he’s not pleased.
Clay is holding my chair out for me, so I sit and he takes the seat next to mine. Clearly my dad has already worked out how he wants this to go tonight. He’s hoping Clay will impress me with his golf score, his stellar education, and solid career plan, and Dad won’t have to worry about me and my crazy plans to move away and dance anymore.
But it’s not going to work.
No matter how many times he tries this same scenario, it never works.
Claire, my dad’s live-in girlfriend, who is everything Dad wishes I was— passive, ambitionless, and accepting of her position in her man’s life—brings the last of the serving dishes to the table. She’s nice, albeit a little stupid, but she makes Dad happy. I know he’s not in love with her, but she’s someone to keep him company, and, most days, keeps him off of my back, so I don’t dislike her too much. I’m grateful to be able to get this meal started and quickly over with, especially without Daisy here as a buffer yet.
“So, your father tells me that you just recently moved back to town?” Clay asks, scooping salad onto my chilled plate.
“Mmhmm,” is all I offer.
“Where were you living before that?”
“Nowhere too long. I mean, my best friend and I have spent the last couple of years traveling.” Trying to forget things and people that will never be forgotten.
“Wow, that sounds incredible. Where was your favorite place?”
The beach cabana that Gunner and I snuck off to that summer and didn’t leave for days.
“Hard to say. Do you travel a lot?” I ask.
Clay shrugs. “No, not really. Been working full time since I graduated college. I’d like to though. Maybe someday once I’m married I’ll take trips like that. Right now, it’s just me, though.”
“Harlow is an excellent tour guide. World traveler since she was just a little thing. You two should pick a place, I’m sure she’d love to have a vacation, show you around somewhere new. What about a little jaunt over to Turks and Caicos?”
“Dad, I hardly think Clay wants to run off to an island with a stranger.” I feel the heat on my face spread, igniting my entire body with anger. Like I want to go on a romantic getaway with some guy I hardly know. He’s doing this to try to take my mind off of New York.
Clay lets out a low, uncomfortable chuckle. “I appreciate that sir, but I really can’t get the time off for any trips right now. As nice as that would be.”
“You’re working for Isolde Michaels, right? She’s a great friend of mine, I’m certain I could get her to make an exception.”
“Dad...” I warn, poking at the maple glazed salmon on my plate and refusing to look at him. He’s unbelievable.
“Thank you, sir. I’m still trying to earn my place at the firm, though. Maybe some other time.”
“Some other time for what?” I hear Daisy’s voice chirp.
“Turks and Caicos, naturally,” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Hi, Mr. Mills,” Daisy says, pulling up a chair next to me. “Hi, I’m Daisy.” She waves lightly to Clay, who obviously perks up at the sight of Daisy in her light blue, curve hugging sundress. He’d be an idiot not to notice her.
“Pleased to meet you,” he says. “Can I get you a drink?”
“Yeah, I’ll have—”
“Lemon Gingertini? It’s no problem, Clay, I’ll go in and make it,” I cut in.
“You don’t have to, Har,” Daisy says. But she slips out of her chair and into mine, closer to Clay. I fight the smile twitching at the corners of my mouth.
“Absolutely no problem, I’ll be right back.”
I make my way into the kitchen and pull the ginger syrup from the fridge. As I’m dragging the step stool over to the corner of the room where the liquor cabinet is, I see a single headlight flash from the kitchen window. I pause, becoming completely still for a moment, just long enough to listen for it. I close my eyes and hold my breath—everything short of crossing my fingers, like a kid
Michael Connelly
Muriel Spark
Jon Sharpe
Pamela Warren
Andro Linklater
Gary Paulsen
Paulette Oakes
J. F. Freedman
Thomas B. Costain
C.M. Owens