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“You okay, baby?”
I turn around. Ethan is watching me with concern. I guess I got lost in my thoughts because I’ve been standing still for some time, just staring into space. I sigh.
“I don’t know. I just keep wondering whether dad will show up.”
Ethan nods. He understands how important it is to me that I get dad’s support. He’s my closest family member, the one who raised me, the one who I love more than anyone else in the family.
But Ethan is the family I’m choosing. If dad can’t accept that, then I guess he won’t get to be a part of this amazing journey. It hurts, but that’s how it is. If he can’t forgive me, then how can I begin to forgive him for rejecting me, us, in the first place?
“He’ll be here,” Ethan insists. “He’d be a fool not to show up.”
“That doesn’t mean he will. Pride makes us all do stupid things.” I sigh. “Maybe I haven’t apologized enough. Maybe it’s not fair on him when I hurt him too.”
“August, you’ve apologized a million times. He hasn’t even tried to say he’s sorry or to at least try to mend your relationship. You’ve done everything you can. Now, we just need to wait and see if he’s man enough to show up.”
I nod, but there’s a hole in my heart right now. As amazing as my time with Ethan has been, and even though I’ve been happier than ever, I miss my dad. I was already missing him when I got back, after months apart during my trip to Palma. I was looking forward to reconnecting. Now, it feels like we’ll never connect again, like two magnets forcing themselves away from one another.
But I can’t dwell on all of this now. I have a party to attend. As guests begin to show up, I register the looks on people’s faces when they see me and Ethan side by side. The shock, the confusion, and in some cases, the disgust. It makes my heart sink a little. I know that people are old fashioned, and I knew to expect some rebellion from family and friends, but it’s taking away my hope that my dad will show up. I guess he doesn’t need to when the other guests are bringing bad feelings to the table anyway.
I drink a glass of water as we welcome the guests, trying to calm my nerves. I don’t know how many of my uncertainties are just in my head. Perhaps no one is judging us after all. But even in this room full of people and with Ethan by my side, I feel alone right now. Alone in my misery. It’s been an hour and my dad hasn’t shown up, or even texted to let me know he’ll be here.
What kind of dad misses his daughter's engagement party?
I feel like crying. This isn’t how it should be.
Ethan puts an arm around my waist.
“Don’t let it get you down,” he whispers in my ear. “If he doesn’t show, then he doesn’t deserve to call himself your father. You know that, right?”
I do, deep down. But it’s not enough to make me feel better. All I want is to see him. I want to stop feeling like I’ve ruined everything. I want to be forgiven and to forgive. Why can’t he just be here for me, one last time?
It’s two hours into the party. Ethan and I circulate through the guests, chatting and laughing, but my smiles are forced. I don’t want to be here anymore. I want to go home and cry into Ethan’s chest. The only thing I wanted from this night was for everything to be fixed, to fall back into place. But maybe I’m asking for too much of the man who is supposed to love me no matter what. Maybe I’ve done too much damage.
And then something in the air shifts. I feel a shiver run down my spine and I turn around. By the door, over two hours late is the only person I want to see tonight. The only person who can make everything perfect.
“Dad…”
Chapter Sixteen
Ethan
I don’t know whether to be angry or relieved that Callum finally showed up. Does he have any idea how worried August has been? He must, but I’m not sure he cares. But he’s here now, which is what she wants, so I guess we have to face up to the elephant in the room.
“We have to talk to him,” August urges me, slipping her hand into mine. I lean in to kiss her cheek.
“Okay, honey. I’m ready when you are,” I say. I gripping her hand firmly. There’s no way I’m going to let him trample all over her heart again. I’m here to look after her, and if he does anything to hurt her, he’ll have to answer to me.
