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"I've missed you," I said.
"We were not expecting you or else I would have had your room freshened up. I can do that for you now."
I pulled back and shook my head. "It's not necessary. I won't be staying long, I just wanted to surprise my dad and talk to him."
His white, bushy brows angled just slightly together. He frowned. "Mr. Rossi doesn't know you're here?"
"No, I didn't tell him. Why do you ask?"
He straightened and forced a smile. "No reason at all."
I observed him. "What are you hiding?" I joked a little.
"Nothing at all. Are you hungry? Thirsty? Let me get your favorite coffee for you."
"Ah, diversion." I winked. "It's all good. Is my mom here? I didn't see her car outside."
He swallowed thickly and peered down. "I haven’t seen Mrs. Rossi in quite a few months. I'm not sure where she is, to be honest."
I paled. "A few months," I repeated. "What are you talking about?"
Thomas's eyes widened and he panicked. "Miss Rossi, I thought you knew she wasn't staying here. Forgive me, please. I wasn't aware you didn't know she moved out."
My jaw hit the floor. This day just got better and better. "No, I had no idea. Dad never told me."
Thomas looked terrified. He shifted on his feet, using his hands to speak. "Please, I truly—"
"Don't worry, I won't speak a word of it, and I'll pretend I didn't know. It's not your fault this family is bound by secrets and lies. Dad probably was just trying to protect me and help keep me focused on gymnastics."
He nodded, speechless. His eyes filled with guilt, and I felt bad about it. Wiping the astonishment from my face, I smiled and said, "I'm gonna go see him. I only have so much time before I have to hit the road again."
I turned to walk away, but Thomas stopped me. "Ah, Miss Rossi?" His voice shook. "How about I let him know you're here first? You know, in case he's on a phone call."
The hair on my arms rose. Something was up and I didn't like it. "It's okay, I won't say a word when I walk in if he is. Thanks, though."
"I think it's best if I let him know."
I flattened my lips, not liking the vibe Thomas was putting out. Leaning in, I said firmly, "I've never needed permission to see my father, and I don't now. Thank you, Thomas, but you're excused."
Turning around, I pulled my shoulders back and walked toward my dad's office. My keys jingled in my hand and I wondered why there was a strange air in the house. I hated to treat Thomas like he was hired help when he meant so much more to me than that, but in this case, I had to get my point across.
As I drew closer to the doors, voices carried down the hall that caused me to slow my steps. I recognized my father's immediately, but there was a woman's voice I'd never heard before.
I swallowed thickly and cupped my keys into my hand so they wouldn't make any more noise and I listened harder. I heard my name mentioned, but the voices were still too distant to make out anything else. Eavesdropping always caused false assumptions. Still, I couldn't not try to listen.
Standing in front of Dad’s office door, my heart raced a mile a minute, and I felt that impending doom fill my chest. I was a little nervous to demand anything from him, it wasn't exactly my style, but I needed answers. The voices were clearer now, and as I lifted my hand to knock, I heard someone giggle.
"Dad?" I said cheerily, opening the door.
The giggling halted and my gaze immediately landed on a woman who looked awfully familiar. I studied her for a minute, trying to place where I knew her from. She returned the stare, only she looked shocked to death.
"Adrianna?"
I turned toward my dad, who was standing behind his cherry desk looking just as surprised. I smiled and walked slowly toward him, thinking about who this woman was but wondering where Joy went.
"Hi, Dad."
He rounded the desk and put his arms out. "I'm surprised to see you," he said, his voice tense, and pulled me into a bear hug. My heart softened and I felt at home. "Why didn't you call first?"
