He shivered, dropping his arm to his side, and freed a rushed breath. “Damn, it was amazing.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. What did you want to discuss?” From his tone, it had sounded like he had something serious to tell me. I stayed on my side and lifted on an elbow, peering at him.
“I texted my dad today, and he agreed to meet with me for lunch tomorrow.” He threw a glance at me. “I’m a little nervous.”
“You’re staying with me tonight, right?” It was our plan. Would he want to go home now?
“Yes, I’m staying tonight. I’m meeting my dad at Ling and Louie’s in Scottsdale.” He worried his lower lip. “You know, the Asian fusion place?”
“I’ve heard of it but never been.” I shifted closer to him and placed my hand on his arm. “Do you want me with you? I couldhelp keep the conversation civil.” It was something I’d learned at the center. “I have some experience with this.”
“Yeah?” He rolled onto his back, his gaze darting across my ceiling, his profile to me. “I appreciate the gesture, but I think it’s best if I do this on my own.” His attention swung to me. “I can handle this, Eli.”
As my gut grew tense, I said, “Okay, but how about you think about it tonight. If you change your mind, the offer will still stand in the morning.” Maybe he should sleep on it, and then he’d see that having a mediator would be better. “It’s a pretty delicate situation.”
His brows lowered. “I know that, Eli. I can do this. I think without Karen there, we can have an open discussion.”
“Okay, okay.” He was making a mistake. How many times had I heard of students ruining their relationships with their parents because they were too emotional about the problems they discussed? But sometimes, it was necessary to let a person fail for them to learn.
“Eli, don’t look at me that way.” He sat up and twisted toward me. “I know that look. You think I can’t do this.”
“No, it’s not about you. It’s the situation. You’re emotional about it, and your father will be too.” I rose to a sitting position and combed my fingers through my hair. “Just don’t push it if the discussion gets destructive.”
“I know.” He breathed in deeply. “I can do this.” He pressed a kiss on my lips. “Have faith in me.”
“I do…” Fuck, now I had to lay off. “Come here.” Hooking my arm around his neck, I drew him into my chest and kissed his hair. “Call me when you’re done, or come back here if you need to.”
“I will.” He relaxed his shoulders. “Thank you, Eli. I know you mean well.”
SIXTEEN
WREN
The next morning, after Eli made the house a hearty breakfast of protein pancakes and sausage, we sat around the main room and bantered with the guys. It had taken my mind off the discussion I needed to have with my father.
As midday rolled around, I left Eli at the house, reassuring him once again that I needed to face my father alone. He was my father, after all. How hard could this be?
I drove to the restaurant, parked and strolled along the walkway to the front. The formidable structure held an enormous square turret at the entry with a gigantic, pivoting door featuring iron components. As I stepped inside, I spied my father sitting at a booth along the clay-colored wall, the seats in orange leather with the backs in turquoise. I waved and strode across the slate-tiled floor. “Hey, Dad.” With a quick smile, I dropped in across from him.
“Hi, Wren.” He wove his fingers around a tall Bloody Mary.
Hell, he was drinking already? Maybe Mom was right about the booze. My stomach tied in a knot. “Thanks for having lunch with me.”
“Of course. We live so close now, we can see each othermore.” He sipped his drink. “Let’s order food and then have the discussion you wanted.”
“Sure.” As my palms grew sweaty, I picked up my menu. “What are you ordering?”
“The Mongolian beef. I always get that here.” He flashed a grin.
Always? How often had he come here? My chest pinched, and I breathed through it. “When, uh, when did you move here, Dad?”
“A few months ago.” Stirring his drink, he gave a stuttered chuckle. “What does it matter?”
As heat flickered through my chest, I opened my mouth to speak.
His gaze snapped to mine. “Oh, we wanted to be settled before we saw you.” He took a long sip of his drink.
The server stopped by the table, and I ordered an iced tea, along with the seafood hot pot. Eli’s breakfast had been filling, but it had been a few hours since then, and I didn’t need any alcohol to inflame my emotions.
