“This is different. I asked him to the graduation, but he asked me over for dinner. To his house. His home, where his family lives.”
I add more mascara on my lower eyelashes. “He wants me. Me!”
My dad’shouse is huge for Seattle.
It’s a contemporary home with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and tiered levels that spill out onto roof-deck terraces. There’s a little penthouse at the top that looks like the perfect place for a cozy bedroom or office.
Maybe he’ll want me to move in.
Maybe he’ll want me to go on vacation with them. I don’t even mind being the free babysitter as long as it’s a way to get to know them, to be in my siblings’ lives.
I’m jittery as I ring the doorbell. The chime echoes through the house.
I have presents for the kids in my bag along with chocolates and a bottle of wine. It’s not as nice as the wine at McCarthy’s penthouse, but I hope it’s good enough.
Screw him.
What does he know about my father? He hates his dad. Not everyone has to hate their parents.
I’ve held my dad on a pedestal since forever. He’s the exact opposite of my mom—steady, gainfully employed, has a real house instead of an unconditioned cabin. He goes out to eat at nice restaurants. He plays golf. He wears nice things. He drives a BMW.
He’s a lesser version of McCarthy.
We’re not playing daddy-issues bingo tonight. Besides, Dad has brown hair. So suck it.
“Hi, Dad!” I gush when the oversized redwood door swings open.
My dad seems a little taken aback. “Oh, uh, right.” He rubs the back of his head. “Hi, Jenna.”
“I’m so glad to see you!” I give a little scream. “Ahh! This is crazy, right? It’s been way too long.” I’m bubbly and high-energy and happy.
“Yeah, crazy, right? So long.” He pats my arm awkwardly when I throw my arms around him and hug him.
I even left Truman at McCarthy’s so he wouldn’t be a distraction and my dad and I could focus on rekindling our relationship.
“Wow, your home is amazing! Do you want me to take off my shoes? I’ll just take them off anyway. These look like vintage Persian carpets. Oh, I brought wine, yay! And chocolate.” I hand them to him.
“Also toys for the kids…” I look around, expecting to hear happy-children sounds.
My dad clears his throat. “They’re actually in Vancouver, visiting my wife’s family for the week.”
“Just us, then.” I keep my smile broad and beaming. “You can give them their presents when they get back. We could FaceTime when they open them, or I can come back over. I mean, it’s not super far from my office. Why don’t we have a drink on the porch before dinner? I brought wine. Not sure what you were planning for dinner, so I’m not sure if it will go with the meal.”
“I really just wanted to have a drink with you. I actually have dinner plans…”
There’s an awkward pause. Then I say, “Drinks are good! Baby steps. We’ll proceed at your pace.”
My dad grabs two glasses as he leads me to the porch. He snorts when he reads the label of the wine I brought.
I kick myself for not just going ahead and stealing a bottle from McCarthy when I had the chance.
“Interesting choice,” my dad comments, sitting at the small table across from me.
“Cheers!” I say too brightly, hoisting my glass. This wine is so not as good as McCarthy’s.
“Yes, well.” More throat clearing. “You’re probably wondering why I’ve been trying to get in contact with you.”
“I hope it’s not because you wanted to walk me down the aisle.” I wave my unadorned ring finger at him. “Engagement got called off. It’s a real doozy of a story. So my ex—”
