J

Without stage makeup and black leather clothing he looked like an older version of Lisa. I had to move quickly to keep up with Lisa who had my hand clasped tightly in hers as whe walked swiftly outside away from the other guests in the bar. Her father led the way. I wasn't sure if Lisa was happy to see him or not. The only interaction they'd had was Lisa nodding her head toward the door. She obviously hadn't wanted this introduction to have an audience.

Dean Manoban, the world's most notorious drummer, stopped several times on our way out to autograph items shoved in front of him. It wasn't just females either. One guy had even stepped forward and asked him to sign a bar napkin. The threatening gleam in Lisa's eyes as she tried to get her father out of the bar kept the rest of them away. Instead, they all remained silent and watched as Slacker Demon's drummer headed out the door.

The night breeze was cold now. I immediately shivered and Lisa stopped and wrapped her arms around me. "We need to go to the house. I'm not going to make her stand out here and talk. It's too damn cold," Lisa told her father.

Dean Manoban stopped walking and looked back at me. His eyes slowly took me in and I could see the moment he noticed my stomach.

"Dean, this is Jennie Kim. My fiancée. Jennie, this is Dean Manoban, my father," Lisa said in a tight voice. She didn't sound like she wanted to make this introduction.

"No one told me I was gonna be a grandpa," he said in a slow drawl. I wasn't sure how he felt about that because there was no emotion on his face.

"I've been busy," was the only response Lisa gave him. That was odd. Was she embarrassed to tell her dad? I felt sick at my stomach and started to ease away from her.

Her arms tightened their hold on me and I could feel her attention focused completely on me. "What's wrong?" she asked, turning her back on her father and bending down so she could look me directly in the eyes.

I didn't want to have this conversation in front of Dean. I could feel her dad's eyes on both of us. I shook my head but my body was still tense. I couldn't help that. The fact she hadn't told her father was bothering me.

"I'm taking her to the car. I'll meet you back at the house," Lisa said over her shoulder but kept her eyes focused on mine. I dropped my gaze, wishing I hadn't reacted now. I was making a scene. Dean was going to think I was a whiny princess.

I opened my mouth to argue when Lisa wrapped her arm around my waist and led me to the Range Rover. She was anxious. She didn't like me upset, which was something we needed to work on. I would get upset. She couldn't control that.

Lisa opened the passenger side door and lifted me up and put me in like I was five. When she thought I was upset she started treating me like a child. We really needed to work on that too.

She didn't even have her door closed before she looked at me. "Something is wrong. I need to know so I can fix it."

I sighed and sank back against the seat. I might as well get this over with even if I was being a little touchy. "Why haven't you told your dad about the baby?"

Lisa reached over and closed her hand over mine. "That's what's wrong? You're upset because I haven't told Dean?"

I nodded and kept my eyes on our hands resting on my leg.

"I haven't taken time to track him down. And I knew he'd show up when I told him because he'd want to meet you. I wasn't ready for company just yet. Especially him."

I was being silly. Lately my emotions were on high alert. I lifted my eyes and met her concerned gaze. "Okay. I understand that."

Lisa leaned over and kissed my lips gently. "I'm sorry I upset you," she whispered before pressing one more kiss to the corner of my lips and leaning back. It was moments like these that I became a swoony mess.

"He's here now. So, let's go see what brought him here before my mother finds out. I want you to myself. I don't like having my fucked up family around."

Lisa didn't let go of my hand as she cranked the engine and pulled out onto the road. I laid my head against the seat and turned it so I could look at her.

"Why do you think he's here?" I asked

Lisa glanced over at me. "I was hoping he was here to meet you. But I don't think he knew about you yet. He looked surprised. So that means this very well could be about Rosé."

Rosé. Her sister hadn't been back to Rosemary since her release from the hospital. Lisa didn't seem to be worried about it but she loved her sister. I hated being the reason Rosé stayed away. Now that she knew who her real father was and that I had never taken anything away from her I'd hoped we could be friends for Lisa's sake. It didn't look like that was going to happen.

"Do you think Rosé has gone to see Kiro?" I asked.

Lisa shrugged. "I don't know. She seems different since her accident."

The car came to a stop outside the large beach house that had been purchased for Lisa by her father when she was just a kid. Lisa squeezed my hand. "I love you, Jennie. I'm so damn proud of the fact you're going to be the mother of my son. I want everyone to know. Never doubt that."

