by Anna Albo
She smiled and pulled me into a hug. “I’m so glad you forgive me for this, because I’m about to piss you off again.”
I inched out of her embrace and gave her a hard look. “What did you do?”
“You want me to be happy, right?”
A pit formed in my stomach. “If you are sneaking around with Paul, I’ll kill you.”
She tapped her fingers on the table and my anxiety level grew by the second. “No, I’m not sneaking around with Paul. I’m not sneaking around with anyone, but . . . I’m going out with Ben tonight.”
I wanted to strangle her. “Ben Morrow? The guy who’s been making me crazy for the last few months? The loser who tried to steal my girlfriend away from me?”
“I think you’re being dramatic there. I highly doubt he was trying to steal Emma.”
“So you went into the lion’s den for me and fell for the lion?”
“Weird, huh?” she said, her voice squeaking out.
“I’m still going to kill you,” I said with a forced smile as Mom passed us by. She was on the phone and wasn’t paying attention to what I was saying.
“Think of it this way; if he’s dating me, he won’t be sniffing around Emma. It’s a win-win situation.”
“I don’t know who’s worse. Paul, Steve or Ben Fucking Morrow.”
“Give Ben a shot.”
I let out a huff. “You sure got over Paul Andrews fast.”
She rolled her eyes. “I thought Paul was a good-looking guy. I still think that. What happened just happened,” Genie said, taking on a serious tone. “It was stupid, the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. And I’m glad it didn’t get far.”
“Because Emma caught you.”
“Anyway, I know you’ll come around. You want me to be happy. So how about some ring shopping?” she asked in a pathetic attempt to change the direction of the conversation.
“I won’t be needing you for that. Besides, I’m going to Pine Falls to ask for Paul’s permission to marry his daughter and you’re definitely not invited to that.”
“That’s so sweet. And old fashioned.”
“Thanks . . . I think.”
“So you’re sure you don’t want me to help?”
“I’m pretty sure you’ve done enough.”
“If you change your mind . . .”
I got up from the table. “Nope. No chance I’m changing my mind. I’ve barely forgiven you.”
I WAS PENT UP WITH bundled nerves as I drove to Pine Falls. I could have called Paul in advance, but did he deserve it? Nah. He’d made out with my sister, so treating him with a huge amount of respect wasn’t at the top of my list. He was lucky I was even bothering with him.
I pulled up to the gravel parking lot of Andrew’s Antiques. A few cars dotted the parking lot and when I went through the front door, a bell chimed. I saw Henry first and he furrowed his eyebrows. He came over to me right away.
“Hello, Henry.”
“What’s wrong?” Emma’s grandfather asked, his face etched with worry.
“Nothing. I came by to talk to Emma’s dad.”
Henry’s face eased a bit. “You want to talk to Paul? Not about what happened with your sister, right? I don’t think we need to revisit that.”
“No, I’m here to talk to him about something else. Is he here?”
“In the office. I don’t need to referee anything, do I?”
“I hope not.”
“Okay,” he said reluctantly. “The office is through the stock room door and to your right.”
“Thanks.”
I walked slowly, taking in a few deep breaths. Why was I nervous? It wasn’t like what Paul said would make a difference. If he didn’t think it was a good idea, I didn’t care. I didn’t think Emma would care either. As I slipped through the door, I could hear Paul talking on the phone about an armoire. As I neared the door and stood in its threshold, Paul looked up. His blue eyes opened wide and then he returned to his call, wrapping it up in an instant. He hung up and stood.
“Hi, Zach.”
“Paul.”
“Come in,” he said nervously. “What can I do for you?”
I shut the door behind me and took a seat. Paul did the same. “I’m not here to talk about Genie. I’m here about me and Emma.”
Paul nodded, seemingly relieved. “Okay. Are things going well with the two of you?”
“I’d say so. Look, I don’t want to draw this out. I’m here because I love your daughter and I want to marry her.” There. All done. After my experience with my parents, I decided to get straight to the point.
He stared at me for a long time, no reaction at all. “Is Emma pregnant? You guys haven’t gotten yourself in trouble, have you?”
Why was everyone jumping to that conclusion? “No, Emma isn’t pregnant. I love her and want to spend the rest of my life with her. And before you freak out like my parents did, I don’t want us to rush this. I think it’s important that we both finish school. What I do want her to know is that I’m committed to her.”
Paul nodded. “You’re both so young. You’ve got your whole lives ahead of you.”
I quelled my annoyance. “I’m here for your blessing.”
Paul let out a deep breath. “Zach, you have my blessing, but the only thing I want to say is not to rush. Emma loves you, she’s going to New York with you, so why do you need to rush into an engagement?”
“Why not?”
“She’s twenty years old. There’s a whole world out there. You are her first boyfriend. Look, I want her to live life to the fullest. I worry that . . . she’s going to be the loyal wife while you have some grand life. I don’t want her in the shadows.”
Wow. I hadn’t expected that. Of all the things Paul Andrews could have come up with, that wasn’t one I’d considered. “You think she’s going to become some kind of Stepford wife?”
“Maybe. I worry that she’ll let you shine and she’ll fade away.”
