Page 55 of Daddy's Pride

“June’s still a few months away.”

“I know. But you’ll be so busy preparing everything and decorating your house that it’ll fly by. I’m so excited for you, Daddy.”

I imagine cupping his face in my hand. I want to kiss him. “Can you come to the opening weekend?”

“I wouldn’t miss it. Tell me the date, and I’ll put it in my diary.”

“The first weekend in June.”

“Done. Have you found a photographer?”

I laugh. “I haven’t had time today. But I will tomorrow.”

“You’ve been busy.”

“So have you.”

He sighs. “Your busy was more exciting than mine. I need to cook.” He says the last sentence around a yawn.

“You haven’t eaten yet?”

“No. I got home about thirty seconds before I called you. Long enough to take my coat and shoes off and flop on the sofa.” He yawns again.

“Why were you so late?”

“Oh, Nigel booked a late meeting with a client. He couldn’t be there, so he asked me to deal with it.”

I grit my teeth. “He was too busy or couldn’t be bothered?”

“Daddy.”

I wipe my hand over my face. “You’re too generous, boy. Your brother takes advantage of it.”

“Maybe.”

“Whatever debt you think you owe him, you’ve repaid ten times over with the extra work you’ve done for him. Promise me you’ll set firmer boundaries with him or, if you don’t feel you can do that, look for a new job.”

Harris is silent. I hold my breath. Have I overstepped? We were together for a week. We didn’t promise each other anything beyond that. We didn’t even talk about what we wanted. If anything. Yet I’m calling him boy, and he’s calling me Daddy.

“I’m sorry, boy.”

“Don’t be. You’re right. I know you’re right. But walking away isn’t that easy. He’s my brother.”

“I know.”

“Daddy.”

“Yes?”

“Can we talk about something else?”

“Of course. Anything.”

“Us?”

My heart skips. “Yes.”

“Is there an us?” His voice quivers.