Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 109176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Suddenly, there’s nowhere I’d rather be than in that dining room, having dinner with my father.
Jittery nerves trickle through my system, twisting my fingers together. “Are you sure it isn’t—”
“Yes, I’m sure.” My father nods, leaving no room for discussion. “We want you here. Now let’s go eat.”
He ushers me into the dining room, where Sherry already is.
“Josie. Are you eating with us?” Her voice rises in excitement as she asks the same question as him.
My father steps forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. “She is.”
Sherry smiles warmly at him and then pats the seat next to her. “Sit beside me, then you can see your father better.” I slip into the seat, stiffening when she leans in to whisper in my ear, “You’ll need the vantage point to catch him stealing food off your plate.”
I suspect she’s joking on purpose to loosen me up, and it works…until I notice there’s already a place setting in front of me. Sherry follows my gaze.
I fiddle with the placemat, suddenly overwhelmed. “It’s set?”
“It is.”
“Why?”
“For you, of course. It’s been set since the day you came to live with us. ” Her words bring water to my eyes.
I resist the urge to shake my head. How did I not notice before? Family isn’t blood. It’s commitment. It’s being there in the small moments, so your loved ones feel comfortable turning to you in the big moments.
A second later, my father sits in his seat, and Sherry starts serving dinner. The dishes are simple—chicken Milanese with a lemon-parmesan arugula salad—yet, it’s perfect.
“Did you have a good time working with the marketing team today?”
“I actually loved it. Don’t get me wrong, I love influencer marketing, but I also loved the branding meetings. I love how everything is done for a specific reason.”
“Maybe I can see if they will take you on for a few weeks. That will help your résumé tremendously.”
“You’d do that?”
“For you? Yes.”
Unshed tears cling to my eyes. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” He lifts his water goblet before taking a drink, and then he addresses me a little more seriously. “Are you okay?”
He’s referring to the giant elephant in the room—me sobbing to him.
I can feel a lump growing in my throat.
A part of me wishes I could tell him and have him be the one to give me advice, but I know two jobs are on the line, and while I’m not as worried about me, I’m concerned for Dane. Something is eating away at him already, so I’d hate to rock the boat more.
“I’m fine. Really,” I respond softly.
My father studies me for a second. The lines on his face have sharpened, telling me he’s concerned, but thankfully, for everyone’s sake, he doesn’t push because I’m not sure I could lie if asked. I wouldn’t want to.
“So tell me what you majored in?” Sherry asks. I’m surprised she doesn’t know, but then again, I haven’t really opened up to her or my father.
I really need to get to the bottom of everything because I feel like I’m in the twilight zone.
“I majored in folklore and mythology with a minor in communications, which is why this whole opportunity is so perfect. I guess, like all girls my age, I had hopes of being an influencer.” I laugh.
“And now?”
“Now, I realize marketing is so much more than just going viral, and it all fascinates me.”
“I’ll definitely get you transferred to the main marketing office.”
“That would be amazing.”
“Bet you won’t miss the stinky arena.”
“I won’t.” I’ll miss a grumpy player.
Stop.
No more thinking or talking about him. It’s over. Time to move on and make a life for yourself.
An hour later, belly full, heart fuller, I stand from the table.
My hands are in front of me, my fingers twirling nervously. I know what I have to do, but why does it seem so hard?
“Josie? Everything okay.”
“I was wondering—um, can I speak to you alone for a minute?”
“Of course. Sherry, do you mind?”
“Go ahead, guys. I’ll clean up.” She picks up a plate from the table. “Josie?”
“Yeah?”
“It was great having you tonight.”
My nose tingles at her words, and I know without a doubt that if I let myself, tears would leak from my eyes. I don’t allow them, though. I need my strength right now.
“Thanks,” I squeak and then turn to look at where my father is going. We walk down a long hall that dead ends into a pair of pretty mahogany French doors. His arm reaches out, and he opens it for us, motioning for me to step inside.
When the door is shut, I stand still at first, then start to pace.
This is weird.
Awkward.
Do I just blurt it out? Maybe lead up to it . . .
Fuck it. I’m tired of overthinking my entire existence.
“When did you find out about me?”
Robert scratches the back of his neck. He looks as uncomfortable as I feel.