“My father showed up at the hospital, and we went to dinner. Argued a little, then I went back to the hospital to check on a patient before I came here.”
A pang of guilt shot through her. She knew Drake had a volatile relationship with his dad, and that the older man’s visits often ended with a bad argument. “I’m sorry. What is he in town for?”
“Fund-raising event.” Drake shook his head. “And you should know your father called him.”
A heavy feeling settled in her stomach, and she leaned against the bathroom sink. “Wow. My dad certainly didn’t waste any time. How did that conversation go?”
“Well, they both agree that we made a mistake in getting married. Both feel that our decision is detrimental to our careers. Basically, your father doesn’t think I’m good enough for you, and neither of them believes that we’re capable of living our lives without their guidance and instruction.”
She pulled her towel tighter against her chest. Swallowing, she said, “Drake, I’m so… I feel like this is my fault. After all this time, I’ve tried to give my dad the benefit of the doubt, but he’s not the same man that I grew up with. He’s controlling and dismissive. He shouldn’t have said the things he did to you, or your father.”
“You are not to blame for your father’s actions, just like I’m not for mine.”
“I know it hurts you, because you care about him.” Love knew the respect and admiration Drake had for her father. Learning that none of that mattered now had to be a blow. “I’m so angry with him.”
“Don’t be,” Drake said. “You can’t control his reaction. But we do need to talk about this. And not just gloss over it.”
“Do you want something to drink? Or eat?”
He shook his head. “Not really.” He tugged his shirt off and shuffled into the bathroom. “My father has requested our appearance at the high society fund-raiser next Saturday. He’s getting an award, and has to make it appear that the Jackson family is loving and supportive of each other.”
“Well, I’m not coming to that.”
He looked over at her. “I know you hate events like this, but I need you there.”
Love’s stance softened at Drake’s sincerity. She knew it would be hard for him to be around his father, in the type of environment that always made him feel like a fake. He’d grown up feeling like he was “daddy’s little secret,” and Dr. Lawrence Jackson had never done much to correct that assumption.
His siblings were cool, and Love enjoyed hanging out with all of them. But they didn’t have the same baggage as Drake because they were born of marriage, albeit marriages to different women.
Dr. Law, as Love called him, had been married three times. The twins were born to his first wife. His arrival in the home had caused many a problem, because Drake was the result of a torrid affair. Dr. Jackson’s wife at the time resented Drake, even though he was not to blame for the heartache she’d suffered. She’d made life hell for him, and that’s why Love was so grateful for her loving mother, who’d never hesitated to show Drake love and understanding.
Drake was proof that money wasn’t everything. His life was anything but charmed, even though he was born with wealth and status simply because he had the last name Jackson.
Love relented. “I’ll be there.”
“Thank you.”
“I know how you feel about your father. This is the worst possible time for him to be in town, while we’re trying to figure things out.”
“Yeah, well, it is what it is.”
Drake made quick work of brushing his teeth and washing his face. And Love found herself staring at his broad, well-defined shoulders, his ripped back, his strong arms, and toned abs. His pants hung low on his hips, giving her a glimpse of the thin line of hair disappearing under the waistband of his black boxer briefs.
“Do you still want to talk?” he asked. The smirk on his full lips let her know that he’d caught her staring. Again.
Eyeing the door, and rubbing a hand through her wet hair, she answered, “Um, sure.”
His slow, deliberate gaze over her body sent a shiver of awareness to her core. “Don’t you think you should put on some clothes?” She opened her mouth to respond, but stopped short when he added, “Or I could take mine off so we’re equal.”
She let out a nervous laugh and stepped away from him, tripping over a shoe in the middle of the floor and tumbling backward. She landed with a loud thud on her butt. Jumping up, she struggled to regain her composure as behind her, she heard Drake chuckle. Her face and neck burned as she entertained the idea of bolting. She couldn’t turn around and face him. Her chest tightened, and a tingle swept up the back of her neck and across her cheeks. Rubbing her arms, she took in a deep breath.