a smirk that’s completely intentional. And then I give him the finger. Because I’m twelve.
Mia takes me to her office, which is floor-to-ceiling glass. The first thing she does is lower the blinds so no one can see in. I lean against her desk and drop my backpack to the floor. “I can’t believe you’re here,” she says, and she’s so much of everything all at once.
I take her hand and pull her between my legs, my palm going to her jaw. “I hate that you’re having a rough time. So whatever I can do, I’m here, okay?”
“When do you leave?” she asks, big brown eyes blinking up at me.
“Sunday.”
Her smile is slow as she leans into me, her arms trapped between us. She rests her head against my chest, saying, “I just need you to hold me for, like, five hours.”
I chuckle, tightening my arms around her and kissing the top of her head. “Anything you need, Mia.” I only get to hold her for a few seconds before her door bursts open, and her dad appears. He’s looking down at his phone as he mumbles, “Do you want to tell me why people are talking about you almost cry…” He trails off when he looks up and sees me.
“Hey…” he says, eyeing me sideways while Mia pulls away, stands taller. “What are you doing here?”
He offers me his fist for a bump, so I return it, saying, “Mia was having a—”
“He just came to surprise us,” Mia says, cutting me off.
“Wait.” I look between Mia and Joseph and settle on Mia. “You were crying?”
Joseph closes the door behind him and heaves out a sigh. “What’s going on, Mia?”
“Nothing,” Mia replies, crossing her arms. “I’m fine.”
Joseph looks above Mia’s head at me, and I shake my head. Mia must notice because she turns to glare at me, then goes back to her dad. “I’m fine,” she repeats.
He watches her a moment as if trying to read between her words. “Mia…” It’s almost threatening, the way he says her name.
Mia’s arms fall to her sides. “I’m just overwhelmed, okay? I haven’t had as much time to work on the Ludlow account, and I had other work I had to submit for class, so I’m a little behind because Benny’s been sick and—”
Joseph’s nostrils flare before saying, “And you didn’t think you could come to me and tell me?”
“I don’t want special treatment because I’m your daughter!”
Joseph scoffs. “If any of my employees came to me and said their kid was sick and needed an extension, I’d give them a break. Sure, maybe not before, but now? Come on, Mia, you know better!” He runs a hand over his face, trying to settle his irritation.
“I didn’t want to disappoint you.” Mia’s voice is so quiet, I barely hear her. “I’m sorry.”
Joseph’s eyes snap to hers, and then an emotion washes over him that has his entire body relaxing. “Jesus,” he mutters. “Come here.” Mia steps forward and into her father’s arms, and he holds her, stroking the back of her head. “You will never disappoint me,” he says, just above a whisper. “I’m sorry I’ve done things in the past to make you question that.” His voice cracks with emotion on the last few words, and I feel like I should leave. Like this moment between them isn’t for my eyes and ears.
I shift, uncomfortable, and Joseph releases his daughter. “Go home,” he tells her.
“Dad, no! I can—”
“Go home,” he repeats, and it’s an order this time. “Go directly home. Do not pass the condo; do not collect a Benny.”
I crack a smile at his Monopoly pun, and Joseph notices, his eyes conveying a message I can’t decipher. “How long are you here for?” he asks me.
“Just until Sunday.”
He nods, then, settling a hand on Mia’s shoulder, he tells her, “We’ll figure out the Ludlow account on Monday. It’s not a priority. You are. Relax, take some time for yourself. I’m going to call Bernado’s and have them deliver lunch, so you better be there.”
“Dad, I—” Mia starts to protest, but Joseph’s already on his phone, tapping it a few times, and then bringing it to his ear.
“Go home, Mia,” he says, halfway to the door. “Let Benny’s dad take care of you.”
My breath catches, and Mia gasps so loud it rings in my ears.
Joseph looks between us, his eyes narrowed. “How dumb do you think I am?” He throws in an eye-roll for good measure. “The kid’s a spitting image.”