Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 57943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
LIA SUCCESSFULLY AVOIDED my dad’s question. I’d been waiting for the answer myself and was disappointed when she managed to get away with not answering it. Letting it slide, I grabbed her hand and led her to the table.
“I am so happy that we are all here together!” Charlotte exclaimed. She was such a bubbly person. It amazed me that she and my dad ever thought they could be a match. But surprisingly enough, she pulled Dad out of some of his rigidness, which was a huge feat. She did it with a smile too. The woman was made of tougher stuff than Mom or I ever possessed. That’s for damn sure.
“So, Charlotte?” Lia asked. “I hear you are Steve’s assistant. Is it difficult working together?”
Charlotte giggled at Lia’s question, causing everyone to smile. The woman’s laughter was infectious. “Steve can be a controlling grump sometimes.” She winked at him. “But he learned from the get-go that I wouldn’t have any of it. We actually had a screaming match in his office my first day, but then one thing led to the other and voila! We’ve been inseparable ever since. He still has his moments, but I just hit him over the head with a file to knock some sense into him.” She smiled over at him.
Dad had a look I’d never seen on his face before—complete adoration. This woman did something to him and it was definitely for the better.
Lia’s phone chimed and she pulled it from her purse to read the text. I could see her poor attempt to mask the distress the message had caused her. She quickly put the phone away and began drinking wine like it was water. As soon as we were alone later, I was going to drill her about who messaged her. For obvious reasons, I’d thought this dinner would be awkward for me, but she was the one looking uneasy.
After dinner, the girls went into the kitchen to clean up while my dad and I went into the den. He poured me something a little stiffer this time.
“She seems like a great girl, Cale.”
I couldn’t hide the grin on my face. She was definitely great despite her secrets. “Dad, she makes me feel alive. I can honestly see a future with her.”
“Well, son, for the first time in my life, I know what you mean. Char is wonderful. I love that woman. She doesn’t know it yet, but I am going to ask her to marry me soon. I’m waiting on the jeweler to finish her ring. It made me realize how unhappy I was with your mother. Speaking of, have you heard from her lately?”
I sighed because the subject of my mother was one we hated. Both of us had felt abandoned when she’d left. “Not in at least a year. And honestly, I am not really that broken up about it.”
“Yeah, me neither,” he agreed.
I pushed the subject in a different direction. “Dad, that’s great news about you and Charlotte. I wish you two the best. She seems like a perfect match for you.”
The smile on his face made me realize that this was real. He definitely cared for that woman, and she was changing him for the better. For once, I felt happy about where my relationship with my father could go from here.
The women walked in a little while later. Charlotte poured Lia some sort of girly-looking drink while Dad refreshed mine and we all headed to the sofas to talk. Sitting next to Lia, I took hold of her hand and slid it into my lap. She was getting really giggly, and I had a feeling that it was because she was a little tipsy.
When Charlotte and Dad started discussing one of his clients, I took that moment to whisper to Lia. “What’s up, babe? You started acting funny after that text. Who was it?”
She smiled at me and slurred, “Looks like our good ol’ boy Sam has my number too. He can’t wait to see me.”
“Shit, Lia! Why didn’t you say anything earlier?” I demanded, trying not to raise my voice.
“I didn’t want to ruin dinner, Cale. It’s not like he’s putting roses on my car or trying to burn us alive. He’s just trying to intimidate me.” The simple and unaffected tone of her voice wiggled its way under my skin. Fucking Sam was doing this to her.
My dad interrupted our conversation. “It’s getting late, guys, and it’s a long way back. Please, why don’t you stay the night? The guest room is made up and ready.”
Feeling the effects of the alcohol, I didn’t think it was a bad idea. “Sure, Dad. That sounds great.”
“What about work tomorrow?” Lia asked.
“Text Ben and tell him you’ll take a day of vacation. I’m sure he won’t mind,” I assured her.