Page 5 of His Secret Virgin

“No.” But the way she looked at me had me rethinking that assessment. “Look, Dad knows me. He trusts me, and I trust him. And I do believe he has my best interests at heart.”

“You’re fooling yourself, girl.” She leaned back in the chair, fanning herself. “You’re a grown woman now, Emma Hancock. You’re a beautiful young woman, too.” She leaned up, propping her elbows on the table then her chin on her palms. “Maybe it’s time you start embracing that. Hell, you’re twenty, and I haven’t even seen you wear makeup. Let me put some on you before you leave.”

“Oh, no.” I shook my head. “Dad would have a fit.”

Rolling her eyes, she added, “I bet he would. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear it if you want to. Do it a little at a time and I bet he won’t even notice it.”

I knew he would. “No. Especially not right now. I’ve never seen him look as awful as he did when he came home today, Val. I mean it. I can’t go shaking things up now.”

Her lips pulled up to one side as she scrutinized me. “There will come a time when you will have to shake things up, little Emma Hancock.”

Well, today will not be that day.