“I’ve been worried sick about you, Georgie,” he adds, his tone still sharp as he takes a step toward me. “What’s going on?”
Just tell him the truth.
“I’m… I’m working.” It’s as close to the truth as I can get right now.
My dad’s face twists, and his six-foot figure towers over me. “You’re working? Why the hell would Macy’s send you to Charleston?”
“I got a new job,” I say carefully, meeting his eyes. “Working as a chef.”
His brows raise, but his expression doesn’t move from interrogation mode. “Why wouldn’t you call and tell me? Do youlivehere now?” He runs a hand over his face. “I’m so confused.”
“You’re not exactly giving me time to talk, either,” I fire back, and then instantly feel guilty for it. I’m not a child anymore, but Ihavebeen dodging him more than I usually do.
“Okay, then let’s talk,” he grits out, reaching out and grabbing my elbow. He guides me out of the market to a patch of trees and a bench. He waves a hand to gesture for me to get on with my explanation.
And I’m fucking terrified.
Alright, Georgia, you can do this. I’m just working for Brody. He doesn’t need to know all the details. That’s none of his business.
The thought gives me the boost of courage I need. “I’ve been working for Brody.”
My dad’s eyes narrow. “Brody?My best friendBrody?”
I nod slowly. “Yeah. He came to my birthday party, and then invited me to work as the cook on his yacht for a month.”
“With Emmett and Miles,” my dad says. “Why the fuck would he drag you into that?” The volume of his voice increases, and I cringe.
“The pay is great. I might actually be able to open the café I’ve always wanted to?—”
“What is he paying you?” he cuts me off, his eyes boring into me.
Oh shit.“Like two hundred grand.”
“Oh my god,” he stares. “It’s not even a job. It’s a fucking charity case, and based on the way you’vehiddenit from me, I bet there’s a lot more than just some cooking going on, huh?”
My eyes widen, and my lips part, but nothing comes out.
“It’s written all over your face!” he explodes, his voice turning the heads of the people nearby. “What the hell are you thinking, Georgia? You think shacking up with some old guy is the easy way out? How immature, foolish, and just plain desperate could you be? This isembarrassing!”
“Dad, stop,” I plead, my eyes welling up with tears as my heart races in panic. “It’s not… it’s not…” I can’t bring myself to lie, and thankfully, I don’t have to.
“What’s going on?” Brody suddenly appears from the parking lot. His voice is calm, collected, and honestly, the sight of him sends a flood of relief through my chest. “Is there a problem, Robert?”
My dad whirls around. “You’re sleeping with my daughter. That’s the goddamn problem, Brody,” he seethes. “I’m not an idiot, and I thought you were alotbetter than that.”
“What are you talking about?” Brody gives him a look.
“You’re mybest friend,” my dad exclaims. “And you stabbed me in the back!” He backs away from us and then shakes his head. “I can’t fucking do this right now.”
And with that, he storms back into the parking lot.
The tears well up in my eyes, but I don’t feel sad at all.
I just feelpissed.
Chapter 15
Brody
