Daniel came in through the doorway right on time, at exactly 6 P.M. I shot up from my seat at the counter immediately, and although I wasn't exactly sure what I would say, I knew I had to say something, so I cleared my throat and approached him, my hand stuck out for him to shake.
"I'm Tori," I said, my voice seeming to stick to the back of my throat. "Laurie's daughter."
At this, his brown eyes widened, and he put a hand through his graying hair.
"Oh, my God!" He said, dismissing the handshake and pulling me into an embrace, "How are you, sweetheart? God, it's so nice to finally meet you; I've heard so much about you!"
"I'm good," I told him, flustered. "Congratulations, though. This—this is pretty exciting."
At this, sympathy flashed in his gaze, and he held me from h
