Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Good. Then we’re in agreement.” I leaned back, my smile returning. “When it comes time to tell Daddy about our engagement, we will be the adoring couple who can’t wait to share their nuptials with each other.”
She pushed her food aside with a mock gag. “All of a sudden, I’ve lost my appetite and I’m ready to go to bed.” With one last glare, she got up and headed for the stairs.
Just before she disappeared, I called out, “So, I guess this means we won’t be carpooling to work together, sweetheart?”
Without stopping, she held up her middle finger until I couldn’t see her anymore.
Part of me hoped the comment would drag her back down. Or incite a snarky rebuttal that would soften the jagged edges of our argument.
Not that it mattered because, unlike Aspen, I was willing to do whatever it took to get what I wanted. After being knocked down to rock bottom, I always made sure to come out on top without hesitation.
However, all the other times I did what needed to be done to win hadn’t left a sinking weight in my stomach that grew heavier each time I remembered the hurt disbelief marring Aspen’s face.
CHAPTER 28
ASPEN
The elevator rose higher, pulling my shoulders with it. The tension coiled and tightened my muscles until they sat by my ears. I stood in the back and when the doors opened, I kept my head low, doing my best to move with the crowd of employees that got off, while simultaneously watching for my dad.
I mentally rolled my eyes at the situation that reminded me too much of when I was a teen and snuck out of the house. The same tiptoeing, holding my breath as I looked around every corner, and hoping I wouldn’t get caught by my dad.
He was back from his golfing trip this week; I knew I was on borrowed time before he cornered me. But I was hoping to finish my coffee before that happened. Maybe I’d get lucky and finish my second cup. A girl could dream.
At least, despite his taunt about carpooling to work today, Lucian had business of his own to tend to, and I wouldn’t have his looming presence adding to the stress of facing my dad. It would be hard enough to sound like our marriage was what I actually wanted. The thought of Lucian by my side and having to act affectionate and in love sounded damn near impossible.
Not that Lucian had said anything about being a couple in love. He’d said I needed to make my dad believe we couldn’t wait to spend our life together, or a couple that needed each other, or how we had to say I do as soon as we could.
The way he avoided using the terminology of being in love, even when it came to creating a believable lie, pricked at my chest in a way I refused to look at too closely.
I didn’t have time to think about that now. One more corner before I reached my office door and safety. At least for a couple hours.
With one last deep breath, I rushed to the door, jerking it open, then quickly closed and fell against it with closed eyes, exhaling in relief.
Reaching out, I blindly hit the wall, searching for the light switch. I found it just as my eyes slid open…
And screamed.
My dad sat poised in the corner of my couch, his black suit matching the scowl hardening his features.
I slapped a hand to my chest and gasped for air. “Jesus Christ! You scared me to death.”
“Despite recent actions, you look very much alive to me,” he stated.
Unfortunately, I wanted to grumble. Maybe if he had scared me to death, I wouldn’t have to face the conversation I kept putting off with ignored calls and unread messages. His golfing trip made it easy to avoid him. Any other time, he would have tracked me down after one day of missed contact. I probably should have predicted finding him here first thing after an entire week.
Seeing him now made part of me wish I’d have responded to at least a few messages to soften the deep grooves of his frown.
Unwilling to jump directly into the impending fire, I morphed my face into a relaxed smile, full of innocence. “Hey, Daddy.”
Maybe I could distract him with questions about his trip and buy myself time. I mean, just because I faced him today didn’t mean I had to confess why I’d avoided him. Technically, I didn’t have to confess anything. It wasn’t like Lucian and I had agreed when I needed to tell my dad anything.
“How was the golfing trip? Was it everything you wanted it to be? I know you’ve always wanted to golf at Pine Valley. Does crossing that off your bucket list have you eager to do more once you retire?”