My eyes stung with tears and I nodded before picking up her hand and kissing it. "I get emotional. You need to ignore me when I get like that."

Lisa shook her head. "I can't ignore you. I want to reassure you."

The passenger side door opened and I jerked my head around to see Dean Manoban standing there with a smirk on his face. "Let the woman out of the car, Lisa. It's time I met the mother of my grandchild."

Dean held out his hand and I put mine in his not sure what else to do. His long fingers wrapped around my hand and he helped me down out of the Range Rover. Lisa was there immediately taking my hand from her father's and pulling me over to her. Her dad chuckled and shook his head. "I'll be damned."

"Let's get inside," Lisa replied.


L

Dean walked over to the sofa and sank down on it before pulling out a pack of cigarettes. Shit. He was not what I wanted to deal with right now. "Can't smoke in here or around Jennie, for that matter. It's bad for the baby."

Dean cocked one of his eyebrows. "Hell girl, I'm pretty damn sure your momma smoked cigarettes when she was pregnant with you."

I had no doubt that she did that and more. No way I'd expose my kid to that stuff. "Doesn't mean it's healthy. Jennie is nothing like Mom."

At the mention of her name, Jennie walked into the living room carrying two beers. I hadn't asked her to get them. I didn't like to see her wait on anyone. But she did it anyway. I walked over and met her halfway. "You didn't have to get these," I told her taking them from her as I placed a kiss on her temple.

"I know. But we have a guest. I want him to feel welcome."

The sweet smile on her lips made it hard to concentrate on my dad. I wanted to take her up to the bedroom.

"Bring me the beer girl, and stop being so damn overbearing. You're gonna smother your girl. Don't know what the fuck has gotten into you."

A small bubble of laughter came from Jennie's lips and I decided since he'd made her laugh I'd overlook his words.

"Here," I said, shoving the beer his way. "Now, why're you here?"

"What? Can't a dad come see his daughter when he wants to?"

"It's Rosemary. You never come here."

Dean shrugged and took a swig of his beer, then threw an arm over the back of the sofa and propped both his feet up on the coffee table. "Your sister is a crazy bitch. She's fucking insane. We need help."

It was about Rosé. I'd thought it might be. I sat down on the chair across from him and held my hand out to Jennie. I didn't want her standing and I wanted her to feel welcome in our conversation. She walked over to me and I pulled her down to sit on my lap. "What has she done?" I asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

Dean took another long swig of his beer. Then ran his hand through his long shaggy hair. "Question is, what hasn't she done. Damn girl is raising hell. We can't get any rest. We finished up the tour two weeks ago and came back to LA to enjoy some down time. She showed up and all hell broke loose. No one is getting any down time. Kiro doesn't know what to do with her. We need some help."

I knew Rosé had been quiet but I hadn't expected her to go to LA and search Kiro out. She knew my dad and Kiro shared a Beverly Hills mansion. They'd been living in it when they weren't touring all my life. Kiro had been married a couple times and he'd moved out during those times but after each divorce he came back. It was known as the Slacker Demon mansion. No one was ever really sure which band members were in residence at any given time.

"Is she staying at the mansion?" I asked.

Dad raised his eyebrows. "Do I look like an idiot to you? Fuck no, she isn't staying there. She just shows up all the damn time. She's making demands and shit. Kiro has tried to smooth things over and form some sort of relationship with her but she won't let him. She won't listen and she... well, she found out he has another daughter. Didn't go over well."

Apparently she didn't know about Kiro's son yet but then Mase never came around.

"She must be so upset," Jennie said with actual concern in her voice. How Jennie could feel any sympathy for Rosé I didn't know. "You need to go see her. Help her deal with this and see if you can't help her and Kiro form some sort of relationship."

I started to disagree but Dean cut me off.

"I like her already. That's exactly what you need to do. Your room is empty and you know it's comfortable. Bring Jennie with you and that'll give me a chance to get to know her and spend time with you as well. If you don't Kiro may end up killing Rosé."

Jennie squeezed my shoulder. "I think we should go. Rosé needs you."

I tilted my head back and looked up at her. "Why do you care what Rosé needs?" I asked in awe.

"Because you love her," was her simple reply.

"This one's a keeper. Now, enough about Rosé. I wanna know when this baby is due and when the wedding is," Dean said with a cheerful tone. Much different from the one he was using when he spoke about Rosé.

