“It’s a work day.” I cross my arms over my chest.
“Dad!”
I know when I’ve been beat. “Fine. I’ll put the groceries away. Then it’s back to work.”
I don’t miss the way Tessa rolls her eyes, but fortunately, she doesn’t push the issue. Instead, the two of them sit down at the kitchen table and start chatting.
I try not to listen, really I do. But when I hear Tessa ask Lilly how things are working out, my ears perk up.
“It’s...” Lilly hesitates. “It’s the change I needed.”
“You reallydidneed to get out of there. I’m glad this is working out.”
“For now,” Lilly adds quickly.
“For however long,” Tessa says. “How does it feel now that you’ve had some time away from him?”
Him?
Who has Lilly had time away from?
I know it’s not really any of my business,but I can’t help but wonder. She said there wasn’t a boyfriend, but is there an ex? Is she trying to get away from someone? If so, why?
I have too many questions. But all I can do is listen.
“It’s good,” Lilly says. “But still a little?—”
“You know what you need?” Tessa interrupts her, all but jumping out of her chair. “You need a distraction.”
I hesitate, a can of tomatoes in my hand. I do not like where this is going.
“Preferably a hot one,” Tessa continues, and I drop the can.
Both girls turn toward me. “Sorry,” I mumble. “It slipped.” I turn my attention back to the groceries, and they continue talking as if I’m not there.
“I don’t know, Tessa. That’s not really?—”
“It’s totally a thing,” my daughter interrupts her again. “You know what they say, the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.”
Absolutely not.
The thought of Lilly with someone else, some random guy…fuck no.The bag of bread in my hand doesn’t fare well as I trynot to react to the conversation going on around me.
“I don’t really think that works,” Lilly says.
“That’s the point,” Tessa laughs. “It doesn’t have towork.It just has to remind you that you’re allowed to want something. And you’re a young woman with needs.”
I can’t stop the growl that slips from my throat, but I manage to cover it with a cough.
Both girls turn to look at me.
“Okay. Time to get back to work.”
I don’t bother to pretend I wasn’t listening. It doesn’t matter. I just need to shut down this conversation before it goes any further.
Because if I let myself think of Lilly with another man for even one more second, I’ll put my fist through the wall.
Lilly
