AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Edwin nods. “Good. That’s good. Because I’m not willing to let go of your services yet.”
I raise my eyebrows. “What do you mean?”
“I won’t be fully satisfied until Nate is surfing again. Do you think he’s capable of that at this point?”
I chew on my lower lip. “Maybe capable, but I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“Then it’s settled. You’ll stay.”
I’m no longer hungry for this ice cream. “Edwin, that might take a lot of time to accomplish.”
“Well, you’ll obviously continue to be paid for your work and your time. I’ll even throw in a raise since you’ve been with us so long.”
My eyes widen. “That’s ridiculous!”
“Why is it ridiculous?”
“B-because–” I’m at a loss. “The work. I’m doing much less of it than I once was. It wouldn’t make sense to pay memorefor?—”
“Laney, I’m very aware of how Nate feels about you.”
I go silent.
Edwin slides his hands into the pocket of his sleek robe. “It was obvious before, and it’s even more obvious now that you’ve returned from your trip, and no one will tell me anything about what happened there.”
I begin to shake, anxiety taking hold of all my muscles. “Edwin, I’m sorry, it’s so unprofessional, it’s–”
“You think I’m upset?” Edwin gapes. “No, that’s not how I feel. Not at all.”
I suck in my lower lip.
Why in the world is he bringing it up, then?
Edwin swallows, his Adam’s apple jumping. “I, more than anyone, know how someone you love can impact your life.”
“Love?! That’s ridiculous.”
Edwin’s eyes harden on me.
Shit. Maybe that’s not ridiculous.
Does Nateloveme?
“What I mean is, sometimes you meet people for whom you want to be better. Want to grow for. You get what I’m saying?”
I shake my head. “You’re saying that because Nate might have feelings for me–”
“Hedoeshave feelings for you.”
“You don’tknowthat.”
“I’m his father, of course I know.”
I’m taken aback by how proud he sounds.
In the quiet moments, Nate has shared with me all the pain experienced by his distance from Edwin through his life. Six months has done a lot, but it can’t just erase all the pain.
I wish I could tell Nate how Edwin is speaking about him now. With a love alighting in his chest that even I can feel.