Jennie looked over at my dad and smiled. "I'm twenty weeks pregnant. The baby isn't due until mid-April. As for the wedding we were going to get married in two weeks but I don't want this to be weighing on Lisa. I'd rather put the wedding off and let her deal with family issues first. We haven't mailed out invitations or anything. So changing the date isn't a problem."

"No. I'm not waiting any longer to change your last name," I argued but Jennie put her finger over my lips.

"Shhh. I don't want to argue about this. I can't enjoy our wedding knowing you have family issues to deal with. Let's enjoy Thanksgiving with our friends like we'd planned and then go to LA and deal with Rosé. Once you have all that behind you then we can focus on our wedding."

I didn't want to wait. I hated the idea of her still being Jennie Kim while our baby grew inside her. I wanted her to have my name and for the world to know I wanted her and my baby. But the determined gleam in her eyes told me I wasn't going to win this argument.

"I just want you to be happy," I finally replied.

Jennie kissed the tip of my nose. "I know you do. One of the many reasons I love you."

"If you're waiting until after Thanksgiving to head back to LA and deal with that sister of yours then so am I. Besides, it's been years since I spent a Thanksgiving with you," my dad announced.

I wasn't sure how I felt about that.

"We would love to have you here, Mr. Manoban," Jennie informed him, smiling brightly like she really meant it. Fuck. I was gonna have to let this happen.

"Just call me Dean, sweetheart. We're already family."

The pleased look in her eyes made me smile. Maybe having my dad around for Thanksgiving wouldn't be so bad after all. If he could make Jennie smile then I'd deal with it.


J

Talking about Thanksgiving had reminded me of my mother. This would be my first holiday without her. The more that sank in the harder it became to breathe. I forced a smile and made my excuses before rushing upstairs to take a shower. Lisa needed some alone time with her dad anyway.

I let the tears I'd held back fall freely as I undressed and stepped into the shower. The warm water rained down over me as a sob broke free. Last year I had cooked our Thanksgiving meal and we had eaten it together in the dining room. No friends or family. Just the two of us. I'd cried that night too. Because deep down I'd known it was my last Thanksgiving with my mother. The memories of years gone by when Yeri and Dad had been there were bittersweet. My heart ached for all we'd lost. I hadn't thought anything could hurt as badly but I knew now that I was wrong.

Facing the holidays without my mom was going to be hard. She loved Thanksgiving and Christmas. We would always start decorating the house for Christmas on Thanksgiving Day. Then we'd sit down and watch White Christmas together that evening while we ate leftover turkey and sweet potato casserole. It had been our tradition. Even after we lost Yeri and Dad had left us.

This year everything would be different. Knowing Lisa would be with me and that I was starting a new family of my own eased the ache. I just wished my mother were here to see me this happy.

The door opened and I spun around to see Lisa walk into the bathroom. She was frowning. She stopped and she studied me a moment before pulling her shirt off and throwing it onto the marble floor. Then she unsnapped her jeans and stepped out of them and her boxer briefs. I watched as she stepped into the shower.

"Why're you crying?" she asked, cupping my face in her hands. I knew the shower had washed away my tears but my eyes must still be red.

I shook my head and smiled at her. I didn't want to worry her with my emotions.

"I heard you when I opened the door to the bedroom. I need to know why, baby."

I sighed and laid my head against her chest then wrapped my arms around her waist. I had lost a lot but God had made up for that by giving me Lisa. I needed to remember just how blessed I really was. "The fact this is my first Thanksgiving without my mom kind of hit me," I admitted.

Lisa's arms tightened around me. "I'm sorry, baby," she whispered into my hair as she held me.

"Me too. I wish you could have met her, I mean, now that you're older. I wish she could've seen you all grown up."

"I wish I could have to. I'm sure she was as perfect as you are."

Smiling, I wanted to disagree. I was nowhere near as perfect as my mother. She was one of those special people that the world doesn't see often.

"If my dad being here is going to be hard on you I'll send him away. I want to make this a good memory for you. Anything I can do to help you just tell me and I'll do it."

Tears trickled freely down my face again. Stupid pregnancy hormones made me a leaking fountain lately. "Having you with me makes it all better. Just talking about it made it sink in. Momma loved Thanksgiving. I knew last year was the last one we'd spend together. The entire day I did everything I could to make it special for her. And me. I knew I'd need that memory."

