Page 10 of One Drink
“Dad.” I took a deep breath, and instead of dropping Stephanie’s hand like I should have, I squeezed tighter. His eyes darted between us and his smile grew. “I didn’t expect you this early.”
“My meeting time today was moved up, and I took an earlier flight. I thought I’d surprise you.” Dad’s tone was playful, but I sensed there was more he wanted to say.
“I am surprised. This is much better than a phone call.”
Stephanie pulled her hand away and added some distance between us. Disappointment settled over me, but I forced a smile. Dad didn’t need to know what was going on between us.
“Get over here and give your dad a hug.” Dad had always been a hugger. As a teenager, I hated that about him. It always embarrassed me when he hugged me in front of my friends. But now I gladly reached out and let him hug his son.
“It’s so good to see you again, Mr. Williams.” Stephanie said after Dad stepped back. She held out her hand and my father took it with a smile. “It’s been, what, three years?”
“It’s good to see you again too, Ms. Jones.” He glanced at me with his brows slightly ticked up. “And from the looks of things, I’d say Jake has a few things to catch me up on.”
“Oh, well. We’re—”
“Do you have time to grab lunch today?” I could feel Stephanie’s eyes burn a hole through my head for cutting her off. But I knew my dad. After our phone conversation on Saturday and now seeing us holding hands, he would give me all kinds of hell for such a public display of affection if we were not a couple. My dad was very chivalrous, and holding a woman’s hand meant you were intimate. Anything else would be viewed as disrespect to my father.
“No, my meeting will run through lunch and well into the afternoon. But I’m free for dinner if you are,” he said. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to notice the tension between Stephanie and me. She was smiling, but I felt every bit of her frustration. “I’d love it if you joined us as well, Ms. Jones.”
“I’m afraid I’m going to have to decline. I have a late meeting today with an advertiser.”
“Next time, then.” Dad accepted her decline with a smile and turned to me. “Son, how about you?”
“Yes, I’m free.” At least I had all day to work up to telling him Stephanie and I were not in a relationship.
“Great. I’ll text when my meeting ends, and we can pick a spot. Also, the main reason I came by this morning was to make sure you were available for the charity event in a couple weeks. Your mother wants to spend time with you, and she begged me to ask you to clear your calendar.”
“Sure, Dad.” My shoulders relaxed, and my smile was genuine despite the tension I still felt. “I don’t think I have anything coming up that would interfere. I’d love to spend time with her, too. And you.”
“Wonderful. I’ll email you the details.” He turned his attention to Stephanie, and his eyes lit up. I knew what he was thinking, especially after my questions about him and Mom. “And you, young lady, had better be there with him. No work meeting excuses. I look forward to catching up with you, too.”
Stephanie tried to object, but he continued before she could get a word in. “Well, my meeting is across town, so I’d better get going. Glad I caught you. Once your mom arrives, let’s all plan dinner.”
“Sounds good, Dad.”
He was gone and out the front door before either of us could catch our breaths.
“What just happened?” Stephanie crossed her arms over her chest and scowled at me.
I sighed. “Dad thinks we’re dating.”
“And how did he come to the conclusion we were dating? Did you tell him that?” Her voice echoed through the large foyer, and several people turned to look at us.
“Shh, no, of course not.” Dammit, Dad. While I was genuinely happy for his surprise visit, it couldn’t have happened at a worse time. “He saw us close and holding hands. You know he’s old fashioned when it comes to romance and he jumped to the wrong conclusion. To him, that’s too intimate unless we’re in a serious relationship.”
She let out a long, low groan. “Jake, I can’t do this. Especially after Friday night. It’s still too raw, too soon.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll set him straight.”
“Thank you.” She breathed in and out slowly. She rubbed her hands over her face, and I could see her silent scream into her hands. “We better get back upstairs. The staff meeting starts in five.”
“Okay.” I watched her head to the elevators with her head down. This was hard on her, but it was hard on me too. Finding a balance between giving her the time she needed while protecting my heart was not going to be easy. I took a deep breath and followed her back upstairs.
So much for stepping out and getting some fresh air to clear my head. The silence between us as we rode up the elevator spoke volumes and it made me that much more tense. Today was not my day, and I was ready to go home, and pour myself a stiff drink. If only that was an option.