feeling good about something. I definitely want to keep her as the topic, at least for the moment.
“How is Mom? I haven’t talked to her in over a week. Is she busy at school?”
My father nods and his expression changes to that one he always wears when he talks about my mother’s work. As much as he has no real idea what she’s working on when it comes to the specifics of her research, he’s proud of her and that shows all over his face.
“She is. I’ll tell her to call you when she gets a chance. You know how she is when she’s in the middle of her research. I’m sure you’ll hear from her soon, though.”
The two of us sit there with his desk separating us, two men looking at one another and seeing very similar faces. My father and I look so alike that no one could ever wonder if we’re related. Like him, I have dark hair and brown eyes, different from his brothers and their blue eyes. We take after my grandmother and her side of the family, while Cassian and Kane take after my grandfather’s side.
All of this wanders through my mind as I sit and wait for him to lower the boom on why he insisted on dragging me in here to talk to me instead of just letting me work like I’m supposed to. I’m assuming I’m going to get the lecture about not being late, but with my father, you never know what he’s going to be unhappy about.
“So I hear you have a girlfriend,” he finally says, breaking the silence and stunning me at the same time.
Then again, in this family, nothing should surprise me, including Cassian blabbing like some old gossip to my father about what happened at CK the other night. Or was it Alex? He seems to be full of opinions on my life lately. Maybe he shared some of those with my father.
“Really? The March family gossip mill running full steam these days?”
He throws his head back and laughs at my snappy question. “You know how this family is, Cade. I saw your uncle and Alex yesterday and Cassian mentioned to me that you were at the restaurant to see some girl. From what Alex says, she’s a gifted chef. Impressive.”
Great. So it was both of them. Like father, like son. At least in their case.
“Is that what you called me in to talk about? Because I’m not sure I’d call her my girlfriend. She’s someone I’m interested in, and yes, she is talented at her job.”
Even as the words leave my mouth, I know I’m acting far too defensive about Hailey. The gossip grapevine in my family is nothing new. Hell, I take part in it from time to time myself. It’s not really a shock that my uncle or even Alex would mention my interest in Hailey.
“No, it’s not,” my father says in a much harsher voice than just a few moments ago. “I just liked hearing that you were seeing someone who is so accomplished.”
“Since I usually just see untalented sluts?”
My father frowns and lets out another sigh. “That’s not what I was saying. You always think I’m attacking your choices. All I was saying about this girl is I’m glad you’re seeing someone who is so successful. You deserve that.”
Before I can stop myself, I say, “She isn’t successful. She makes desserts at a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant to help her parents with their business.”
I don’t know why I tell him that. Not that every word of it isn’t technically true, but it makes Hailey sound like so much less than she is.
“Well, Alex raved about her. He says she’s a first-class chef.”
“Well, if Alex says that, then it must be true.”
This meeting has quickly gone to hell, and for possibly the first time in my life, I can’t blame my father for that. I don’t know why, but hearing him mention what Alex thinks of Hailey makes my blood boil. I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks of her. Let them not think of her at all. That would be even better.
A look of sadness permeates my father’s expression now as he stares across the desk at me. “Does it always have to be a pitched battle between us, Cade? I just wanted you to know that I’m happy you’re seeing someone so wonderful. What’s the problem in that?”
I turn away, hating how disappointed he looks at this moment. “No. Sorry.