Page 14 of A Forever Love
“Anyway, I was saying that,” he starts again, “If you’re seeing someone, I’m cool with that. But I’d still like to run a background check on the guy who’s going to be spending his time in my home.”
“Dad!” I look at my sisters, who are enjoying their food, completely oblivious to the bomb our father just dropped, while Clementine’s eyes dance with amusement. “Did you know he was going to say all this?”
“Why do you think I woke up early this morning?” She bites her lips, holding back her laughter.
What the heck?
“Dad! No, no, and fucking no.”
That’s when my sisters choose to hear us. Their tiny forks drop to their plates, creating a clinking sound, and their eyes become wide and horrified as they stare at Dad.
“Mere said the bad word, Dad.” They speak slowly and simultaneously, in a conspiratorial way.
“Yes, and I’ll tell her how bad that is, but since it’s her first day back at home, maybe she’s forgotten the house rules.” His lips flatten into a thin line.
The tiny pause helps me find more words than a no.
“Sorry, Poppy. Sorry, Sage. But for the record, Dad, I’m not seeing anyone, and even if I was, I definitely wouldn’t be bringing him home.”
“But I don’t mind,” he replies, rubbing his chin as if that’s the biggest confusion of this morning.
“But I do,” I snap, putting my head between my hands. “God, do you seriously think I’d bring a guy over knowing you’re asleep two doors down the hall?”
I can feel my dad rising to his full height on the chair beside me, and his voice takes on a serious lilt. “I never said anything about bringing him over at night.”
I don’t know why all of a sudden I find this situation hilarious, but a giggle slips out of me. “You are too cute. Whenever I date someone, I’ll bring him home to meet you all and that’s it. You aren’t going to decide where and how I spend my time with him.” He’s about to say something when I push a piece of cheese into his mouth. “Before you go all berserk on me, I was going to tell you that I’ve found an internship.”
“Internship? Did Carter make you a temporary offer?” Dad frowns, his brows knitting together in a puzzled expression.
I take a deep breath before speaking in a clear voice, wanting to get this done soon. “It’s not at Kings Security.”
Clem gets up from her chair and stands behind Dad, who pinches the bridge of his nose—an expression that means he doesn’t like what’s happening right now.
“I don’t understand. You don’t want to work here?” he asks, and when his gaze meets mine again, his voice softens. “But I thought this was what you’ve always wanted, Merry Belle.”
The lump in my throat makes it difficult to speak. We both know it isn’t just about me not working for Kings Security, but that once again, his daughter is running away from something. And my dad, protector extraordinaire, has no clue what or who he should destroy to protect me.
“It wasn’t always, Dad.” I can’t sit idle anymore, so I grab his warm hand on the table and press it against mine. “It was all I’d known and seen. It was familiar and safe. But now I want to see what else is out there—”
“But—”
Clem squeezes his shoulders. “Let’s hear Mere out, Keith.”
I give her a thankful smile. Not just for now but for every other time she’s been there for me and Dad. Clementine has always been very careful of my and Dad’s relationship. She knows we both need time to express ourselves, and we share more in silence than with words. She only interrupts our conversation whenever she thinks one of us needs her, like right now.
Dad’s tight grip around my hand relaxes. “So you’ll move back near your university?”
I shake my head. “God, no. I missed you all too much, and I don’t want to wait another four years before returning home,” I reply in a rush.
“Thank fuck.” Dad’s eyes shut and he slumps back in his chair.
I don’t think he cares anymore about my sisters hearing him curse, but luckily they’re too busy making animal faces with the food on their plates.
“We all missed you too, Mere,” Clem says. “We also don’t want to spend the next few years marking days off on the calendar until we can see you again. Right, Keith?”
Clem’s smile grows, and an ache grips my chest. Casually, she’s shared how Dad worries about me.
As if embarrassed at his secret being out, Dad looks away. “So where are you moving now?”