Page 209 of Dream On, Liar

I’d told myself it was because I was protecting my career, because I needed to protect the fragile progress I’d made with my father, because I’d been frightened of what would happen if everything I’d worked for suddenly became collateral damage.

All of that could be true.

And I’d still hurt him.

There was no clever explanation for that.

No professional clause that softened the human part of it.

I’d walked away while he was in the shower because I hadn’t known how to look him in the eye and choose between the two things I wanted.

Him.

And the life I’d spent years building.

By the end of the week, I was so tired of thinking in circles that I almost welcomed the distraction when Dad asked me to come in for a catch-up.

His office had always felt too polished to be comfortable.

Everything had a place.

I sat across from his desk.

He studied me. “You look miserable.”

“Thank you.”

His mouth twitched. “That’s not what I meant.”

“I know.”

He leaned back. “What's happening?”

“Nothing.”

His eyebrows lifted. “Maeve.”

I sighed. “Yeah?.”

“You’ve just spent the last forty five minutes catching me up on my players progress. Without so much so sharing a fact.” He paused. “So, I’m asking again. How’s everything else?”

I looked down at my hands. “Fine.”

He didn’t believe me, but he also didn’t push.

Instead, he reached for a folder on his desk.

“I wanted to talk to you about the apology.” I looked up.

“Yes?”

There was something almost pleased in his expression. “I was proud of you.”

The words should have warmed me.

They didn't.

I frowned. “Why?”