The Agreement (Unrestrained 1)

He saw me from the doorway and came right over.

"There you are," he said, kissing my cheek, his characteristically gravelly voice ebullient. "Have you met everyone? There was someone I wanted you to meet in particular." After he glanced around, he took my arm and I limped behind him to the door where Drake and Dave stood.

"Drake, did you get a chance to meet my daughter, Katherine? I don't believe the two of you have met."

Drake stopped and turned, his face brightening as he saw my father. He held out his hand and the two men shook and it was quite the contrast. My dad was on the shorter stout side, with a growing pot belly and a grey brush cut. His several thousand dollar suit was on par with Drake's, but it was rumpled, his eyes a bit weary.

"Judge McDermott," Drake said, shaking my dad's hand vigorously. "Glad to see you. Yes, I did meet Katherine. Finally. You've kept her pretty well-hidden."

I turned to my father. "Dr. Morgan used his medical skills on me, father. I fell in the alley and he patched me up." I pointed to my knees and my dad made a face but then smiled.

"Well, that's just great," he said and shook Drake's hand once more. "I knew you’d come in handy one day." Drake shook my father's hand again, an amused expression on his face. "Thank you for looking after my very tomboyish daughter, Drake. She has a tendency to take a bigger bite out of life than she can always chew." My father winked at me, and I saw a hint of affection in that moment instead of criticism. For a change. "Can't call her timid, at least. Maybe foolishly brave."

I frowned at that and turned to him. "How am I foolishly brave, Daddy?"

"All your life, you've been trying to keep up with the older kids, like your brother. Going to Africa with Nigel and staying in one of the camps is a perfect example. How many of your friends can say that?"

I shrugged. "Lots of us volunteer, Dad. We have to in order to stand out on college applications and for scholarships. Dawn went to India."

He nodded. "Still, you have to admit it was pretty brave." A thrill went through me when he put his arm around my shoulder and squeezed. He rarely had anything nice to say about me, so it felt great. "Thanks for looking after my baby girl," he said to Drake.

"No, my pleasure," Drake said, his voice soft. "Thank you for inviting me. I was pleased to finally meet the mysterious Katherine you’ve spoken so much about." Drake smiled at me.

"Not hidden," my father said. "Katherine's been very busy with school and the student paper, haven’t you, sweetheart?"

I smiled, feeling a little overwhelmed by the attention.

"Of course," Drake said.

Then, Peter came by and dragged my father off to speak with some high roller and I was left with Drake and Dave by the front closet where our coats were hung. I took mine out and was just about to put it on when Drake stopped me.

"Here," Drake said. "Let me get that."

Drake took my coat out of my hands, holding it out for me to slip on.

"I can do that," I said, not wanting anyone to fuss over me.

"Please, allow me."

I slid one of my arms in the coat and he helped me on with the other arm, and for a moment, he stood behind me, adjusting the shoulders while I pulled my hair out from under the neck, and I swore he bent forward and smelled me – my hair. I heard him inhale as he stood with his hands adjusting the collar.

I turned around and smiled at him, feeling a bit awkward, not certain if I was right.

"Thank you," I said. He nodded and just watched me as I gathered up my things and limped to my dad, who was standing a few feet away, now engaged in a conversation with Nigel. When my dad saw me coming, he leaned to me and offered his cheek.

I kissed him the way I always used to when I was a girl and still lived with him.

"Good night Daddy," I said, pleased that he seemed so nice.

"Good night, sweetheart." I saw him glance over at the door where Drake and Dave were standing. Then Drake came over and said his own goodbyes to my father. After another round of handshaking and back slapping, my father turned to me.

"Do you need to use the limo service?"

I shook my head. "I'll catch a cab."

Drake made a face at that. "Nonsense," he said. "Let me drop you off. Where do you live?"

My father rolled his eyes. "In a hovel of a rent-controlled apartment building in Harlem," my dad said as if it was an affront to him. Drake pursed his lips at that.