Page 38 of Cole

“You do? Why would I find it interesting?”

“You’ll see.” He smiled at me and then focused on his breakfast, ignoring me altogether.

The meeting was with a business acquaintance of my father’s. His name was Grant Elwick, and he was just getting started in politics. He was the son of one of my father’s old time business contacts, apparently, though I’d never met him before. I listened as they talked about the local city elections and the candidates. Apparently, someone had a scandal brewing over their love life, and another had brushed embezzlement charges under the rug. After a few minutes, I started to take notes.

Was my father seriously throwing me a bone for an interesting story? It was hard to believe, but it really seemed to be happening.

“It was lovely to meet you, Isabelle. I can see why your father speaks so highly of you,” Grant said as we walked him to the door.

“Does he?” I wondered, genuinely surprised that my father would bother.

Grant nodded. He was younger than my father, maybe in his mid-forties, and pleasant looking. Very inoffensive. If mild-mannered, country-club chic was a look, Grant Elwick had it down.

“Of course, he does. He has big plans for you, and high expectations. He wants the world for you.”

I didn’t know what to say to that, so I settled for shaking Grant’s hand. My father had disappeared for an important phone call.

“Oh, should I get your number, in case I have follow-up questions?” I wondered.

Grant smiled and nodded. “Absolutely, I’d be happy to take any follow-up questions over dinner, or drinks next time.”

“Um, sure, whatever you want,” I agreed readily, saving him as a contact after he rattled off his phone number.

“It’s a date then,” Grant said, and left.

A date? I watched him drive off before coming back inside.

“What did you think of Grant?” my father asked.

“He’s nice enough, I guess. I can’t believe that info about the city council though. So interesting.” I chewed on my lip and looked at my notes.

“Yes, well, that was all confidential, you know. Don’t go gossiping about it.”

I stared at my father. “Gossiping about it? I thought you wanted me to write a story about it.”

My father laughed. “Why would I want that? If these kinds of secrets became common knowledge, then that wouldn’t make for very good leverage, would it?”

Words left me. The disappointment was huge, and yet, unsurprising.

“Why did you invite me in there then?” I asked angrily, getting up and swiping my notebook from the couch.

My father tilted his head to the side and gave me a shrewd look. “The only thing Grant is missing is a family image. With a wife, he’d go much further. With a wife like you, with the connections that entails, he’d practically be a shoo-in… and I would have a son-in-law with sway over the zoning commission, finally.”

I bit my tongue so hard, blood filled my mouth. I didn’t have words for my father. I just stared at him.

He sighed. “Don’t give me that dramatic look. I’ve been telling you to find someone that you like yourself for years. You’ve dragged your feet so long, I’m having to step in. There’s nothing to be upset about. This is how society matches work. They should benefit all parties, including the parents. It’s how your mother and me met. There’s nothing wrong with it.”

I turned around and walked away. I couldn’t stay there one more second, looking at his smug, unfeeling face, and not scream.

“Call Grant and set up that date, or I’ll do it for you!” he called after me.

It sounded like a death sentence.

I headed back to campus, stopping in town to grab a coffee as I drove through. Sure, I was meant to be off the hard stuff, but after last night, I deserved a break. I’d barely slept. A motorcycle roared past while I was sitting outside at a table, staring into space, and I flinched. Amid all the drama with my parents, I’d nearly forgotten about the mysterious rider from the night before.

Who had he been? Someone Cole had sent from The Clutch? Checking up on me? Making sure I left? Or had it been someone else?

I sipped my coffee and enjoyed the way the caffeine charged through my tired veins. Goddamn it, that felt good.