“I’d never let her do that. She has hopes and dreams and I’d never snuff those out.”
“You say that now, but I hope you stick to those words five or ten years from now.”
“You have my word.”
We both stood and he held out his hand. I shook it.
“You both have my support and my blessings. And Zach, I appreciate you coming out here. Thank you.”
I nodded and left the office. I ran into Henry on the way out and we chatted for a moment, but I didn’t spill the beans. He’d have to wait until everyone else found out.
As I got to my car I made a call to Brett. He answered right away.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“I need a favor. A really big favor. You need to help me pick something out.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Emma
Grandpa summoned me to Pine Falls a week later, and when Grandpa called, I answered. Zach and I drove out there for the day and Grandpa gave me a suffocating hug when he saw me.
“All right, enough of this nonsense with your dad. It’s time for it to end,” Grandpa said, taking my hand and leading me to the sofa. Wendy pulled Zach into the den to show him wedding preparations, which I’m sure Zach dreaded.
“Grandpa, I’m still mad.”
“I know and I remind your dad every day at the shop. But he’s your father, and I know you love him. This whole situation is killing him.”
“He should have thought about me when he started sneaking around with my friend.”
“Your dad’s never been known to make the best decisions. I want you to know I don’t condone what he did and I’ve given him the gears about it. He feels terrible.”
“I’m not going to just forgive him. Grandpa, my best friend!”
He patted my hand and gave me a reluctant smile. “Honey, do you remember when you were five or six years old? And you and your dad moved into your own place? You might have been too young to remember that.”
“I remember.” How could I forget? We went from eating hot
meals thoughtfully prepared by Grandma to takeout, mac and cheese, frozen pizzas and lots and lots of sandwiches.
“There’s a reason you left. You see, your dad was popular is school. The girls loved him. We were always shooing young ladies from the house. But after you came along, we told your dad he had to grow up, be an adult. At first, he behaved himself, but then the girls started coming around again. More and more he was relying on me and your grandmother to take care of you. Well, as much as you were the apple of our eyes, we didn’t sign up for that, so we gave him an ultimatum. Take care of his responsibilities, or leave. He said he would smarten up, but it didn’t take long and the girls were back. Yes, we wanted him to have a life, but it was more important that he be a good father. It killed us, but we made good on our promise, and we asked him to leave. Your grandmother cried for weeks.
“Your dad struggled on his own with you. For a year he stuck it out, tried to prove he could take care of you, but when he came back home there were rules. No more revolving door of girls, that if he wanted to settle down, he had to get serious. And I think that’s where your dad veered off course. He went to the opposite extreme. He still dated. Don’t think your dad led some celibate life. He had girlfriends all the time, but he vowed that they wouldn’t affect your lives until he was sure he’d met a woman he wanted to spend his life with. I suppose that never happened.”
I shook my head. “What? Dad was dating the whole time?”
“Your dad was always very discreet. He didn’t want you to become attached to any of his lady friends because he never met one that was right for him. None of them were Meredith.”
The news bowled me over. “All those times I begged dad to date, he was?”
“Almost always. He dated your fifth grade teacher for nearly a year. You were in middle school by then,” Grandpa said that last part in response to my bulging eyes.
“What? Grandpa, how did I not know?”
“He kept it all under wraps. I think he thought I didn’t know half the time.”
“And here I thought that Dad was living like a monk. And all along he was dating right under my nose? And he dated Ms. Halischuk for a year?”
“I suppose you don’t want to know about his dalliance with your tenth grade teacher.”
“Grandpa!”
“I couldn’t stop him, but I also made it clear that I didn’t like it. It was around that time he became more secretive about it. As for Genie, I didn’t suspect a thing. I would have put an end to it. Now having said all that, are you going to hate him forever? That’s not healthy.”
“I don’t hate him. I feel stupid, though.”
Grandpa’s blue eyes warmed. “No, don’t feel stupid,” he said, putting his arm around me and kissing my cheek. “They weren’t trying to do that. They were horny, that’s all.”
I stifled a giggle. Hearing Grandpa say the word horny made me smile. “It’s still not right.”
“No, it’s not, but he’s the only dad you have and I know you love him. Don’t waste time being angry.”
“Can I be a little angry?”
Grandpa looked up to the ceiling and smiled. “Okay, but just a little.”
“Can I ask about Meredith?”
“Of course you can, but I don’t know if I have the answers.”
“Do you think he’s holding out for her?”
Grandpa pondered for a moment but shook his head. “He may miss what he thinks they could have had, but no, he knows Meredith is happy and has moved on with her life.”
“It would be nice if he met someone who wasn’t one of my friends or former teachers.”
Grandpa laughed. “Yes, that would be nice.”
“I’ll go see him tonight. When he’s done work.”
“That’s my girl. And give him hell but then make up.”
I SHOWED UP TO THE house unannounced, wanting to catch Dad off guard. I nearly scared him when I came through the front door and found him in the kitchen heating up a frozen dinner. His eyes grew wide and his body froze.
“Hi, Dad.”
“Emma, why are you here? Wait, I didn’t mean for it to come off that way. I’m surprised, that’s all. I’m really happy to see you.”
