Page 56 of Long Story Short

He hasn’t stopped calling for weeks now. I wish he’d just send a text to say what he wants so I wouldn’t have to wonder but wouldn’t have to talk to him either.

I stare at his name, but for the first time, I consider answering. I want to know what he wants.

Maybe he’s trying to get to Mom through me. Their marriage was over on everything but paper years ago, but after my sister and I took Bishop Hotels from our father, Mom finally ended up leaving him for good. I thought when she left my father, she’d forgive Winnie and me for what we did, but she still hasn’t spoken to either of us. I wish I could say I’m surprised, but I’m not.

I watch the screen of my phone go black for a moment. But before the tinge of guilt I felt at ignoring his call fully takes over, the phone lights up again, my father’s name on the screen.

This time, I pick my phone up off the counter. My thumb hovers over the screen as I’m tempted to swipe and answer it.

I just want to know what he wants.

I lower my thumb to answer as memories crash through my mind.

All the times I wanted him to be a dad, but he only saw me as one of his employees instead.

All the times I wasn’t good enough for him.

All the times he focused on my failures and never celebrated any of my wins.

I spent over thirty years trying to do whatever I could to impress my father, and it never worked. He had the chance to be a father to me, and he chose not to be. He doesn’t get to come back into my life now when I finally don’t need his validation to feel successful.

I shove my phone into my pocket before I can think twice about answering. If I did, he’d see it as a win and try to get into my head like all the times he has before.

Until Winnie and Archer came to me with the plan of taking over both hotel empires out from under our fathers, I believed in my father. I didn’t think he was a good man, but I wanted to impress him. I thought I’d never feel successful until he was proud of me.

I was wrong.

Archer opened my eyes to the sins of our fathers. Their feuds were hindering the success of the companies. It hurt to backstab my father how I did, but I wouldn’t change it. Especially with how he’s acted after the fact, I don’t regret it.

Through it all, it’s brought me closer to my sister and her husband, something I’m incredibly grateful for. I don’t know if I would’ve ever opened my eyes to how cruel and ruthless my father was if it weren’t for them. I would’ve gone the rest of my life chasing the respect of a man who never once earned respect from me.

Pushing all thoughts of my father aside, I grab the list of ingredients I made earlier before placing it in my pocket. When I first offered to drop off dinner to Josie, I had another meal planned, which I did have the ingredients for. But after finding out she wanted to come over, I wanted to change it up.

I don’t know if it’s officially a date, but I want it to be. I’m going to do everything in my power to make it seem like one. I want her to know how much I enjoyed the kiss earlier and how much I’m longing to spend more time with her.

Grabbing my keys from the bowl next to the front door, I head out to make sure I make this date incredible for Josie.

“Tyson?” a familiar voice asks from behind me.

I turn around, finding my sister standing in the aisle over from me. She’s got a scarf tied around her red hair, her gaze pinned on me.

I give her a smile as I switch my basket of food to my other hand and close the distance to her. “Hi, Win.” I wrap my free arm around her shoulders and pull her in for a quick hug.

“What are you doing here?” she asks as we both pull away.

I lift my basket. “Grabbing some food for dinner. What about you?”

She stares at my basket for a moment as her lips twitch with the hint of a smile, like she knows something she isn’t saying out loud. “Archer had to work some tonight, so we’re staying in instead of going to Pembroke. I’m just grabbing some things for a charcuterie board. I think Margo might be coming over with Celeste for some girl time too.”

I smile at the mention of Beck and Margo Sinclair’s daughter, Celeste. She’s a ball of energy and so much fun. I’m anxiously waiting for Winnie and Archer to have kids of their own so I can step into the role of a fun uncle. “That sounds like a great night.”

Winnie’s smile grows as she nods. “Mm-hmm. Dinner for just you tonight?” she asks, her gaze moving to the basket in my hand again.

My neck feels hot as I take in my sister’s knowing stare. There’s a glint in her eye that makes me wonder what she knows. “Um,” I begin, unable to fight my own growing smile. I can’t help it. There’s something about my sister’s grin that’s amusing. “Making dinner for two.”

She nods. “I’ve been told all about your morning with Josephine Russell today.”

I swallow as I barely lift a shoulder. I knew it was bound to happen. There’s no kind of gossip like the kind that comes from New York’s elite. Out here, business is only discussed if there isn’t something juicier to talk about. The moment Josie and I showed up at Pembroke together, I knew it was bound to get around. I just didn’t expect my sister to be asking about it the same day that we first made an appearance together.