Page 14 of Until Now
“Good morning, Daddy,” I join him outside.
“Buongiorno, piccola.” He looks up from the newspaper, an article about some proposal for a new building downtown — a.k.a. the urbanization of our small town. It’ll never pass. Haven isn’t exactly a small town, but it’s not a big city, and the people here like it that way. “You’re in a better mood this morning.” I mumble an agreement and he folds his newspaper giving me his undivided attention. “Are you doing okay?”
“Of course, why do you ask?”
“Well, for starters you didn’t even tell me you were dating again. Imagine my shock when your mother told me you were bringing someone. And not just anyone, the guy you’ve been dating.”
“Daddy…”
“Look, you don’t have to tell me every little detail, but a heads-up would be nice.”
“I’m sorry, but after Lee—”
“I told your mother inviting them was a bad idea, but you know how she is.” Daddy offers a sympathetic smile. He does his best to manage Mother, but he can only do so much. “If it was up to me, we’d never see that boy again.”
“I’m sure we know someone who can make that happen.”
“I plead the fifth,” Daddy laughs. Standing from his chair, he presses a kiss to the top of my head putting an end to our conversation. Knowing Daddy, he’s about to lock himself in the office and put in a few hours of work before the Madigans show up. It’s not unusual for him to sneak away and handle some business while on vacation. It was something Kai and I knew better than to question growing up. “Good morning, Nick,” he says, opening the door.
“Morning sir.” Nick grimaces when Daddy clamps a hand down on his shoulder.
“Relax, boy! You’re stiff as a log. You sleep on the floor or something?”
“Or something,” Nick mumbles, earning a warning glare from me.
“Well, if you’re looking for a place to unwind, this is it.” He turns to me, “Go easy on your mom, Nin. She’s happy you’re here.”
“That’s why she invited the Madigans, right?” I pop the final piece of muffin into my mouth.
“Have fun today, Nick. But, don’t let her take you out on those trails, wouldn’t want to run you off just yet.” Daddy shares a smile with Nick before going inside.
“You are pretty stiff,” I say when Nick sits in the chair.
“So are you.”
I roll my eyes over my mug. “You don’t know me. I am not—”
“Daddy’s girl, gets everything she wants, just say the word and it’s yours. Hell, you were probably handed Rosecliffe on a silver platter.”
“I was not.” Nick raises a suspicious brow. If I had a penny for every time someone accused me of buying my way into college, I’d double my net worth. “I did well in school. Really well. Everyone is so surprised by that… Now, don’t get me wrong, I liked to have a good time and I went to my fair share of parties. And sure, the life comes with some perks, but I don’t live off my family name. I’ve worked for what I have.”
“That doesn’t mean—”
“My dad did not buy my way into school.”
“He didn’t pay for it?”
“Of course, he paid for it, that doesn’t mean he bought my acceptance letter.” My tone is clipped. “I learned how to balance work and pleasure.”
“Whatever you say, Dee.”
“Dee?”
“Yeah, thought I should come up with a nickname for you. Honey and Dear just sounded too synthetic, and it’s too early for baby. So, I thought why not call you Dee.”
Dee? That’s a new one.
“Short for Davina?” He nods and a smile spreads across my lips, I kind of like it.