"Are you nervous?"

"No."

"You see, nervous."

"Well I'm not."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Completely sure?"

"Without a doubt?"

"Not even a little nervous?"

"Not in the slightest."

"Because I'm nervous."

"Good for you."

"Well, sure, but if I'm nervous and he's my dad, I'm sure that you're some level of-"

"I'm not nervous!"

"Are you irritated?"

"YES!"

I crossed my arms, a smile tugging at my lips as I watched the thick, tall, well built man stand in front of me, a slight fear in his eyes and a sort of jumpiness in his walk. He was nervous. "Don't be nervous Derek. My father can smell fear."

"What?" He sounded panicked.

Knock knock knock.

Before Derek could complain, I lopped my arm under his and tugged him after me. Opening the door, I threw a friendly smile to Scott, who stood in the doorway. "You seem nervous," he told Derek.

"I'm not nervous!" Derek snapped. I covered a laugh and Scott shot me a look.

He's nervous, he seemed to be telling me.

I nodded. Oh yeah.

The whole drive Derek held my hand, his free hand under his chin, his elbow resting on the door and his eyes glued to the passing view, jaw locked, right leg bouncing anxiously.

"You're worried."

"I'm not n-" he looked at me, frowning. "I am worried."

"Why?"

Derek sighed heavily, shooting Scott - who was giving us a ride to my parents' house - a look to be quiet as he spoke. "He's your dad. The ultimate end word. If he doesn't approve of me... Look this is a big deal, okay? You're mom is wonderful and I was so relieved that she liked me but this is your dad and I- Dad's are... scary." He shrugged.

I smiled wider, interlacing our fingers. "Don't worry, Derek."

When we got there, Scott drove away with an encouraging look to me and Derek as we walked away and then we approached the door. I knocked. Derek's hold on my hand got a bit tighter. The door opened. Derek took a deep breath in. A sharp breath in.

Then they met.

Made jokes.

We had dinner.

At the end of the night, I looked over at him, smiling. "So, does he bite?"

Derek grinned. "No. Only I do that."