AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You know what I mean, Tessie.”
Of course I do. “I didn’t want to intrude on his family time.”
Cecile died only a few hours after she spoke to Micah. That was three days ago. But amid funeral preparations and sadness, there seemed to be no ideal opportunity to have a‘What are we?’relationship chat.
This excuse sounds hollow and it is.
I’ve long flattered myself that I’m a girl who goes after what she wants without hesitation.
Wishful thinking.
Because if that were true then I would have allowed nothing to stop me from telling Micah exactly how I feel about him.
“Don’t be afraid to lose, Tessie Belle. You can’t ever win if you’re not willing to take a chance that you might lose.”
Cecile. She knew a thing or two.
“Tess.” My father has tracked me down.
“Crap,” I mutter and dry my hands on a dishtowel. I’ve been dreading this confrontation.
He glowers from the kitchen doorway. Then he notices that Dani is also in the room. His eyes flicker over her body, lingering on her legs.
The urge to smack him across the face is damn near irresistible.
Dani throws me a look and balances two trays on her palms. “I’ll take these out.”
My father reaches for her, his tone suddenly much friendlier. “I can help with those, Dani.”
“No need, Stuart.” She steps around him and escapes.
His focus returns to me. He puffs out his thick chest and delivers the sternest of his authoritarian glares. “Young lady, are you going to explain the letter I received in my inbox this morning?”
“I sent it two days ago, Dad. You should check your email more frequently. We’re at Cecile’s funeral but if you insist on discussing this now, let’s get it out of the way. I’m resigning my position. I will not be working for you any longer. I hate politics and I’d much rather be a full time realtor. Besides, you are a terrible boss. I will help you find a replacement. It’s a dream job for someone. Just not for me.”
“If this is regarding our discussion about Pierce Carrington…”
“It’s not.” That was just the breaking point. Followed by another one. And then another.
Stuart Ballerini’s neck grows ruddy. He clears his throat. “I understand that I’ve relied on you more than a father should rely on his daughter but it’s only because I know what you’re capable of. Tessie Belle, I’ve always said none of this is worthwhile if I lose my little girl.”
“You’ve given that speech before, Dad. Try another one.”
He opens his hands in a helpless gesture. “Tess, I apologize if you’ve been feeling undervalued.”
“Undervalued.” That deserves a laugh. “Yeah, I suppose that’s accurate.”
My father’s mask of propriety slips and anger flares in his eyes.
Of course he’s angry. For once, I’m refusing to yield.
I’ve often thought back to the night of the election. Micah understood me better than I understood myself. Micah wasn’t trying to take anything from me. All he wanted was my happiness.
What a contrast to my father, who has never done anythingbuttake from me. Every path I took was designed around his needs, not mine. And when it looked as if I might finally break away, he stopped low enough to invent health issues, guilting me into sticking by his side. My worst fear has always been that I would lose him like I lost my mother. He understood that and used it to his advantage every chance he got.
Apparently, he isn’t finished playing that card.
Why mess with a winning strategy?
