Liam glanced at his watch, hoping her father’s surprise visit wouldn’t last long. He could stay quiet, but he wasn’t sure he hadn’t left some clue to his presence lying around the apartment. The longer her father stayed, the more chance there was that he would notice something different.
“No, I can’t stay. Can’t even sit down. I’ve got a meeting to attend tonight. Just wanted to stop by and give you this.”
Liam heard a crinkle—a paper bag, perhaps? And then Anne asked, “What is it?”
“It’s a new Step 1 study guide. I ordered it for you a few days ago and it arrived today. I’ve heard good things about it. Wasn’t sure you’d think to order it for yourself.”
“Gosh, it’s thick. Must have been expensive. Let me reimburse you for it.”
“Not necessary. You know I want to do whatever I can to help you. Pay close attention to the pharmacology sections. And physiology, of course. A good deal of the Step 1 exam will come from those two sections, though you don’t want to neglect any of the others.”
“I know, Dad. We’ve talked about this. Thank you for the book. I’ll start working through it the first chance I get.”
“Good. Let me know if you have any questions.”
“I will. Are you sure I can’t get you anything? A cup of coffee?”
“No, I really have to go. Glad to see you’re eating well. Your mother worries about your diet.”
“She shouldn’t. I’m taking care of myself.”
“How are your classes going? Ready for the test this Friday?”
“I’ve been reviewing the material we’ve gotten so far. My study group is meeting this evening to go over today’s lectures. We’ll be meeting every evening this week to study the new material as we get it.”
“Good. Glad you’re keeping up.”
“I am.” Liam heard the door open. “Thanks again for the study guide, Dad. It was sweet of you to think of me, though you didn’t have to order it. I would have done so for myself if you’d mentioned it to me.”
“I can give my girl a gift occasionally, can’t I?” her father asked with an indulgence that set Liam’s teeth on edge.
He waited until he heard the murmured goodbyes and the sound of the door closing before he risked peeking out to make sure Easton was gone. Anne stood in the center of the room, holding a heavy-looking paperback tome in both hands. The stress was back in her face, he saw immediately. The rosy color had faded from her cheeks, leaving her looking wan and drained. It annoyed him to see the results of even that brief of an encounter with her father.
“That,” she said on a long exhale, “was close.”
“You think we pulled it off? He really believes you were here alone?”
Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she nodded in relief. “Oh, yes. He’d have said something if he’d noticed anything out of the ordinary.”
“I thought you said your family never drops by unannounced.”
“They don’t, usually. That was the first time.”
She still looked too tense, despite her confidence that they’d gotten away with their subterfuge. “You should finish your dinner.”
She shook her head. “I’ve had enough. I’d better go join my study group. We have a lot of material to cover tonight.”
She set the heavy study guide on the coffee table, looking down at it as if she were wondering how she would ever get through all of those pages in addition to the stacks of books, notes and guides already scattered through the apartment.
“Some gift,” he grumbled. “He could have brought flowers or candy, but he brought more work for you to do instead. Real thoughtful of him.”
He knew she’d taken the criticism wrong when her chin lifted defensively. “Actually, it was a nice gesture. This guide probably cost close to a hundred dollars. And it should be very valuable in helping me study for the Step 1 exam.”
“Why do you always make excuses for him, when all he does in return is pressure you into becoming what he wants you to be?” He honestly didn’t understand her loyalty to her domineering father. How could she even pretend to appreciate the gesture when the stress of the drop-in visit was still evident in the lines around her mouth?
She looked away. “I’m not making excuses for him.”
“Then why don’t you tell him to butt out and let you worry about your own study schedule?”