather large arm.
    My dad lets out a deep, husky laugh, agreeing with her, “Grace’s right. Lucy’s quite the hard ass. I’m surprised she’s letting you stay with us, Declan. Maybe the woman’s finally lightening up in her old age.”
    “I can get a hotel room nearby if it will make everyone more comfortable. I wouldn’t want to intru…”
    My father cuts Declan off before he can finish, “Nonsense. Any man who makes my daughter this happy is welcome here. I was only busting chops anyway…she’s been baking all day. Can’t wait to feast her eyes on the guy who reigned in her rowdy teenage drama queen.”
    “Daaaad.” I huff out, rolling my eyes.
    “Welcome to the crazy, Declan.” Grace drapes one arm around my neck, attempting to do the same to Declan. When she realizes she can’t reach, she just ushers him along in-between the two of us.
    After dinner, which Grace snuck herself into, we sit in the living room, my dad surfing the sports channels, my mom still perfecting her kitchen to Spic and Span clean. Grace lingers, waiting for an invitation to the unmade plans of the evening.
    “Hey, Grace, you and Mia want to bring me to the local hot spot tonight?” I’m taken aback by Declan’s unselfish offering. Not only is he hot, but he’s sweet too. What a keeper.
    Grace looks thoroughly impressed, an appreciative grin plastered across her glowing face. “Really? You love birds wouldn’t mind me tagging along?”
    I notice my dad has lowered the volume a few notches on the TV, trying, but failing not to seem too interested in our conversation. My eyes dart back and forth between my best friend and my boyfriend, in awe of how well they’re getting on. I guess I was silly to worry about Grace feeling left out, or Declan being stuck in the middle of a Grace-Mia-BFF time warp.
    “So where will it be, ladies? What would you normally do if I weren’t here?”
    Grace starts to blurt out her obvious answer, “Mia and I spent most weekends at The Roo…”
    Is she flipping kidding? “How about something low key?” I interrupt. “There’s glow-in-the-dark bowling after eleven. You guys up for bowling?” I throw an evil glare her way. There is no way I’m stepping foot in The Room again after last night. For one thing, what would I do if Noah was there again? I almost want to kill Grace for being such an idiot.
    My father switches the channel again, settling on a baseball game caught in extra innings. I guess he’s done