Page 68 of The Perfect Wrong

Part of me wants to rush over and tell him his new wife is a complete whackadoodle. The rest of me is too gobsmacked to process what just flipping happened.

“Delia, hi. Sure hope we didn’t ruin any big party plans you had by coming home early,” he says softly.

I force a smile and shake my head.

Evie shoots me another look like a scolded cat behind him and then slips past us without saying a word.

Dad tries to reach for her, to rub her shoulder on her way out, but she throws him off like he’s part spider.

I’ll never understand how easily he looks the other way. He gives me a smile that mostly hides his sadness.

Mostly.

“How’s the big paper coming? You need any help with ideas?”

I roll my eyes.

“What? You’re telling me you’re too smart for your old man?” he teases, walking in and sitting on my bed.

Dad always loved helping with my homework when I was little, undercutting the private tutors he shelled out good money for. He’s kept up the habit all through college, and he hasn’t taken the hint no matter how many times I turn him down.

I have a funny feeling I’ll be forever sixteen in his eyes, even when I’m about to graduate and get a big girl job. Right now, that’s looking like abigif.

“Working on it. Definitely making some good progress,” I lie. “So, did you really come home early just for business? Or is it something else?”

I sit down on the bed next to him, laying one hand on his shoulder.

He looks more tense than usual.

At first, I didn’t notice the dark shadows under his eyes, but now I can’t miss them.

Ouch.

I haven’t seen him looking like this since all the shakeups and mergers in the airlines during the last recession, when I was just a little girl.

Maybe not since Mom walked out.

It has to be her.

I want to curse Evie to the lowest tier of hell.

Whatever stops her before she leaves Dad’s poor glass heart in smithereens.

Honestly, I don’t know how he’ll survive another breakup...

“Just between us, it was mainly for Evie’s sake. Travel can be...rather taxing on her health. She’s still technically in recovery,” he says softly. “Say, I got your text this morning. We’re running a lot of extra routes to Las Vegas this summer. How does a little getaway there sound? Maybe a little fun will help you get your creative juices going—just don’t let the slots and poker tables rob you blind.”

Vegas.

I’ve only been there a few times, and never as a grown woman, ready and willing to let loose.

“...you know, I might take you up on that. I’ll see if Marnie wants to come. Seems like a place where you need a partner in crime, right?”

He stands up and slaps me on the back.

“That’s my girl! It’s certainly a place where you shouldn’t be alone. I’ll have the arrangements ironed out just as soon as you give the word. Until then, try to get some studying in. You’re on the home stretch, Cordelia, and I’m proud of you.”

We trade grins. I give him a quick hug, holding on a little longer before he heads out the door.