Slow Hands

feelings to pressure him in any way.
    And that was why she’d demanded that he cash that stupid check. They had to keep their arrangement, if only to make sure that whatever happened afterward, happened because he felt as deeply for her as she did for him.
    “In love,” she whispered under her breath Tuesday afternoon, after daydreaming her way through an executive meeting led by her father.
    The ice queen had completely melted for a gigolo. Wouldn’t the tabloids adore that.
    “What did you say?” her father asked, obviously hearing her words, since only the two of them remained. The meeting had wrapped up a few minutes ago.
    “Oh, nothing,” she said. “Just thinking about the wedding.”
    “Of course, who isn’t?”
    Their father had been preening in his role of father of the bride, while also going over every detail with his keen businessman’s eye…as well as inviting anyone he felt like asking. He had, in fact, extended two verbal invitations this very day.
    “You know, Tabby’s going to kill you. If those two California businessmen come this weekend, you’re going to throw off her seating plans.”
    Her father frowned, thought about it, then winked. “I’ll blame Deborah.”
    Their father was no dummy. He had absolutely no illusions about how his oldest daughter felt about his young wife. Yet he still managed to keep his sense of humor about it.
    Tabby was right. He really did seem happy. So maybe he did genuinely love the woman.
    Good grief, she must be turning into a complete mush-bag believing in all this true love involving her family.
    “Do you really think our girl’s going to be happy with that stick-in-the-mud Bradley?” her father asked, putting words to a question Maddy had considered a few times herself.
    “She seems to be. She says he calms her.”
    Her father shrugged, not appearing convinced. “Calms her… or bores her?” Then he frowned. “I have heard rumors that he’s a very rigid, strict man.”
    Knowing her sister, he would not stay that way for long. “It’ll be fine. Besides, you know Tabby. She has no problem calling something off if it’s not going to work out. And she’s determined to go through with it.”
    He sighed, obviously remembering the money he’d paid for past engagements…and one lavish wedding. “So far.” The way he glanced at the documents in his hands did not disguise his overly innocent tone when he asked, “And what about you, sweetheart? Is that handsome, dark-haired fellow escorting you?”
    “Dad…”
    “You can’t blame me for being curious. He seems like a good sort.”
    “He is a good sort,” she admitted, hearing a completely unfamiliar soft, mushy tone in her own voice. “In fact, he’s wonderful.”
    Her father dropped his papers, reached for her and gave Maddy a quick hug, kissing her temple. “I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to hear you say that.” His eyes were suspiciously moist when he pulled away. “I want you to be happy, Madeline. And I’m thrilled to see you giving someone else a chance after what that vile bastard Oliver did.”
    One way to get her father riled up and send his blood pressure through the roof was to talk about her ex. “Forget him Dad, he’s nothing . And yes, Jake is escorting me this weekend.” Though she didn’t want to get her father’s hopes up about Maddy actually being involved in a real relationship—given Jake’s profession—she did like seeing the shadow of worry disappear from his eyes. “I think you’ll like him.”
    “I think I already do,” he murmured, touching her cheek with sweet tenderness. “He brought that beautiful smile back to your face and the warm sparkle in your eyes. I’ve missed seeing them in the past eighteen months.” He stared at her for a moment, as if memorizing her features, though he’d seen her nearly every day for her entire twenty-eight years. “You are so lovely, my dear,” he mumbled, that moisture appearing in his eyes again.
    Her father was behaving in a most un-Jason-Turner-like fashion today. Loving he may be—maudlin and sentimental he was not. This upcoming wedding must have really gotten him thinking, and worrying, about Maddy’s single state.
    “Love you, Dad.”
    “I love you, too.” And as quickly as his odd mood had come over him, he shook it off and pointed an index finger at her. “Now, don’t forget this evening. You know I’m counting on you to keep the peace.”
    Her usual role in the family.
    “I