The room was a replica of the office he’d had in our home growing up. Along the far side wall was a shelf lined with legal books and cases. When I was a kid, I’d sneak into his office when he was out, to read through them. I rarely understood the legal jargon, but wanted to feel like I was a part of his world. He’d been taking Jason to the office with him since Jay was a kid. He talked to Jason about his latest clients and how contract negotiations were handled. I wanted to be a part of that world too.
I dragged my gaze away from the shelf, shaking off those memories, and examined the rest of the room. The huge cherry wood desk that he sat behind in his leather, tufted chair separated us. I glanced at the leather couch on the side opposite the wall with the books, but thought against sitting there. I opted to take a seat in the chair directly opposing my father.
He hadn’t said anything since we’d entered the room. Now as he sat there, a blank expression on his face, hands clasped, I began to wonder what this was all about. I could only come to one conclusion.
“Is this about the Wyatt divorce? If so, you can tell Robert to grow up. Of course, I filed that injunction. Any first-year lawyer wou—”
“Woah, woah,” my father held up his hands. “You’re working the Wyatt divorce?”
I tilted my head, trying to figure out if he was genuine. I didn’t trust my father, didn’t know him well enough to trust him. I knew he was cutthroat and shrewd when it came to business. I was trying to discern if he’d lie right to my face if it would give him the advantage for a client his firm represented.
“Your face looks just like your mother’s when you’re deciding whether I’m telling the truth. She did that a lot.” His voice was eerily low and contemplative. His eyes looked at something over my shoulder. This was weird. We never spoke about my mother. Hell, we never spoke,period.
“No, this isn’t about the Wyatt divorce. Robert is handling that.”
“Okay,” I breathed out slowly. “So, uh, whatisthis about?”
“Are you and Xavier dating?”
My eyebrows rose dramatically. I hadn’t been expecting that question. “Um, w-we just came to dinner together.” I wouldn’t exactly call this a date that Xavier and I were on, and since we technically hadn’t been on one, I wouldn’t say we were dating. I ignored the tiny voice in the back of my mind that called me all types of liars.
“Now you’re splitting hairs,” he grumbled. “Are you interested in him?”
What the hell?
“We’re friends.”With benefits,the voice in the back of my mind insisted, but I left that last part out.
“Friends?”
“Mm-hmm,” I confirmed.
“I got a glimpse of the way he looked at you out there.” He gestured toward the backyard. “I’ve had some friends like that in my time.”
“Like Marjorie?”Or any of the countless other women you cheated on my mother with?I pinched my lips together to keep that last thought from accidentally spilling out.
My father’s sharp gaze honed in on me, assessing me for a long moment. “Yes,” he nodded, “like Marjorie.” Something heavy hung in his voice.
I remained silent, just wishing for this awkward moment to be over.
“Chanel, I know I wasn’t the best husband to your mother…”
You sucked. As a father, too. To me, at least.
Outwardly, I shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. Mom’s gone, and you’re in a different marriage now.” I stood. “It’s water under the bridge.” I admired how cavalier my voice sounded.
“Okay. Just, uh, be careful. With Xavier, I mean,” he added, taking in my confused expression.
I nodded, not knowing what he meant by that, or why he would warn me. I didn’t waste much time trying to figure it out, either. Once he stood, I turned and headed straight for the door.
****
Xavier
“You had a good time?” I looked over to the passenger’s seat to see Chanel relaxed, head against the back of her seat. Large sunglasses covered her eyes, so I didn’t know if her eyes were open or closed. But I knew she wasn't sleeping.
She sighed before answering. “Strangely enough, I did. I like Marjorie.”
I got the sense that was hard for her to admit.
