My lungs constricted. “Why? Is it me?”
“Did you not hear me?” His mouth took mine in a kiss.
A soft moan escaped my mouth. At least my lungs were working again.
“I said I’ll wait however long you need.” He broke away from my mouth and ran his fingers through my tangled hair. “There’s a lot to keep us occupied in the meantime.”
Which was what we did.
Price
With my classes over and fall semester not starting for a while yet, I found myself bored for the first time in forever. Emerson worked a godawful schedule, but I didn’t begrudge her that. I had nothing but respect for hard work.
The plans for my father to come to the city and have dinner with me tonight were canceled. He texted me late last night, apologizing, and told me he’d be in touch to reschedule.
I’d just decided to take Tuck home for a few days and see my mom and Bruce when my phone rang. When I saw the caller ID, I didn’t want to pick up, but did anyway.
“Hello?”
“Congratulations, Price. I see you finished with all As this summer. You’re doing me proud. Are you enjoying some time off?”
“Actually, I was going to see my mom for a few days.”
“Oh.” My father sounded disappointed on the other end. Deflated.
“Do I need to ask your permission?”
“No need to be a hard-ass, son. I was simply going to see if you wanted to meet me in Philadelphia for a night. I wanted to make it up to you for not being able to come to the city today.”
“Um, I could. Are you working?”
“No, I have a sick friend who’s in the hospital here. I’m visiting.”
“Well, are you sure?”
“Yes, I can only visit for a few minutes every day.”
Seeing my dad wasn’t at the top of my wish list, but if I told my mom, she’d say to go.
“I could drive there and then home,” I said. “Were you thinking this week?”
“How’s Thursday?”
“I’ll make it work.”
I’d have to run a lot of miles between now and then to work off my anxiety. No way I could show up to see my dad with all the tension our relationship gave me bottled up.
“Oh, I have a dog now. So I’ll find a place to stay that allows him.”
“How about a lady? You have a girlfriend, or are you still pining for the girl back home?”
“It’s complicated. Yes and no.” Honestly, what did he care?
“Bring your girlfriend too. Call me when you’re here. I’ll make a reservation. I want to see who my son likes.”
He disconnected the call before I could debate it.
“I can’t go to Philadelphia this week,” Emerson told me. “I work a double on Thursday, and Friday night is my best night for tips at the bar. I need the money.”
