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“I don’t know what interests me. I try to read, but the words don’t always make sense and I get frustrated.” I shrugged. “Reading kind of makes me feel stupid.”
“You’re not stupid.” He took my hand. “I don’t want to hear you say that.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize to me.” He set his drink on the bar. “You like art, so we’ll find you some books on that subject. We can start there.”
“Okay.” I pushed the hair from my face.
“What is it?”
“How do you always know when something is wrong?”
“You fidget.” He touched my hair. “Usually with your hair.”
“Do I?” No one had ever taken the time to get to know me. “I want to like to read. You’re always reading something. You know so much.”
“I can help you.” He stroked my cheek. “If you want.”
“How can someone so scary be so gentle?”
“I don’t think I was gentle last night.” He tugged on the end of my hair. “But I didn’t hear you complain.”
“I wouldn’t call what I was doing complaining.”
“Daddy.” Cassie hurried into the family room. “Mom is here. She’s in the kitchen.” Cassie glanced out the window. “Why don’t you go say hello to her? She brought that apple pie you like from the farmer’s market.”
“I’m sure she’ll be in shortly.” Jude pulled me to his side and put his arm around me. “Did you have fun last night?” he asked his daughter.
“At the dance?” She looked out the window again. “It was okay. I’m over high school.”
Cassie attended an exclusive private school where all the rich kids went. She had no idea how fortunate she was to have all the opportunities her father provided for her. If she could have walked a mile in my worn-out shoes when I was in school, she might not be so entitled.
“How about college?” Jude asked. “Have you given that any more thought since you’re done with high school?”
“Do we have to talk about this now?” She glanced at the bar. “Can I have a glass of wine?”
“With dinner,” Jude said. “In November of my senior year I had already committed to a college.”
“We all can’t go to Harvard, Daddy.”
My drink caught in my throat. “You went to Harvard?” I coughed.I did not see that coming.
“I know, right?” Cassie looked at her dad. “A bad-ass with tattoos and a filthy mouth has a degree from an Ivy League school.”
If you only knew how filthy his mouth is.
“Don’t look so surprised.” Jude laughed. “I am a successful businessman.”
“I’m not surprised.” That was a total lie. “I didn’t know.” No wonder he was always reading something. I knew he was smart, but wow.
“What’s so interesting outside?” Jude asked Cassie. “Are you expecting someone?”
“Kind of.” She turned to face us. “Don’t freak out, but Josh is coming over.”
“Here? On Thanksgiving?” Jude’s body tensed. “I don’t recall being asked about this.”
“Mom said it was okay.” Cassie acted as if inviting Josh wasn’t a big deal, but that wasn’t the vibe I picked up.
