Page 35 of Mine to Promise

“It’s a phase.” I say the only thing I can say. “He just found out he has a daughter.” My hand trembles as I put the bag on my desk. “He’ll move on as soon as everything gets settled.” The words feel like acid in my mouth. He’s going to leave in a matter of time, and I’m going to have a heartbroken girl to deal with.

“He’s buying a house,” Sofia states, and just like that I’m more surprised than I was five minutes ago. “Apparently, that is a huge deal.”

“But—” I start to say, my head spinning. “But he is a city guy.” If I could bang my head on my desk, I think I would bang it over and over again. Just like they do in the cartoons.

“People can change,” Sofia reminds me, “look at me.”

“You grew up in the South,” Clarabella throws out, laughing. “Look at me, she says,” she makes fun of her.

“On a farm,” Sofia counters, throwing her hands in the air. “This is as city as it can get.” She tilts her head to the side. “Buckle up, buttercup, and welcome to the family.”

stefano

Iwalk out of her office, the door slamming behind me, and I immediately want to go back in there. I know showing up threw her off. I knew the minute she looked up and saw me that she was not expecting me. I also knew I was going to bring her lunch, especially when she said she doesn’t eat to save time and leave early. I didn’t even know what she ate but I asked for the most popular item, so that is what she got.

My phone buzzes in my back pocket and I take it out to find a text from Matty.

Batmobile lands in ten minutes. Where are you?

On my way.

I get into the car and put the phone in the cupholder when another text comes in.

You went to take her lunch?

Yes, why?

Why? Why do you think? The question is why did you take her lunch?

She has to eat. I can’t text, I’m driving.

You have my car. I know damn well you can voice text. Pussy ass, just get here. I don’t want to have to deal with the whole family when they aren’t even here for me.

I don’t bother even answering him because I’m at the private airport in a matter of four minutes. I get out of the car and look around to see Matty standing by the chain-link fence that encloses the area. “Why does everything take four minutes to get to?”

“Small town,” he mumbles, looking up from his phone. “The most I’m in my car is fifteen minutes and that’s if I’m downtown.” He’s about to say something else but stops when we see the plane slowly coming to a stop near the fence. The phone buzzes in both our hands.

Uncle Matthew:

We have arrived.

I look at Matty, who looks at me. “Does he think we can’t see the plane?” He chuckles as the plane shuts off and the side door of the plane opens.

“Wait, I didn’t know he was coming,” I say, looking at Matty, who just shakes his head and chuckles. The door to the plane opens and the stairs come out. My father is the first one to stick his head out and walk down the four stairs before my mother joins him. He always walks out first so he can hold her hand once she gets to the last step. I look behind her to see her best friend, my aunt Karrie, get out followed by my uncle Matthew, then my uncle Max, and finally my aunt Allison.

“Oh my God,” I exhale to the six of them once they reach the gate and the door opens. “Is anyone else in the plane?”

“No,” Matthew says from behind my father, throwing his head back and laughing. “Viktor was going to come but he had something.”

“You know he doesn’t go anywhere without me,” Uncle Max says, “and usually I would opt out, but this.” He shakes his head and laughs. “I’m not missing this.”

“I’m here to make sure that everyone is safe and in case I’m supposed to bond anyone out,” Aunt Allison states. “Grandpa Cooper spoke through clenched teeth.” She raises her eyebrows at me. “He’s expecting a phone call.”

“I thought—” I start to say to my father as he walks to me and slaps my shoulder, followed by my mother, who just glares at me. I bend to kiss her cheek, and she kisses me softly, even though she is pissed at me.

“That was your first mistake,” Matty mumbles from beside me, “you thought.” He smirks at me and is shocked when Matthew slaps his shoulder. “Ouch. I didn’t do anything wrong. He’s the one who, you know.” He then puts his hands together and looks like he’s rocking a baby. I push his shoulder to tell him to shut up.

“Did you think she wasn’t going to call me?” My aunt Karrie moves my mother to the side to stand in front of me. “I’m her best friend.” She smiles at me and I lean down and kiss her cheek. “Who else do you think is going to reel her in?” she asks me, and I didn’t even think about that part of it.