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I touch the dip in my neck, feeling my pulse hammer. “I left the number at home, so I’ll have to send it to you.”
“That will be fine. What’s on your agenda for the rest of the day?” he asks, averting his eyes to the computer. I’ve literally just told him I have a sibling and he wants to know what I’m doing the rest of the day? How is he not mind blown right now?
“I’m going to grab some more business cards before I leave, maybe do some in person marketing up in Cave Creek. Then I promised Devin I’d help her get settled into her parents’ house.”
“Oh? You two are still on speaking terms? That’s good.”
“Yeah.” I hate lying to him.Hate it. And I’m not sure why I pulled Devin into my storytelling. But I need to stall Daddy for a while because I don’t want him thinking I’m rushing home to get that number for him.
“I’m glad to hear that. It’s never good to burn your bridges, you know.”
“I never burn bridges.”
No, I decimate them.
“How did things go with Benjamin last night?”
I knit my brow. Why does that question seem odd? “Good. We had fun. Not sure where it will go but we’ll see.”
“Well, I always did like seeing you with Devin. Maybe you two will be able to work things out?”
“No,” I answer with an adamant shake of the head. “Friends, maybe. But we are not getting back together. I know you want me to be happy, Daddy, but she didn’t make me happy and vice-versa.”
Something odd flashes in his eyes. He must think I’m sad about me and Devin breaking up. I have been acting different around him so maybe he just wants things back to normal.
“I do want you happy, Tove. You’re my daughter and I know what men are capable of, as do you.”
Bile churns in my stomach at this nod to my history and what happened. “I should get going,” I say, standing up and grabbing my purse.
Daddy walks me to his door, quiet, tense. “Send me that number as soon as you get home, darling.”
I nod and walk off before he has the chance to kiss me goodbye. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve been this annoyed with my father.
When I get back to my car I get a text notification. Excitedly I look at the screen, feeling the slightest pang of disappointment when it’s not Ben, it’s Rigger. Even though I’ve been waiting all weekend to talk to him.
We agree to meet for lunch at a café downtown. After we place our orders Rigger studies me for a moment, a look of seriousness I don’t often see.
“So, what’s up with you?” I ask. “Everything okay? You’ve been quiet for a few days.”
He nods solemnly, flicks his gaze to the side. “Been busy with a few work details.”
“Anything juicy?”
“No. Not this week.”
“That’s too bad.” I smile, trying to make Rigger smile back. But he’s tight, like he’s trying hard to hold a needle in his ass. “Am I going to have to tie you up and tickle you or something?”
That gets me a laugh. “Love to see you try.”
“I’d love to try. Anything to hear you laugh.”
Now his eyes seem to gleam and the tension has melted. “How was the rest of your weekend? You talk to your dad about …?” he asks, tilting his head in a telltale fashion.
“I did. This morning.”
“And?” Rigger slides a breadstick from the basket on the table. I follow suit, crunching the tip like a beaver.
“He acted weird but said it wasn’t his.Itbeing my brother or sister.”
