“It’s what?” Dad whispered, his voice laced with both anger and a little sadness. I never wanted to hurt my father but didn’t realize how much I’d been doing it while trying to impress him. I was making us both crazy and needed to stop.
“I’m not you, Dad. I’m not the great Lucas Hunter, and I never will be.” My eyes darted from his.
“First of all, I’m not the great Lucas Hunter. I struggle and screw up as much as anyone, and second, you don’t have to be. Is that what this is all about?”
“I never wanted the corporate life you and Bella love.”And Caterina. I never connected her relentless drive to succeed with my father and sister’s and didn’t think it was possible to feel worse than I did five minutes ago, but here I was. Maybe she didn’t want to be tied to a restaurant owner in a beach town. The rational part of me knew that wasn’t the reason things were strained between us, but the insecurities I’d fought against with my family made it all too easy to believe.
“And that’s fine.” He scanned the busy dining room and patio with a slow smile pulling at his lips. “You’ve done an amazing job. You did things your own way, and I’m nothing but proud. I just wish you’d let me in. Did you think I’d judge you if this place didn’t take off? Hell, I never would have the guts to buy my own business and build it from the ground up. I’m in awe of you.”
A lump grew in the back of my throat, making it hard to speak. “I didn’t want you to see me fail.” My voice sounded small, like the kid I’d always feel like in my father’s presence. “I didn’t want you to think I was weak. This is where I’m supposed to be, and I’m happy here, but part of me always wished I was like you and hated that I wasn’t.”
His features relaxed as he patted the stool beside him. “Sit and have a cup of coffee with your old man.”
The corners of my mouth twitched as I made my way from behind the bar to the seat next to him. I called one of the waitresses over to fill our cups but didn’t glance my father’s way.
“Look at me.”
I slid my gaze to his raised brow.
“I would never see you as weak. Sometimes, businesses flourish and fail for reasons you can’t control, but I know anything you could do to be a success, you would.” He dropped his hand to my shoulder. “Don’t ever think you’re my disappointment. You’re my prize.”
He pulled me in for a hug and kissed my cheek, just like he used to when I was little and would race to the door to greet him after work. I laughed as I pulled away, feeling lighter than I had in years, other than the one pang in my gut that wouldn’t go away.
“Now that that’s settled.” He smiled around his coffee cup. “How are things going with Caterina?” He spotted the wince I tried to hold in. “What happened? Did you break up when she went home?”
“No. Yes.” I groaned and rubbed my eyes. “I honestly don’t know. We said we’d try and it’s been three months. Our plans keep falling through, and, this last time, she got upset. She said maybe we’re just torturing ourselves.” I ran my finger around the handle of the mug. “Maybe she’s right. Maybe we don’t work in real life.”
“I saw the way you were looking at each other at dinner like I told you. That looked pretty real to me. How do you feel about her?”
I let my head fall back on a groan. “I’m crazy about her. We fit. I can’t explain it. It doesn’t make sense to love someone after only two weeks.”
“I loved your mother that quick. It happens.” He shrugged before draining his coffee and motioning to Jordan for a refill.
“No, you didn’t. You knew Mom in college.”
“I was a stupid asshole back then who didn’t notice anything, so all that time doesn’t count.” He nodded a thank you to Jordan when she filled his cup. “When I saw her ten years later, I couldn’t explain it either. It was like I was hit with something. I couldn’t stay away from her, even though it was wrong at the time. From that night on, I couldn’t remember what life was like before her. All I knew was that I couldn’t go back.”
“That’s exactly how I feel.” I dropped my head to the counter and groaned.
I heard his sad laugh next to me. “So, tell her.”
“I did. What else am I supposed to do?”
“I know!” Jordan interrupted as she served other customers at the bar. “My boyfriend sent me a playlist when we had a fight. It was so sweet; you should do that!” Jordan’s widened eyes danced.
“Like a mixtape?” Dad squinted at her.
“I don’t know what that is.” Her nose scrunched before she fluttered back to the dining area.
“That didn’t hurt at all.” I cracked up at Dad’s grimace. “But something like that isn’t a bad idea.”
I barked out a humorless laugh. “I already told her I loved her and that I wasn’t giving up and then got total silence. I can’t see how a song would make her believe it anymore than I could.”
“What if …” Jordan came back, bouncing up and down with her hands folded under her chin. “You had the songs delivered to her. Like on a jump drive. My boyfriend did it through an app, but that way would besomuch sweeter.”
“And then what?” I frowned and crossed my arms. “I have it sent to her office?”
“Or delivered,” Dad said, tapping his fingers on the counter. “Bella works in the same area Caterina told us her office is in. And she feels pretty awful about mentioning Owen’s contribution to me. I’m sure she’d deliver it to her. I can give it to her tomorrow when they stop by. Abuse her guilt a little.” We shared a laugh before I nodded.
