I push a hand through my hair. “Working for my dad has gotten a tad unbearable. It wasn’t like that when I first started practicing, but I don’t know. He’s…changed and not in a good way. It makes going to work miserable sometimes.”
“Why don’t you quit then?”
“Because I still love the job, just not the environment. I mean, I watched my grandpa do it with such passion that it made me want to be like him. But I didn’t look up to my grandfather because of his job.”
“What was it then?”
Looking over at her, I pause for a beat before answering. “It was the way he loved my grandmother that I appreciated the most about him.”
Dilynne smirks in my direction. “Oh my God. Elliot Thorne, the last thing you’ve ever made me consider is thatyouare a closet romantic.”
“Because I haven’t been for a long time.”
“So you were before?”
“Before what?”
She holds her hand up. “Before all the girls and one-night stands. Before you hit your head and chose Tori as someone you thought was worth marrying.”
“Yes. Before I balked at the idea of monogamy, I used to think that everyone had someone out there that could make them believe in love.”
“So what changed that?”
I rub my hands on my shorts. “When I was younger, I spent weekends at my grandparents’ house and watched the way they were with each other. Hell, he used to buy her favorite snacks at the store and bring her flowers just because.” I shake my head at the memory. “He talked about her like she was the best part of his life, that he didn’t know how amazing life could be until he met her, and how much she changed his for the better.”
“Damn. What a lucky girl.”
“Oh, she loved him too. But after my grandpa died and my grandmother shortly after, the only example I had for a relationship was my parents. And let’s just say they showed me the ugly side of what love can do to two people.”
Dilynne clears her throat. “I’ve always sort of picked up on a weird tension between them. What do you think caused that?”
Talking about this instantly makes me grow uneasy. I shift in my seat, trying to get more comfortable. “Not many people know because protecting our family’s reputation has always been of the utmost importance. ‘Thornes don’t discuss personal matters,’” I say, mimicking my father’s voice.
“Spot on impression of your dad, by the way,” Dilynne says, making me chuckle and lightening the topic of conversation slightly.
Fuck. I love that she can do that for me, a detail about her that I’ve overlooked for years.
“Thanks. But I think not talking about our feelings is part of the reason why he thought bringing Tori back was a good idea—because he was unfaithful to my mom, and when she found out, she just…acted like it never happened.”
“What? How?” Dilynne barks out. “When I found out that Vinnie was cheating on me, I bought bear shit and put it in the engine and fuel lines of his Bel Air!”
I stare over at her, a little concerned. “Uh… where does one even purchase bear shit, Dilynne?”
She shrugs nonchalantly. “There are people out there who understand the motives for revenge. Let’s just…leave it at that.”
Sighing, I brush a hand through my hair. “Well, plotting revenge would mean that my mother would lose her posh life she’s become accustomed to, so…”
“Do you think your mom knows about what’s going on with your dad? Or Tori?”
“Probably not. They’ve never been the type to handle issues together. Dad controls everything, Mom just nods along and keeps swiping her cards.”
In fact, if she did know anything about this issue with my grandfather’s will, she’d be the last person to speak up about it.
“I’m sorry, Elliot.”
“What are you sorry for?”
“For the fact that your parents have both disappointed you. Unfortunately, I know what that feels like too.”