“Drake?” Dr. Leon said. “Care to say something? I believe you owe me an explanation.”
“I do. But I’m not talking about this with him in the room.” Drake couldn’t believe he’d basically told his boss to kick someone out of his office. “This is between me, you and Love. Not Derrick.”
Leon glared at him. “Listen, you married my daughter without so much as a call for permission. After everything I’ve done for you.”
Love gasped. “Daddy, don’t—”
Drake glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “Love, let me handle this.” He met her father’s hard gaze with one of his own. “With all due respect, sir, this isn’t about you. It’s about me and Love. He doesn’t belong in this room.”
“Who do you think you’re talking to?” Derrick asked incredulously.
Drake stood. “Did I stutter? I meant what I said.”
“Well, luckily, this isn’t your office.” Derrick sneered at him.
Drake looked at Dr. Leon. “I’ve known you for a long time. You’re like a father to me, especially since my dad couldn’t be bothered. I think I deserve a chance to talk to you without an audience.”
“If you have something to say, say it,” Dr. Leon challenged.
Drake squeezed Love’s hand when she gasped. “Dr. Leon, the fact that we’re even having this discussion stings. I thought you knew that I would never intentionally hurt Love.”
“I don’t think you’d intentionally hurt her,” Dr. Leon responded, his voice flat.
Drake couldn’t figure out why the older man, his mentor, was choosing to treat him as if he was no better than a random guy on the street. He knew Dr. Leon wouldn’t be happy, but this was another level of disdain that he’d never expected. Love’s father was stern, not overly affectionate, but he’d never been a jerk. It rankled Drake, made him want to confront the older man, his job be damned.
“I know my daughter, and there is more to this story.”
It was laughable that Dr. Leon was standing in front of him, telling him that he knew Love. “I understand that you think you know your daughter, but when are you going to admit that I know her just as well—probably better? I know what she wants out of life, and I will do my best to make sure she realizes her dreams. As I’m sure she’ll do for me. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for her.” It was the truth, and Love knew it. That’s why he could be found watching chick flicks on a Saturday afternoon, or visiting every single new art exhibit in the area, or snoring through off-Broadway plays. “And I don’t really care what anyone else has to say about it, because I’ve got her.”
Leon stared at them, long and hard.
“I’d love to continue this conversation,” Drake told him. “But I need you to ask that fool to leave.”
Dr. Leon held his ground. “Derrick is family.”
The comment stung, especially since Drake respected Leon, modeled his professional career after him.
“Family?” Love said. “Really, Daddy? Drake is family, legally now. I know you’re upset, but he is my husband. Derrick is not, and never will be because he broke my heart.”
“Lovely Grace Washington!” He bit out the words like she disgusted him. “I’m your father and you will respect me.”
“When are you going to respect me, Daddy? This man cheated on me and broke up with me via a text message. But you don’t seem to give a damn. Maybe because you did the same thing to Mom.”
“Lovely!” Dr. Leon shouted.
“No. I can’t believe you’re even entertaining Derrick after what he’s done.”
“This is the first I’m hearing of it,” her dad argued. “You told me things just didn’t work out between you and Derrick.”
“Well, now you know. Do something about it.”
Drake wasn’t surprised Love had his back. She always did, willing to go into battle for him at any time. “Calm down,” he whispered against her ear as he massaged her shoulders. “This isn’t helping.”
Love jerked out of his hold. “No. I’m sick of being calm. Daddy, since you love Derrick so much, you marry him.”
Then she stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind her. Turning on his heels, he went after her.
“Drake?” Dr. Leon called to him.
He stopped at the door, but didn’t turn around.
“We’re not done yet.”
“We are today,” Drake said. “I need to go see about my wife.”
CHAPTER 8
Love burst into the lounge area carrying her patient charts and her dreaded, ringing cell phone. It had been ringing nonstop since she’d stormed out of her father’s office that afternoon. Frustrated, she never even looked to see who was calling. She was pretty sure that Drake, her mother and Lana were among the many callers. But she didn’t care. She wanted to be alone.