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“Thank you. As for your father, give him time, too. He’s seriously worried about you. Worrying can make people do all sorts of things, and oftentimes they don’t see the damage they cause.”
“That doesn't help me right now.”
“I know, but as we have several months left of your sabbatical I’m hoping you two will find some common ground.”
That’s probably the only thing I can wish for when it comes to Dad.
The two of us have grown so far apart I can’t believe he’s the same father who used to take Charlotte and me on adventures when we were kids. Dad would take us camping and skating where we’d pretend we were ice people who lived in Narnia. Now we’re light years away from those people we used to be.
“Do you think he’s going to delay my inheritance again?”
A shadow of worry touches her face. “I don’t know. He’s not talking to me about it. Whenever I ask he doesn’t give answers. He’s leaving everything vague on purpose. I think we’re just going to have to see what happens.”
That doesn’t sound good at all. It sounds like Dad is definitely planning to delay my inheritance again.
“Try not to worry about it.” She reaches forward and brushes my cheek. “Just keep doing what makes you happy. Like this.” She points to the documents and gives me a kind smile. “Jennifer would be really proud of you.”
I nod slowly and return the smile. “Thank you.”
She stands and looks more like herself. “I was thinking we could go to lunch and do some shopping. Maybe just spend the day together getting ready for the party.”
I was planning to make some notes for my article, but I feel the two of us need some time together.
“That sounds great.”
“Wonderful. I’ll buy you a new dress. I’m sure you’d like to look extra special since Evan will be there.”
That’s the other bad thing about tonight—he’sgoing to be there. And my parents really believe I like him.
In the spirit of the honest conversation we just had, I’m about to come clean and tell her that Evan isn’t my type, but something stops me.
The same something, that’s thinking about Luc’s offer and finding ways for it to work. It’s pushed the thought into my mind that even though I can’t stand Evan, he could be a distraction. If my parents think I’m seeing him they won’t suspect me and Luc.
Luc would hate the idea, especially if it meant I would essentially have to date Evan, but it might be integral to our plan.
“Thanks, I’d love that,” I tell her, plastering a smile on my face to mask the lie.
“Good. Let’s try and leave in ten minutes.”
“Sure.”
She blows me a kiss and leaves.
I look back at the journal and think of being with Luc again.
Could we really get away with this?
On one hand it seems entirely doable, but even my mother can’t predict my father’s actions. I mustn’t make things worse than they already are with Dad.
At the same time, I want to be happy.
Writing makes me happy, but so does Luc Le Blanche.
He makes me happy in ways I never knew I needed.
Chapter 21
Autumn
