Thanks to Mike for beta! Please let me know what you think!
"When do you want to meet at the library? My last class ends at four." Alicia said. She was glad to have run into Will on her way to class because they needed to arrange at what time they would begin their study session. It was Friday and before, that had meant free night, but finals were approaching quickly and exceptions had to be made. Will opened his mouth to answer, but closed it suddenly, looking surprised. She felt a warm hand rest on her shoulder and turned around. She jumped the older man, hugging him tightly.
"Dad! Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I could have picked you up or something!"
"Alicia, sweetheart, you look well." He said freeing himself from her hug and kissing her on the cheek.
Noticing Will standing there, looking uncharacteristically uncomfortable, she stepped away from her father to introduce them.
"Dad, this is Will Gardner. Will, this is my father, Joseph Cavanaugh."
"Mr. Cavanaugh, it's a pleasure to meet you, sir." He stepped forward extending out his hand.
"You, too, son." Her father said shaking Will's hand. Alicia noticed her dad was being extremely formal, keeping his tone serious, not telling Will to call him Joe or even Joseph. He usually didn't behave like this towards her friends, only towards her… Oh, he thought they were dating. She was about to correct his assumption when she glanced at Will's very nervous expression. It wasn't a scene she was used to seeing; Will Gardner rattled. She liked it and decided to let it last a little longer.
"As much as I like to spend time with you, don't you have classes, dear?"
"Yes, we do, dad. Why don't we all get lunch afterwards?" She suggested putting her arm through Will's; a move that didn't go unnoticed by her father. She knew she was provoking a situation, but it was too much fun to ignore.
"Great, idea, honey." He agreed, kissing the top of her head.
"Uhum." Was all Will managed to answer before she started pulling him by the arm towards the building.
…
They met her father by the outdoor tables, already with lunch for the three of them. It was a beautiful day to eat outside. Will waited until both of them were seated before sitting down himself on the chair across from Alicia and her father. It was so cute seeing Will this nervous.
"So, Will, tell me about yourself. Where are you from?" Her fatheraskedplacing his elbows on the table and resting his chin on his crossed hands, giving Will his undivided attention.
"I, uh, I'm from Baltimore, sir. My family still lives there." He said swallowing hard.
"And how have you been treating my daughter?" Alicia had to control herself not to burst into laughter.
"I, uh, I…" She saw confusion fill Will's eyes. He was starting to see the misunderstanding. Alicia put her hand on top of his, as to prevent him from elaborating further. As much fun as she was having, enough was enough.
"Dad, Will and I aren't dating. We're just friends." She saw her father's eyes wander between her and Will suspiciously and then rest on their hands. She instantly removed it.
"Oh, sorry, my boy. My mistake."
Will sighed in relief. "That's right, Mr. Cavanaugh; Alicia and I are just friends."
"Please, call me Joe." He said in a much lighter tone."Then who is that boyfriend of yours?" He faced his daughter.
"His name is Peter and you will meet him tonight."
"What about you, Will? You have a girlfriend?" Will looked embarrassed, seeming unsure about how to answer.
"In fact, he has a lot of them, dad." Alicia jumped in, rolling her eyes.
"I see, huh. Well done, son." He said with a smirk and patted Will on the arm.
"Dad!" She shoved on his arm. "I'm trying to keep Will in line. Now you've ruined all my progress." She added in a playful tone. The table burst out in laughter.
Will and Joe Cavanaugh really got along. Of course, they spent half the lunch talking about baseball. As bored as she was with this, Alicia didn't change the subject. She knew her father was happy to have someone to talk about the sport he was a fan of, since she barely knew the rules and Owen wasn't really interested. They obviously mocked her lack of knowledge about baseball, her father joking about how disappointed he was in her because of it and Will promising him he would correct that. The conversation continued light and fun, until it was time for Will to go to his afternoon class. Alicia had decided to skip hers in order to spend some time with her dad.
"It was really nice to meet you, Mr. Cavanaugh." Will said as he stood up to leave.
"Likewise, but please call me Joe. Hey, Will, would you like to have dinner with us tonight?" he offered.
"Thanks, si- Joe. As much as I'd like to see you give Peter the Joe-Cavanaugh-boyfriend-treatment", an answer, that earned him the Alicia-death-stare from her, "I think it should be just the three of you."
"Nonsense, son. You bring a date, it will be fun. My treat."
"Dad." Alicia said, placing one hand on his wrist. "I want you to really know Peter." Her dad gave her an eye roll identical to hers. Will knew now where she'd gotten that from.
"I'll take a rain check, though. Next time you're in town."
"I'll be staying until Sunday. What about tomorrow night?"
"Perfect. See you then." He walked away in a hurry to get to class in time.
"Really nice boy."Her father said with a smile. Alicia was surprised. Her dad had always liked her friends, but never like this. Of course, he hadn't met many of them since the divorce, because she never invited friends over to his place. Not that he didn't allow her to, quite the opposite, he welcomed it, but she wanted to spend every minute she had there, with him, not with the friends she saw every day. "C'mon, I want you to show me the campus." He added getting up and pulling her along with him.