Lisa rubbed small circles on my back and held me in silence. We stood there while the water ran over us for several minutes. Finally she pulled back enough to look down at me. "Can I bathe you?" She asked.

I nodded, unsure what she meant. She reached for one of the clean washcloths stacked up outside the shower and picked up one of my bottles of body wash. Then she began washing my back and shoulders. She picked up each of my arms as if I were a child and washed them thoroughly. I stood there and watched her as she concentrated on cleaning every inch of my body. She didn't make it sexual which surprised me. Instead, it was more sweet and innocent than anything else we'd ever done. Her hand didn't linger as she washed between my legs. She only pressed her lips to my stomach once as she knelt in front of me and washed my legs and feet.

Once she was finished she stood up and began rinsing my body with her hands. Each touch seemed almost reverent. As if she were worshiping me instead of washing me. When my body was clean she moved to my hair. I closed my eyes as her hands massaged my scalp. My knees went a little weak from the pleasure of it. Lisa quickly rinsed the shampoo from my hair and then did my conditioning, giving it just as much attention before running my hair under the clean water again.

My body was relaxed from the pampering. I was almost sluggish. Lisa turned off the water and reached for two large towels. One she wrapped in my hair and the other one she wrapped around my body. Then she picked me up, carried me to the bed, and laid me down.

"Just rest. I'll be right back," she whispered before kissing my forehead and walking back to the bathroom. The view of her naked ass was tempting and I wanted to stay awake. Having her touch me that way had turned me on even if that hadn't been her intention. I tried to wait on her but my eyes grew heavy and I faded away.


I snuggled deeper into the warmth. It smelled of sunshine and ocean air. Sighing contentedly, I rubbed my cheek against the comforting warmth. It chuckled.

My eyes opened and Lisa's bare chest was pressed up against my face. Smiling, I kissed it and peered up at her. The amused smirk on her lips only made me giggle.

"You're like a little kitten in the mornings," she said with a deep husky voice. She must have just woken up too.

"If you didn't feel so good I wouldn't be searching you out to rub up against you in my sleep."

Lisa winked. "Then I'm glad I feel good because your sweet ass isn't going to be rubbing against anyone else. I'd have to kill someone."

I loved this woman.

"I'm sorry I fell asleep so quickly last night."

Lisa shook her head. "Don't be. I love knowing I relaxed you and it was easy for you to fall asleep. I don't like seeing you sad."

I loved this woman a whole damn lot.

Stretching against her, I slipped both hands behind her neck and pressed my body against hers. I squeezed my legs from the tingle of anticipation when her erection brushed my upper thigh. I needed her this morning. After the sweet moment last night I needed to feel completely connected now.

"Make love to me," I whispered tucking my head in the crook between her neck and shoulder.

"My pleasure," she murmured and slipped her hand in between my thighs. She lifted one of my legs up and rested it on her hip. I was wide open and the exposed feeling excited me. Her fingers grazed the inside of my thighs, teasing me by barely brushing at my swollen needy entrance. I whimpered, hoping to hurry her up but she would not be pressured. Instead, it seemed to make her worse. Her rough fingertips traced patterns from my knees up to the very top of my thigh then back again.

I was positive that her play had caused me to get embarrassingly wet. "Lisa, please."

"Please what, sweet Jennie. What do you want me to do?"

I'd told her what I wanted already. Apparently, she wanted to hear more. Lisa and her naughty talk always excited me. "Touch me."

"I am touching you," she replied.

"Touch me higher," I begged. She wanted me to talk dirty. I was going to tease her too.

She ran her finger in in the crease of my thigh and I gripped her arms tightly and trembled. She was so close. "Here?" she asked.

I shifted so that her finger slipped closer. She started to move her hand away and stopped. "Fuck," She moaned sliding her finger into me slowly. "So wet. I can't tease you when you're already so wet," she whispered.

I cried out as she gently ran her fingertip over my clit. She had me spread open and having her hands touching me only made me crazier. I wanted more.

"My sweet girl was so ready for me," She said moving two fingers inside me and pressing against my g spot.

The loud cry of pleasure that ripped out of me was more than she could handle. She grabbed my waist and positioned me over her before slowly sinking me down over her cock. "Damn, how'd it get tighter?" She growled, squeezing my hips and rocking against me as I sat down on her taking every inch inside me. This was what I'd wanted. To be full. Of Lisa.


