mine.
I look at him, a lump forming in my throat. “Am I that transparent?”
He chuckles and puts his arm around me, pulling me closer to place a kiss on the top of my head. “I know your mom and I have put too much on you. And I apologize for that. I think we just started living day by day and you handled it all so well. Took the reins without much guidance or grief. But we should’ve noticed and done something about it. As sad as it is, it was Seth’s appearance in your life that made us look harder at everything.”
“Seth? But you hate him.”
He chuckles and motions toward a bench. “I don’t hate Seth. Hell, I don’t even hate Chris. Not anymore, at least.”
“But I thought you think the engagement—”
“Is fake. You guys concocted the whole thing. I’m not stupid, Evan.”
I don’t know what to say. I feel more put on the spot in this moment than I have the entire time we’ve been lying.
“Right?” He dips his head to meet my eyes.
I nod, looking at the lake. “I’m sorry. I can’t even tell you how it all happened. It sort of snowballed. But we really wanted the show and the show wouldn’t do it until we were partners and we thought—”
He places his hand on my shaking leg. “It should have never come to that. Your mother and I should’ve made it easier for you to come to us. To explain what a great business opportunity it was. We should’ve been able to see past the fact that we were doing it with the Andrews. I’m sorry we weren’t what you needed. But I will say I’m not mad that you’re with Seth rather than that Brock Floyd.”
I laugh and throw up my hands.
“The guy is a loser and he didn’t appreciate you. Now Seth…”
“It’s fake, Dad. It was all an act.” The guilt lifts as the words fall from my lips, but a deep sadness settles in at calling Seth’s and my relationship what it is.
“Fake.” He shrugs. “An act?” He shakes his head. “That boy loves you and I’m willing to bet our recipe that you love him too.”
I say nothing. I’m well aware of my feelings for Seth—I just don’t want to admit to them. Because if I put it out there, then I need to do something about them. And I have no idea how he really feels about me.
“Yeah, I liked calling your bluff, but I think by doing that, you two just clung closer and now I’m really in jeopardy of having the Andrews as in-laws. Damn Chris, it was his idea. He thought Seth would fold.” He chuckles.
“Do you think… I mean, if we did make this thing real, could you accept it?”
He nods. “I don’t think we’ll ever be best friends again, but your mother’s been keeping her friendship with Deb for twenty years. They always were smarter than Chris and me.” He leans forward on the bench and fishes out the contract that’s sticking out of my bag. “But you need to know, this will change things.” He holds it out. “I’m betting money Seth knows nothing about this?”
I shake my head and he sighs.
“Not good, Evan. You guys were partners in this. I’m not the best example, I know, but you owed it to him to tell him.”
“I just wanted to hear what they said first. I have no idea if they’re offering Andrews Bagel something too.”
He raises his eyebrows. “I’m fairly sure that Nick Klein guy was only interested in you.”
“And our cream cheese,” I add.
He shrugs. “Both, but he seemed to put extra attention on you. Listen, you’re twenty-nine now. I think it’s time you do something for you. So…” He hands me the contract. “If you want us to do this, then I’m in. But I want you to think hard and make this decision, because this could change your relationship with Seth. Especially if he gets wind of this before you tell him.”
He pats my knee and stands. “I have a lot of regrets in my life. I’m not proud of some of my actions. It was a quick revelation when I had the heart attack that you don’t have all the time you think you do to make things right. You’re supposed to teach your children to learn from your mistakes. I don’t think I’ve done a good job of that. Until now. Make this decision for yourself. And hell, this