“We came early for a few drinks. Long day,” Chadwick says.
He reaches out to play with my fingers, and it takes everything I have not to snatch them out of his reach. I don’t know why, but I really can’t stand the feeling of his touch tonight.
When was the last time I actuallyenjoyedhis touch?Just like the question Monroe asked earlier today, I don’t have a good answer for this one either.
Now that I know all my friends think he’s a douchebag, and we haven’t had good sex in ... maybe ever, the list of reasons why I should end this relationship is growing longer by the day. Except ... there’s one big, weighty reason I’m hesitant to cut it off, and he’s sitting right across the table from me.
My father.
I smile across the table at my dad, wishing he were the one to stand up and wrap me in his arms in a hug and ask me how my day went. Ask how his little girl is doing. Ask if I’m happy. Ask ... anything.
But that won’t come until later, when he’s had a few more vodka tonics and Chadwick’s amusing comments have loosened him up, helping him remember he’s my father and not just at dinner with a colleague and their significant other.
To say our father-daughter relationship is fulfilling would be a bald-faced lie.
My dad didn’t want a child. He wanted an heir. A son. Someone he could groom to take over his family’s business. Instead, he got me, a mama’s girl with bold ideas of her own who doesn’t like taking orders. Suffice it to say, he still hasn’t gotten over my lack of a penis and failure at blind obedience.
Thankfully, the server comes to the table to bring the men another round of drinks and takes my order. I opt for a nice full-flavored white wine that’ll go well with the eggplant parm I always get.
My father smiles in approval at my choice. “That’ll accompany your usual eggplant perfectly. You’re finally learning to select your pairings well. Good for you, Scarlett.”
It’s a crumb. A tiny taste of approval. An indication that he actually remembers what I normally order. I glom onto it like it’s a five-course meal and savor the comment.
“She’ll be even better after we spend next weekend in Sonoma,” Chadwick says, lifting his glass to his lips.
I whip my head to the side to stare at him. “What?”
He sucks back a mouthful, and I wait for him to swallow so he can explain what the hell he just said. “Big meeting. Your father has graciously allowed us to take his place. It’ll be great. You’ll finally be able to get away from work and relax for a couple of days. God knowsIneed it. You’re impossible to pry out of that damn store, and I’m getting pretty tired of it.”
So many thoughts are firing through my head at Mach one speed that I have no idea which to address first. Before I can decide, my father chimes in like I’m not even at the table.
“That’ll be a great weekend away for you two kids. You know, Chadwick, Sonoma would make an excellent place to pop the question. Time to make an honest woman of Scarlett.”
What feels like every drop of blood drains out of my head. I can do nothing but gape at both of them in horror. It’s like I’m watching a farce where my life is being determined, and no one thinks I need to be consulted.
Marry Chadwick? I don’t even want him to touch me right now.Neither man notices my expression or shocked silence.
Chadwick tosses back the rest of his bourbon with a chuckle. “I’m going to need another drink before we talk about that, Law.”
Am I in the twilight zone? Because it feels like I’m in an alternate reality right now. A glitch in the Matrix? Maybe that would explain it.
But before they can continue planning my future without my input, I force a sweet smile onto my face and interject with sympathy in my voice I don’t feel. “I’m so sorry, Chadwick. I wish you would’ve spoken to me before you made plans. There’s no way I can leave the city next weekend, let alone go all the way to Sonoma. It’s just not a good time.”
His sharp gaze slices through me as he turns. “Just like last night wasn’t a good time? When will it be a good time, Scarlett?”
The caustic tone of his words scalds me, and heat rushes to my cheeks.How can he possibly bring up his attempted booty call last night with my father sittingright here?
I swallow, my smile a little shakier now. “I’ll see what I can do to clear some time next month. Weekends are really busy with restocking lately due to the heavy traffic in the store.”
“That’s what employees are for, my dear. What’s the point of working so hard if you can’t enjoy life now and again?” This comes from my dad, and I could almost cry at how fatherly he sounds.
Why can’t he be this guy all the time for me? Why does he only remember my existence when Chadwick is involved?
“See, Scar? Even your dad agrees with me. Now say yes, and I’ll get the flights booked so we can have a weekend alone. You never know what’ll happen.” He winks at me, and I want to crawl in a hole.
A weekend alone with Chadwick where he thinks he’s getting laid 24/7? And might propose? The very thought puts me off my eggplant parm, and I haven’t even ordered yet.
My dad smiles and waves to the server. “I think we’re going to need champagne tonight. I feel like celebrating. How about the Krug?”