L

Jennie wouldn't agree to my idea of staying up in our room naked all day. She insisted we get dressed and visit with Dean. I was of the opinion he'd understand my desire to stay locked away with Jennie but she disagreed. Just proved what little she knew of my father's rock star life.

I left her drying her hair and headed downstairs to start fixing breakfast. She hadn't eaten much last night at the party then she'd come home and gone to sleep before she could eat.

Dean was standing in my kitchen pulling out items from the fridge and setting them on the island. I stood there and watched him a moment trying to figure out what he was doing. He got the milk out then paused and looked over at me.

"Good morning. I wasn't sure you'd be coming out of the bedroom today the way you'd chased her upstairs last night when she left. I was going to tempt you both with breakfast."

I leaned back against the counter and crossed my arms over my chest. "I tried to keep her upstairs with me. She insisted we come visit with you," I explained.

Dean chuckled. "Like father, like daughter."

"I'm nothing like you. The woman I got pregnant happens to be my heart. I'll marry her and spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to make her smile."

Dean closed the fridge door and studied me. I could tell he hadn't expected words like those to come out of my mouth. The last time I'd spent time with him I'd had a different girl in my bed every night.

"What makes her different? You've been with a lot of girls. Why her?" If he wasn't honestly curious I'd have been pissed. But he only knew me before Jennie.

"When she walked into my house the first time and I laid eyes on her I was attracted to her. That part was easy. But then I got to know her. She wasn't like any other girl I'd ever known. She was so determined when she should have been beat down. Her life had given her shit and she was fighting to live. She wasn't going to back down or give up. I admired her. Then I got a taste and I was sunk. She's everything I want to be."

A slow smile spread across Dean's face and then he nodded. "Well, alright then. Guess you know more about life than your old man 'cause ain't no woman ever made me feel like that. I'm glad you found it. That's rare, so hang on tight. It won't come around again."

I never intended to let go. Dean looked around the room. "Where's the mixing bowls? I'm gonna make the momma of my grandkid some scrambled eggs."

My heart squeezed. "Second shelf to the left of the stove."

"You get the bacon going. She needs protein," he said as he got down a bowl.

I wasn't going to argue. I always made sure she ate properly in the mornings. "She will want a waffle, too. I have a waffle iron for those," I told him.

Dean nodded. "Good to know you've been taking care of her."

We worked in silence for a few minutes. I wanted to ask about Rosé and Kiro but I didn't want Jennie to walk down here and have that be the first thing she heard. I liked her to enjoy her breakfast. Speaking about Rosé was never a pleasant experience.

"Guess you know that V's been seeing Rosé," Dean said as he whisked the eggs.

I froze. What? Had I just heard him correctly?

"I warned him she was as crazy as her momma and he needed to run like hell. I know she's your sister and you love her but the girl is poison. Boy like V don't need that. He's always been a good kid. Hate to see her chew him up and spit him out."

I still couldn't find words. V and Rosé... how the fuck had that happened? If anyone knew how unstable Rosé was then it was V. He'd grown up watching the shit she'd been handed from my mom and the father who never acknowledged her.

"V tried to come talk to her but she ran off with some guy she'd met at a club right in front of him. I think he's done. Washed his hands of that. I hope so."

I finally put down the waffle mix I'd been standing there holding as I stared at my dad like he was speaking gibberish. "V... was with Rosé?" The disbelief in my voice got Dean's attention. He turned to look back at me.

"Yeah. Guessing from the look on your face you didn't know. Been dating for awhile from what I can tell. Poor guy looked really into her. But she's just like her momma. He's lucky to get out now."

"How?"

Dean shook his head. "I wondered the same thing."

I couldn't talk about this with him. I walked out of the kitchen and toward the double doors leading out onto the back porch. Once I was outside I pulled out my phone and dialed V's number. We told each other everything. Yet he'd been dating my sister and never said a word.

"Hey, bro." His chipper voice greeted me.

"I know about Rosé," was all I said.

V let out a weary sigh. "I was hoping I'd be able to tell you about it. I wanted to. I just... she didn't want me to and then she had the accident. Then, well... it's over. She's made it very clear that she doesn't want anything serious with me. I can't deal with her sleeping around. It wasn't just a booty call. I'd have never done that with Rosé. You know that. I really liked her. Maybe I cared too much."

