“And now, I’m guessing the high has worn off?”
“No,” I hesitate. “Not exactly.” I fall into silence for a few beats, mulling it over. “I don’t know exactly how I feel about it. Like, I don’t want to be seen as defiant, but also… this is the happiest I’ve ever been.”
“Because you have access to unlimited luxury and sex,” Daisy’s voice goes flat.
I frown. “Ouch.”
“It’s harsh, I know,” she sighs. “But you’re kind of living in a fantasy world. Maybe that’s what your father is concerned about? Maybe he doesn’t want your heart to get broken?”
“Well, I hadn’t even considered that,” I admit, plopping down on the edge of my bed. “But I can’t recall the last time my dad ever really cared about my heart. He seemed to be just fine with breaking it over and over.”
“True,” Daisy sighs. “I guess I was just trying to make some sense of the whole thing. There’s got to be some way that you don’t lose both your dad and the guys.”
“I don’t even know what keeping them looks like,” I muse aloud. “I don’t feel any clearer about the whole situation than I did before.”
“Maybe you just need to take the pressure off yourself.”
“Maybe.” I run my hand over my thigh, just as my phone starts beeping in my ear. I pull it away from my face and then stare down at the caller ID.
Oh fuck.
“Georgia?” Daisy’s voice echoes from afar. “Are you still there?”
“My dad is calling me,” I grit out. “I think I should maybe just ignore?—”
“No,” she stops me. “Absolutely not. You need to answer it and just face up to whatever he has to say. I think that’s the best way to deal with it. Head on.”
“Head on,” I repeat. “Got it. Love you.” I switch over to talk to my dad. As soon as it connects, I hear him let out a loud breath.
“You answered,” he grunts. “I’m shocked.”
“Why?” I squeak out, and then clear my throat. “You’re my dad.”
“That didn’t stop you from dodging me.”
“I said I was sorry for that,” I insist. “I shouldn’t have avoided you. I guess I was just worried.”And it turns out that I had every reason to be. This is a freaking nightmare.
My father pauses for a few beats and then makes some sort of incoherent grunt. “Yeah, you know, I could see that.” He pauses,and he continues. “And I get that I probably overreacted. It was just shocking to see you in Charleston. I… I guess I just thought you were still in NYC. I didn’t think you’d come back home and not tell me.”
“Well, again,” I blow out a breath, trying not to get defensive. “I thought you were in Italy, and I wasn’t sure if it was worth telling you, anyway. Not until after I was done, and I’d been paid.”
“And you knew which direction your and Brody’s relationship was going, right?” His voice remains somewhat reasonable in tone, and I have to admit, it brings me some relief.
“Yeah, I guess so.”
His voice brightens. “Where’s the yacht docking next?”
“I’m not completely sure…” My voice trails off.
“Well, I’m sure Brody can get you to Savannah? I’m in town here for a few business meetings. I came home early from Italy to handle the business here.”
“Oh, okay. I’m sure I can talk to Brody about it.”
“I’d just really like to meet you for dinner.Bothof you. It’d be nice for us to sort this out. I know I overreacted. Like I said, it was just a shock.”
“Yeah, I understand.”
“Good,” he quips. “Now, go talk to Brody and let’s get this out of the way. Deal?”