“I came to see Grandpa and he thought it would be nice if I came around.”
We stood across from each other, at two separate ends of the kitchen. Neither of us had moved an inch since I came in.
“Emma, I’m sorry. Genie and I were nothing. It was all nothing. What you saw . . . I know it looked bad, but we didn’t go as far as you think.”
“Dad, she was my best friend. One of the few friends I had.”
“I knew it was wrong. I knew it was a bad idea, that she was your friend and she was far too young for me. Emma, I’ll be sorry for the rest of my life.”
I took a seat at one of the kitchen chairs and Dad moved slowly towards the table and took another seat.
“Do you like her, Dad?”
“She’s a wonderful girl, but I don’t see a future with her. She’s like you, starting the journey of her life. I’m way past that. And I let things happen that shouldn’t have happened.”
I swallowed hard. “I’m trying to understand it. Why you both did this.”
“If I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t have pursued it. A lot of people got hurt and a lot more could have been hurt. I’m sorry, Emma.”
I tried to wipe away an imaginary spot on table. “Grandpa told me about Ms. Halischuk. And Ms. Sanchez. Dad, they were my teachers.”
Dad closed his eyes and groaned. “Your grandfather had a lot of things to tell you.”
“Why would you date them?”
“They weren’t your teachers anymore.”
“But they were my teachers.” For a moment, I thought about each of them. Too bad they didn’t pay as much attention to me as they had to Dad. “It’s like you’ve had this crazy secret life.”
“All the relationships were casual. If any had been serious, you would have been the first to know.”
“Do you still like Genie?”
“She’s a sweet girl.”
“Dad, I want you to be happy, but Genie?”
“Kiddo, it’s done. We were finished before we started.”
“I don’t want you to ever keep anything from me again.”
“I promise.”
“And I want you to be happy. With whoever it is.” I caught myself. Was I making a concession? Giving him an opening to resume things with her? I did want Dad to be happy and if it turned out that it was with Genie, we’d cross that bridge later.
“The next woman I date will be Emma-approved. And it won’t be Genie.”
I reached over and hugged him.
We were all moving on.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Emma
“Pack a bag,” Zach said after my classes the following Friday.
“Where are we going?”
“The poshest hotel in the state of Minnesota to celebrate our one-year anniversary.”
I bit my lower lip. I completely forgot. “Oh, okay. Uh, I’ll pack, but I didn’t get anything.”
A sly grin formed on Zach’s. “It’s actually Sunday. I can’t believe you forgot the date that you seduced me. Then declared me your boyfriend?”
“Kind of?”
“Isn’t it a good thing one of us remembered?” he said, pulling me into his arms and kissing me. “Now go pack a bag and hurry up.”
I pulled out my overnight bag and scanned my clothes for something to bring. I packed a simple black dress and heels that could transition to something dressy, some casual clothes to hang out in, and the only cute and somewhat sexy bra and panty set I owned. I didn’t have much of anything that was sexy, but Zach didn’t seem to mind. I grabbed my toiletries and a book just in case.
Fifteen minutes later I was ready to go.
“Where are we staying?”
“The Cedars. Deluxe suite.”
“You have to stop spoiling me.”
“I’ll never stop.”
The drive was less than fifteen minutes. Zach left the keys with a valet and we went inside. He checked us in and we were on our way to the top floor.
“I’m not asking how much this room is.”
“Good. Besides, it’s only one night.”
“Don’t your parents go through your credit card statements and question anything?”
“I don’t spend as much as you think.”
“How are you going to adjust to having a job one day?”
He gave me a mock annoyed look and I tried not to laugh. “I’ve had jobs before.”
“Really? Where and when?”
“I worked some summers.”
“Some summers? Any recent summers? And what was the job?”
“I helped coach hockey. A team of ten-year-olds.”
“During the summer? And were you paid for this job?” I asked.
“It was volunteer work. It looked good on my law school application.”
“Any real jobs? The kind that pay you money?”
“I worked in my dad’s campaign office for a bit. That was paid.”
“How about a job that wasn’t volunteer and your dad wasn’t the boss?”
“I worked at a sporting goods store for a few months, but they kept giving me shitty shifts so I left.”
“Okay, I’m going to stop torturing you, because I think this is more painful for me.”
Zach swiped the keycard and we stepped into our room. I whistled and took it in. The suite, mostly in whites and beiges, had its own sitting room and the bedroom had a huge king-sized bed and en-suite bathroom complete with Jacuzzi.
“I will never get used to this,” I said, throwing down my bag.
“What would you say to some room service? I’d like to have you all to myself tonight.”
“I’m okay with that.”
“Why don’t you get the bubble bath started and I’ll order something? I’ll tell them to give us an hour.”
“I love that idea, Mr. Walker.”
I changed into one of the fluffy white bathrobes provided and filled the tub. I smelled a few of the bubble baths in a neat little basket and settled on a lavender and lemongrass scent. I dimmed the lights and tied up my hair in a messy bun. I set my robe to the side and slipped into the water. It felt good. I rested my head against one of the pillows and closed my eyes.