I sank down onto the chair beside me and stared out at the ocean. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted to. She begged me not to. I cared about her, Lisa. I wanted it to work. I did what she asked. But I felt like shit lying to you about it."

He had cared about Rosé? Wow.

"Dean says you're done with her now."

"She's done with me. I can't play her games."

I loved my sister but I also loved V. She'd break his heart. She wasn't good for him. My dad was right. V needed someone that could love him. I wasn't sure Rosé could. Relief that he was ending it with her wasn't because I didn't want them together but because I hated to think of Rosé doing to V what my mother did in her past to the men who loved her. V deserved more than that.

"She can't make anyone happy until she finds a way to be happy. Right now she has so much resentment in her that she will make miserable anyone who gets too close. Don't let her do that to you."

V was quiet for a minute. "She isn't always a bitch. Part of me was falling in love with her for a moment. Then she ended that by reminding me how hard she would be to love."

"I love my sister. But you deserve more. Rosé isn't whole. Not really. She has too many issues."

"Thank you. I thought this conversation would go a lot differently. I didn't expect you to be worried about me."

"You're my brother. I want what's best for you too. I want you to have what I have. Go find that."

V let out a laugh that sounded like he didn't think it was possible. "That's a pretty high order to fill."


J

I stepped into the kitchen to see Dean Manoban frying bacon and whistling the tune to one of Slacker Demon's number one hits. I couldn't keep the smile off my face. He turned his head and his gaze met mine. The look on his face wasn't one I ever expected to see on a famous rock star. He reminded me of a father.

"Good morning, sunshine. I'm making you and that grandbaby of mine some breakfast. I did have help but I'm afraid I told Lisa something she didn't know and shocked her a bit. She went outside to make a phone call. She'll be back in a few minutes," he said as he forked the bacon and laid each slice out on a paper towel lined plate.

I glanced past him to the windows to see Lisa talking on the phone intently. "What did you tell her?" I asked, wondering if I should go check on her.

"V and Rosé have had a thing for awhile now. Rosé finally screwed things up for the last time and it's over. Lisa didn't know about it."

My mouth dropped open as his words sank in. V and Rosé? Really?

"Shocked the hell outta me too. Didn't think that boy was stupid. Guess he learned the hard way just 'cause it's pretty don't mean it shines."

I looked back outside at Lisa. She was standing up and slipping her phone into her pocket. I wondered if she'd called Rosé or V.

"Why don't you go take a seat over at the table and let me fix you a plate? Do you like orange juice or milk or both? The baby probably needs a little of both."

I shifted my attention back to Dean as he stood there holding a plate with bacon eggs and a waffle on it. Had he just cooked all that for me?

"Wow that looks delicious," I replied.

"It is. I make a killer breakfast. Now go sit down and let me feed you."

I bit my bottom lip to keep from grinning like an idiot and took a seat at the table. Lisa opened the door and walked back inside just as her father placed a plate of food in front of me.

"Don't worry about your pretty little fiancée. I got her all fixed up."

Lisa smirked at her father then headed over to me. She bent down and placed a kiss on top of my head. "You look beautiful," she whispered.

"Are you okay?" I asked, not able to hold back my concern. I needed to know she wasn't upset about V and Rosé.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I think V has wised up and it'll all be okay."

I frowned. V wised up? What did she mean?

"We'll talk about it later. Eat," she said with a wink and walked over to fix herself a plate.

Dean put a glass of orange juice and a glass of milk in front of me, then took the seat to my left. He was holding a large cup of coffee in his hands but that was all.

"You aren't going to eat?" I asked as he drank from the steaming cup.

He shook his head. "Nope. I just drink my breakfast."

Lisa put her plate down on the other side of me. She had piled her plate with everything that was left over. Apparently, she was hungry. "Sorry I didn't get to help you finish it but thanks for cooking."

"Glad I got to. It's been awhile since I cooked you breakfast," Dean replied.

I liked seeing Lisa with her dad. They appeared normal. I was getting to be a part of her family this way. I doubted I'd ever get this chance with her mom and sister but her dad seemed to accept me.

"Now that I know you can cook I'm going to volunteer you to help me cook our Thanksgiving dinner," I informed Dean.

Dean grinned. "I would love to. It's been awhile since I've had one of those too. I'm looking forward to spending it with the two of you."

