Hatch bust out laughing and took a bow. “My work here is done.”
“Your work? What is that supposed to mean?” I hissed.
“Well, for the first time in weeks, Mr. Mopey here has had something resembling a smile on his face and you’re ready to lay claim to him in front of me, god, and everyone. So, yeah, I’d say, I stuck my stupid nose exactly where it was needed.”
“Has anyone ever told you you’re impossible?” I bit out.
“Been married to the same woman for thirty years and given there’s three-hundred-sixty-five days in a year, I reckon I’ve heard it approximately eleven-thousand times.”
I settled my hands on my hips. “Okay, if you’re so smart, do you really think my dad’s going to be pissed about me and Cash?”
“There’s only one way to find out and I’d recommend you tell him sooner than later. The guys around here are worse than the celebrity housewives when it comes to gossip.”
“I’m gonna do it after church on Wednesday when it’s quieter,” Cash said.
Hatch nodded. “I can get behind that. I’ll have your back, too, kid. Your dad know?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, you got two behind you.”
“I’ll be there,” I said.
“You won’t,” Cash and Hatch said in stereo.
“Why not? No girls allowed is so stupid.”
“You can use that time to talk to your mom,” Hatch suggested.
“And Daisy,” Cash said.
“Oh, shit. Daisy,” I breathed out. “Maybe we shouldn’t do this right now.”
“I’m gonna give you a few,” Hatch said. “You let me know what you decide.”
Hatch walked out and I faced Cash.
“If you want to wait, we’ll wait, but I really think we should tell your dad.”
I bit my lip. “I don’t know. Can I take a beat and think about it?”
“Yeah, of course.”
I slid my arms around his waist. “Thank you.”
He leaned down and kissed me. “Now, go grab whatever dessert’s left before Buzz eats it all. Save me some.”
“Okay.”
He smacked my butt as I headed out of the office and back into the great room. He didn’t follow for several minutes, and I started to panic a little until I saw him amble his way toward me, his expression neutral, like it always was.
I dropped my head and smiled, then controlled my own expression and started to load my plate with a few of Maisie’s desserts.
Teagan
CASH AND I had planned to talk to my dad after church on Wednesday, but Hatch locked the meeting down to officers only, so I was forced to stay home while Cash had to be at the club ‘in case they needed anything.’
After dinner, I closed myself into my room, not wanting my mother to ask questions. Questions like, ‘why are you wearing a hole in the floor?’ or ‘why is your hair falling out?’ or ‘why have you bitten three of your fingernails to the quick?’ Of course, the worst would be ‘why are you talking to yourself?’ and more importantly, ‘why are you answering yourself?’
