AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m sorry. You’re right. We should have been more careful.” Even if it’s bullshit that one of the employees of the resort leaked the footage, we still should have waited to maul each other until we got inside the room.
His shoulders drop. “Why wouldn’t you tell me? I didn’t even know you were seeing someone.”
A large dose of guilt mixes in with all the other heavy feelings twisting through my ribs.
“I didn’t want you to tell me no.” My voice cracks as I say it, but we both know it’s true.
I love my dad. He’s a good parent. He’s given me a wonderful life, and we’ve always been close. But we’re a prominent family. And as much as I value his opinion, there’s a chance he would have tried to tell me I couldn’t date Luke with the whole pro-athlete connection. And even though I want to make my dad proud, I’d never break up with someone just because he didn’t like the optics. And Dad would never have given his blessing for a Vegas wedding.
His mouth goes flat, and he nods once. “Alright.”
He starts to turn like he’s going to leave without saying more, then he spots Luke.
My dad has always seemed larger than life to me, even now, but seeing him standing across from Luke, I realize that he’s not the biggest man I know. And something about that makes me sad.
“You the one who married my daughter?” Dad practically growls.
I hold my breath, unsure of how Luke is going to respond to my dad’s judgment and anger.
But Luke just nods. “Yes, sir.”
They stare at each other for a moment before Dad looks back at me. “This why you didn’t buy a place? You’re going to live with him?”
Oh fucking hell.
I glance at Luke, but, for once, his face doesn’t give anything away.
“I am,” I lie.
I’m not moving in with Luke. I was never planning to move in with Luke. But he was part of the reason I didn’t buy a house. Because a side of me was hoping that maybe, in the future, wewouldlive together. And even though I didn’t expect that to happen soon, I figured I’d find a rental once I got here and go from there.
But now I’m going to have to pretend that I’m living with Luke and not in a hotel. And honestly, I don’t know how I’m going to pull that off.
Dad’s jaw works, and Luke’s silence doesn’t make me feel any better about the success of this lie. But it’s probably better than him saying anything right now.
“This isn’t the end of this conversation.” Dad shakes his head one last time. “I’m disappointed in you, Natalie.”
I try not to flinch.
That sentence.
I’ve worked my whole life to avoid hearing that sentence.
My hummingbird cowers behind her wings, and I resist the urge to press a hand to my chest.
Dad turns away without saying more, and Luke sidesteps out of the way as my dad storms out of my office.
I force myself to meet Luke’s eyes as we wait for my dad to get farther down the hall.
When a door slams somewhere down the hallway, Luke walks toward my desk.
“So,” he says in too casual a tone. “I thought we were getting a divorce without telling anyone.”
“I know, I know.” I twist my fingers together as Luke comes to a stop across from me. “I’m sorry. I know it’s a mess, but I can’t let him cut me out of the business.”
Luke dips his chin. “The money is too good. Got it.”
“What?” I lower my brows. “No, it’s not like that.”