The pleased smile on Lisa's face warmed me. "I'm going to go to the grocery store today and buy the rest of our supplies."

"I'll go with you," Lisa replied.

"No you will stay here with your dad. Y'all could go play a round of golf or something. I can pick up what we need by myself. Besides, I think Jisoo wants to tag along. She's making the corn casserole and pumpkin pie for tomorrow."

"I refuse to fucking golf. But spending the day catching up sounds good. We could go over to Destin and catch the new Bond movie. I've been wanting to see it. I'll even take you to lunch."

I could tell by the look on Lisa's face that didn't want to go and I knew it was only because she hated to get that far away from me. I reached over and squeezed her hand tightly. "That sounds like fun. Y'all go do that and I'll have time to spend with Jisoo."

Lisa nodded but I could tell she hadn't wanted to give in.

I took a bite of my eggs and smiled over at Dean. "These are so good. Thank you."

He beamed at me. I was glad he was here. This holiday we wouldn't be completely without our parents.


"Please, Jennie. I am begging you, please." Jisoo stood in front of me bouncing on her toes with her hands folded in front of her like she praying. The pleading look in her eyes almost made me laugh.

"Didn't you grow up here? How is it that you've never met Dean before now?" I asked as I took a grocery bag out of the back of the Range Rover.

"I'm the poor folks. You know that! I work for the rich; I don't socialize with them. Come on, I know I'll see him tomorrow but I want to meet him now. While Bobby isn't here to see me swoon."

I made a gagging noise. "He's too old to swoon over. Gross!"

"You are kidding me, right? Dean Manoban's last girlfriend was like twenty-one. Someone like him never gets too old to swoon over."

I disagreed. Dean was close to fifty years old. He had to be. Why was he dating someone younger than his daughter? That was disgusting. "You planning on leaving Bobby to become a notch on Dean's bed post?" I teased and headed for the front door of the beach house.

"Of course not. I just wanna," she stopped and grabbed a bag then scrambled up the steps behind me. "I just wanna meet him. See those eyes and breathe the same air."

This time I did laugh. I couldn't help it. She was cracking me up. "He's a normal guy. He's also Lisa's dad and I doubt Lisa will want you coming into the house acting like a complete and total fangirl. So you need to get it together before Thanksgiving dinner. It's not a place for you to be swooning over my future father-in-law."

"That is just crazy. You know that, right? Just flipping crazy! Having Dean fucking Manoban as your father-in-law. Women around the world want to fuck the man. You're gonna be his family."

I cringed and unlocked the door to the house. Sometimes Jisoo could be too much. This was one of those times. "Let's unload the groceries and talk about tomorrow's menu. Then I can tell you all about how I'm leaving this weekend to head to LA with Lisa and her father. Rosé is causing problems with Kiro."

Jisoo hurried inside after me. "You're leaving? This weekend? You can't leave me! Not even for Dean! No!"

At least I had her mind off of humping Dean. I put my bag down on the counter and turned to look at her. "Lisa needs to go and so I'm going with her. Besides, if I don't go, I don't think she will. Her dad asked her to help deal with Rosé."

Jisoo pouted and sank down on the bar stool across from me. "This sucks. I don't want you to leave."

The more I thought about it the more I didn't want to leave either. But I wasn't letting Lisa go to LA without me. I would miss her like crazy. This would also be a chance for me to get to know her dad. We were about to have our own family and I wanted her dad to be a part of that. I hadn't heard from my dad but once since he came by to tell me that he wasn't Rosé's father. He had called me a week after he left to tell me he was heading to the Florida Keys to find a boat and live on it. He wanted to be alone. He also told me he loved me.

I tried not to think of my dad much. It only made me sad. I should have told him I wanted him in my life but I hadn't. I'd let him go. Now, looking at the holidays without him I felt sad. I had found my home but he had lost his.

"Have you heard anything I just said?" Jisoo asked breaking into my thoughts.

I glanced over at her. "I'm sorry. I was thinking about my dad," I admitted. Then I grabbed the can of green beans and started putting it away.

"Oh. You thinking of inviting him?"

It was too late now. I wasn't sure Lisa would be okay with it if I did. We hadn't discussed my dad that much. I shook my head and turned to get the box of powdered sugar. "No. Just thinking about him in general. Wondering what he's doing," I replied.