Lured into Love (Blossom in Winter #2) - Melanie Martins Page 0,96
Dad sitting at the table, eating a slice of lasagna. To my surprise, he’s dressed pretty casually in a gray sweater, sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
“Hey,” he greets me, a welcoming smile on his face. “How was it?”
Why is everyone asking me that? Taking a seat in front of him, I simply say, “It was fine.”
Janine puts a slice of lasagna on my plate, and my mouth can’t help but water at how delicious it looks. “Thank you.” Then a quiet silence settles between us as I start eating.
“Matthew seems to be a nice guy,” Dad comments.
As I’m not interested in hearing anything coming from his mouth, I say, “We are friends.” And just to make sure he understands that, I repeat the word. “Friends.”
“I know. And I’m glad you have friends like him.”
“He was a Bernie supporter,” I tell him. And, to be honest, I don’t even know why I mentioned that. Maybe to scare him? Reveling in his expression, I add, “And he hates Wall Street and big tech.”
“I can’t blame him.” I roll my eyes at his statement. When Dad likes someone, there’s nothing anyone can say or do to dissuade him. “The boy has integrity. I admire that.”
Letting out a sigh, I say, “I’m glad you like my friend. May I eat in peace now?”
“I’m glad you are eating,” Dad says with a contemplative smile. Then there’s silence, but his fingers start tapping lightly on the table as he seems to be pondering something. “Why don’t you invite him over to have dinner with us tomorrow night?”
“Huh?” That’s all I manage to say before swallowing my bite. “You wanna have dinner with Matthew?”
“Why not? You used to invite Emma over, no?”
My jaw instantly drops, and I blink twice. “Um, yeah, but…” But he wants to meet Matthew? Just a year ago, Dad hated anyone of the opposite sex that got close to me, let alone was my friend, and now he wants to meet Matthew Bradford? What happened to him? A brain transplant? “Alright…”
“When are you gonna call him?” he asks.
What the heck? Can’t I eat my damn lasagna in peace? “Um, I guess after I eat?”
Dad glances impatiently at his watch. “Do you mind doing it now? I need to know before going out if we’re having dinner together tomorrow or another day.”
Blowing out a breath, I say, “Fine.” And I grab my phone to call Matthew. I then wait and wait for him to pick up.
“Hey,” Matthew greets with a voice warmer than usual. “What’s up?”
“Hey,” I greet back, and my tone comes out annoyingly sweet. Aiming for a more casual one, I clear my throat and start again. “Hey, um, look, are you available tomorrow evening?”
“Eh… You already miss me that much?”
I crack a laugh at his comment. “Ha ha. So funny…” But then I look up at Dad, who’s patiently waiting, and he’s not having a laugh, no. “Um, my dad would love to meet you and wanted you to have dinner with us tomorrow night.”
“Oh…” Now I’m the one who’s left Matthew totally speechless. “Your dad wants to meet me?”
“Yeah, he seems to like you.”
Matthew takes a bit longer to reply. “Okay, well, that’s great. Eh, what time?”
I look up at Dad, and he shows me eight fingers. “Is eight p.m. okay for you?” I ask Matthew. And before he answers, I decide to reassure him, and say, “It’s gonna be super casual. Like, just the three of us at home.”
“Alright, sure. See ya tomorrow, then.”
“See ya.” And I hang up. Then, looking up at Dad, I say, “Done. Tomorrow at eight.”
“Great.” He stands up and walks in my direction. Bending over, he softly kisses the top of my head. And his affection is totally unexpected. “I’m very proud of you.” And his compassionate, mellow voice is too.
“Proud of me? For what?” I ask him.
“For recovering. You’re being very strong.”
I feel the urge to remind him I shouldn’t be recovering from a breakup he insisted on and supported, but instead I do none of that. I’m tired of our toxic fights. So, choosing peace over hate, I swallow all my anger, smile at him, and politely say, “Thanks.”
“Don’t forget, the seventeenth is our annual investors dinner. So have your financial plan ready by then. Mike and a few prospects might ask some questions about it.” I do my best to remain as stoic as possible, and to not roll my eyes at him. Jeez, I had nearly forgotten that event.