“I’m happy to share. I have a great idea. Why don’t you come by?” Claudia grabbed Dad’s arm. “That way, I won’t have lo mein for days and clog up Peyton and Jake’s refrigerator.”
“Real food is outside my approved diet, but I think it’s been long enough that I could splurge. Right, boss?”
Dad turned to me, his lips curving into the first real smile he’d had all day.
“Oh, that’s right. He’s your ride,” Claudia said in a loud whisper as her gaze drifted to mine, pursing her full lips as Dad gave her a slow nod.
“Unfortunately, yes. I don’t have a real driving leg anymore.” His eyes ticked to me and back to Claudia as he let out an exaggerated breath.
“Well, I’ll have enough for both of you. How’s seven?”
“Fine with us,” Dad said before I could say anything in reply. “Not like I’ve had plans for the past couple of years. What can we bring?”
“Yourselves. But I wouldn’t be against some dessert.” She squeezed his shoulder, her smile shrinking a bit when her gaze caught mine. “Jude knows the address.”
“So do I, and no problem. We appreciate the invite. My son keeps telling me that time out of the house is good for us, and I have to agree.” He raised a brow at me.
Jesus.
“Not exactly what I meant, but yes, it’s good.”
“I promise I’ll make it worth it. It won’t be as good as my father’s would be, but he taught me well enough.” Her smile had dimmed from when we’d first run into her. I hated thinking I might have been the cause, but space between us was for the best, even if neither of us liked it.
“You can come straight to the back. We can eat outside since it’s not supposed to be too hot. I look forward to seeing you both later.” She cracked a wide grin before turning around and heading back up the aisle, my eyes glued to her departure despite my best efforts to tear them away.
“Son,” Dad said, my eyes still fixed on the now-empty path of Claudia’s exit. When I brought my gaze to his, I was surprised to see a little sympathy reflected at me. “I know you have your reasons, and I’ve been trying to ignore how you’ve been using taking care of me as an excuse—”
“An excuse for what? I’m sorry if trying to keep you healthy and get you back on your feet pisses you off.”
“It actually doesn’t. Our arguments keep me sharp, and believe it or not, I appreciate you and all you’ve done. And your mother would too.”
I nodded as I tried to swallow away the sudden lump in my throat. My mother should’ve only seen what we’d turned into.
A sad smile drifted over his mouth as he shifted toward me. “If you keep yourself this closed off, they win.” He tapped my shoulder and pushed the cart forward.
“Who wins?” I asked, keeping slow time next to the cart.
“Not you.” He patted my chest. “Give your mind and your good heart to people who deserve it, rather than hold on to a grudge that’s only screwingyouover, all over again. Now, let’s find Claudia something good and sweet like she is. And maybe we’ll go next door and pick up a bottle of something that loosens you up enough to forget who you are, so that maybe you have a little fun. Even if you’re going to cramp my style during my dinner with a beautiful woman.”
“Very funny, Dad.” I couldn’t help the tiny smile pulling at my lips for a second. The intrusive thought of Claudia making dinner for Larry at some point made it dissolve into a hard line as my jaw clenched.
What the hell was wrong with me?
“Do me a favor tonight,” he said when we arrived in the bakery aisle. “Leave the game up to me.” He looked me up and down and shook his head. “It’s sad that you’re the one more out of practice.”
12
CLAUDIA
“You’resure you don’t mind?” I asked Peyton with my phone cradled into the crook of my neck as I set her patio table. “I realized after I invited them that it was a little rude without asking you first. I think I’ve been mooching off you guys for so long that I’m getting too comfortable.”
“You are not mooching. We want you here, so stop it,” Peyton said, laughing in my ear. “And of course I don’t mind. It’s not like you’re having a party. It’s Davis and his father. And even if you were, as long as there’s no damage, have at it.”
I stepped back to look. I’d grabbed a couple of fake candles that operated with a switch at the bottom from the display next to the register at the market. I wanted to give the table some ambiance as the sun set and not have to worry about them blowing out. The humidity from the hot day still lingered, but the breeze was cool enough to make dinner outside a nice enough option.
My chicken lo mein was done and covered on the stove to keep it hot until my guests arrived. I wasn’t nervous but definitely jumpy, as if I really was having a party and not eating with my sometimes fake-dating partner and his father.
“I’m actually surprised Jude agreed to come, not that his father gave him much of a choice.”
