Matthias nods.“Of course.I didn’t mean to intrude.”His gaze lingers on me, like despite his soothing words, he’s still waiting for an answer.
I swallow.“My dad usually reaches out when he wants money,” I admit.“He says he wants me to visit him for my birthday next month, but it’s probably a lie just to get me talking to him again.So I’ve been dodging his calls.”
Matthias’ face darkens, but he doesn’t look shocked.It’s almost like he already knew I had a deadbeat dad.Or it doesn’t faze him.
“And you don’t want to block him because he’s your dad,” he fills in.
I nod miserably.
“Oh, beautiful.”Matthias’ arm is still around the back of the seat, and he uses it to give me a side hug.
Every time he calls mebeautiful, my pussy clenches, and my panties grow damp.
I mean, it must mean something, right?
It can’t be something he calls all his patients.Or even all the women in his life.I mean…beautiful?It’s an endearment.
And God, do I want to be his dear one.The thought practically makes me dizzy.
“That’s hard.”
His sympathy chokes me up.Because my parents are a topic I can’t discuss with anyone–not even with Missy–getting it out and having someone else greet the news with compassion makes tears burn behind my eyes.
“It’s okay,” I say.“I have no expectations of him at all.”
“What does Daisy say about it?”
“I can’t tell her.”I sigh.“She gets upset about the way he manipulates me.”
“So you’re carrying this alone.”
“Yeah.”
Matthias holds out his hand.“Give me your phone.”
I hand it to him before I realize what I’m doing.It’s so easy to follow his orders.
He pulls up my dad’s number.I haven’t saved it, probably because I don’t want to see his name.I don’t want him in my life.
Matthias holds my gaze with his dark brown eyes as he presses the button to block the number.
Suddenly, I feel a hundred pounds lighter.I sigh, feeling my tense shoulders relax.“Thank you.”
“Anytime.”He further unnerves me by leaning over and kissing the top of my head.
Is that…a fatherly kiss?Or something different?
A child below us starts crying, frightened by the stopped ride, and the Ferris wheel suddenly lurches back into motion.It’s almost as if the attendant was just waiting for someone to really complain.Or as if it had been stopped on purpose.
Wait…Oh God.Daisy probably arranged for this to happen!
I love my grandma dearly, but she is way too up in my business.
“Oh good.We’re not stranded,” I say to fill space.To change the topic from my dad.
“Yes.”Matthias sits back in his seat and, tragically, withdraws his arm from around me.
Awkward.
