Page 59 of Holiday Home 3
“You’re more than friends now,” Arnold stated.
“Yes, we are,” Liam again agreed, though he offered no additional context. This was an interrogation, and Liam was wise enough to know better than to volunteer free information.
“Are you aware that my daughter has never dated anyone before?”
For Anna and Elliot’s sakes, wherever he might now be, Liam lied. “Yes, I’m aware.”
“That makes you a rare individual. Annabelle has never shown much interest in dating.”
“I’m glad to be able to make her happy.”
The corners of Arnold’s mouth dropped about a centimeter. “Indeed, she has said the same thing. That you make her quite happy.”
“I’m thrilled to hear that,” Liam said. “I hope you are, too.”
“My daughter’s happiness is very important to me,” Arnold said, completing a hattrick of lies in a matter of just five minutes. “Understandably, since this is the first time she’s ever shown interest in a man, I am rather protective of that happiness.”
“As any good father would be.”
“So, I have a few more questions I’d like to ask of you before Claude returns with your clothes.”
Liam did not doubt that he would see neither hide nor hair of the obsequious tailor until Arnold allowed him to return, so he knew better than to try and stall for time. He’d have better luck waiting on the heat death of the universe. Steeling himself for what was to come, he answered Arnold’s request—a demand in all but name—with a nod.
“Good,” the owner and CEO of Royce Railroads said. “I’ve heard your parents are dentists. Both of them?”
“That’s right,” he confirmed. “They used to own Carr Dentistry, but they’re retired now.”
“I recall them being involved in numerous charity drives,” Arnold said, which was similar to what Anna had told him the first night they’d met. “Are you pursuing the same career path for yourself?”
“No, I don’t think so,” Liam said. “Right now, I’m spreading a lot of feelers around so I can find what’s right for me.”
“I hear Perrymont has a few decent offerings, so long as you aren’t indecisive for too long, I’m sure you’ll find what’s right for you.”
Liam knew he’d been indecisive for most of his life, even if he was now rapidly rectifying that this winter break. Usually, hearing someone point it out wouldn’t have bothered him. Yet, it did this time. When it came to romance, most people had a type. But even in everyday life, most people also had a type they just could not stand. And now, thanks to Trent Alden and Arnold Royce, he’d figured out what his was.
Pompous, condescending assholes.
“I think so too,” he said. “I’ll keep searching and studying hard until I find out what’s right for me.”
“That’s good, that’s good,” Arnold said. “But my daughter is not right for you.”
Liam blinked as all pretenses, feeble as they might have been, of this being the polite inquiry of a protective father vanished instantaneously. The man’s stern expression showed no remorse for what he said next.
“It would be best if you two part ways when you head back to Perrymont,” he continued. “You are not suitable for my daughter.”
Setting his jaw, knowing exactly what kind of man Arnold viewed assuitablefor his daughter, Liam responded just as directly. “With all due respect, that’s up to Anna. I’m happy being with her, and if she’s happy being with me, then I don’t see any reason why we aren’t ‘suitable’ for one another.”
“The fact that you can’t see the plethora of reasons why is reason enough,” Arnold said. “I don’t want my daughter wasting her time when there are far more suitable individuals on the same campus as she will be, not miles off atPerrymont.”
Liam’s temper flared, and he spat out, “Individuals like Trent Alden?”
The older man’s gaze tightened. “I heard about your altercation.”
“Altercation? We didn’t get into a fight; he was bothering Anna, and I told him to back off.”
“That is not how he sees it.”
“And how doesAnna,your daughter, see it? I’m pretty sure her version of events should be more trusted than someone as biased as Trent.”