Free Dirty For Me (Motor City Royals) by Jackie Ashenden Page A

his mouth. His dark eyes were full of what could only be termed satisfaction and he looked exceptionally pleased with himself. “I just wanted you to know, Tamara, how happy your mother and I are with you at the moment.”
    She should have felt glad about that, because her dad didn’t often hand out praise, so when he did, it meant a lot. But for some reason it wasn’t pleasure that sat in her gut but apprehension.
    “Well, thanks. You know I appreciate all you and Mom have done for me.” She smoothed her napkin again, because they were edging into dangerous territory. “I want to make you proud.”
    He nodded. “Of course and you have. Very proud indeed. In fact, I hope to hear good news at the end of the month from Scott.”
    She ignored the apprehension that wound deeper. “That’s the plan.”
    “Good.” He took a sip of wine, studying her. “And I suppose that brings me to the point of this dinner.” Another pause. “Your future is looking very bright, Tamara, and your mother and I just want to be sure you’re heading in the right direction.”
    Carefully she reached out for her own glass and held it, trying to still the shake of her hand. There was no reason to be nervous about this and she couldn’t think why she was. “Oh? That sounds ominous.” She tried a smile to help lighten her mood.
    Her father smiled back. “Of course it’s not ominous. I meant what I said—we’re very proud of you. It’s only that the next step will be an important one for you and one that’s going to ensure your success.” He took another sip from his glass. “So we want to make sure that the next step is the right one.”
    The apprehension in her gut churned. “And what’s the right step?”
    Her dad leaned forward, putting his glass on the table and clasping his hands together. “You and Robert are pretty serious, aren’t you?”
    She blinked at the question, not expecting it. “I . . . suppose we are. What’s that got to do with anything?”
    “Well, you’re getting your career set up nicely, but that’s not the only part of your life you need to consider.” He gave a small self-conscious laugh. “Boy, I really wanted your mom to broach this with you.”
    Tamara’s grip on her wineglass tightened. “Broach what?”
    “Okay, well, your mom and I wondered if you and Robert have thought about tying the knot.”
    She stared at him. Marriage? Was he serious? “Uh, no. Robert and I haven’t . . . I mean . . . we’re not at that stage yet.”
    Her father’s smile didn’t change. “We think you should consider it. We like him, he comes from a great family, and he’s got a great future ahead of him too. Your mom and I think you and he would make a great team.”
    Trying to mask her shock, Tamara took a swallow of wine. But it only sat in her stomach acidly, making her feel a bit sick. She put the glass down again, her hands returning to the napkin spread over her lap. “That’s . . . uh . . . good you think that, obviously. But . . . I’m not sure I’m ready for that step yet.”
    “You’re twenty-three, Tamara, and you’ve got yourself a great career path. This is the next logical move, don’t you think?”
    No. She didn’t think that. Or at least, marriage hadn’t been something she’d been considering.
    And certainly not with Robert.
    She looked back down at the snowy white folds of the napkin. “It might be for me. But I’m not sure Robert is ready for it.”
    There was a heavy pause.
    She glanced back up.
    Her father was looking at her with some embarrassment. “Actually,” he said, “I’ve already discussed this with Robert and he’s very happy with the idea.”
    The shock inside her twisted again, threaded through this time with anger. “What do you mean ‘already’? Don’t you think I should be the first one to speak to about this?”
    Her father lifted his hands in a calming motion. “Okay, okay, settle down. Yes, I know, I should have talked to you first. But we needed