Hating You, Loving You (Inked Hearts 4)

If I was a merciful guy, I would. But I'm not. "No. We have all the time in the world."

She groans like a teenager.

Which I get. I feel like a teenager around my parents.

"Well, you might have all day. But I have a hundred oranges to tattoo." She takes another step down the walkway. "So…"

"I didn't show you oranges."

"I saw it on YouTube. It's the same, isn't it?"

"Grapefruits are better."

"Oh." She looks back to her dad with a wave. "We do have to go."

He smiles, good humored. "All this rushing just because you don't want me to say Gia thought Dean was cute."

"Oh my God, Dad!" Chloe turns. Surveys the scene. Refuses to accept defeat. She taps her combat boots together. "I'm sure you're teaching me something important today. So, we should get to it."

She's so full of shit.

But then so am I. I tried to think up some way to explain this as a lesson, but it's not. I want to hang out with her. Period.

"Thank you," I respond to her dad's compliment.

Chloe takes my hand. She looks up at me please, for the love of God go along with this.

I shrug, playing coy.

She just barely stifles a groan. "I'll be home late, Dad. Okay?" She waves goodbye.

He nods sure thing.

"What happened to your work?" I ask.

Her cheeks flush. Her brow knits with frustration. "Love you, Dad." She ignores my taunting and drags me to the car.

I open the door for her.

She slides inside then slams it hard.

She's pulling socks from her combat boots when I get into the driver's seat.

She slides a sock on. Slips her foot into the boot. Laces it tightly.

"You do own sandals," I say.

"I like these." She slides the other sock on. Foot in boot. Laces. Done. "Perfect."

"Aren't you hot?"

"Nice of you to finally notice."

"That's bad. Even by my standards."

Her eyes go to the ignition. "Are we ever leaving or are we sitting here?"

"Kinda fun watching you stare at your dad like he's evil for standing on the porch."