Normally when he looks at me like that, I shrink a little inside, ashamed and sad that I’m a failure who can’t measure up. But right now, rebellion churns in my heart. And I don’t want to drink water instead of the delicious wine or worry about being a size zero and forgoing a wonderful dinner with Nicholas.
I lean forward and deliberately take the lobster into my mouth. My eyes on my father, I chew thoroughly and swallow, then take a generous sip of my wine.
A vein in Dad’s forehead visibly pulses. He’s probably imagining shoving his fingers down my throat and making me throw up what I just ate. Or he could be fantasizing about strangling me. I don’t care at this point.
“Good girl.” Nicholas smiles.
“It’s delicious.” I smile back at him. “Thank you.”
Nicholas turns to my dad. “Was there anything else you wanted?”
Dad fists his hands. “No.” Then he openly glares at me. “I can’t believe you already forgot what I told you. Every time you try to reach for something you don’t deserve, you’re going to fall harder.”I’m so ashamed of you,his expression screams.
He spins around and stalks off to a table where Renée is waiting. She looks at him curiously, but he shakes his head. I lift my wine glass in a silent greeting to her—she has no idea how my dad treats me—then turn to Nicholas. “Sorry about that.” I force a smile as embarrassment and hurt burn my face. I don’t want to ruin this time with Nicholas over what Dad did.
Nicholas reaches over and holds my hand, like nothing matters to him except being with me. “It’s okay. Shall we continue with our dinner?”
“Yes.” But no matter how hard I try, the light, teasing mood that my dad destroyed doesn’t return.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Nicholas
I stand in the kitchen, thinking. Molly’s out shopping at a bookstore after our late brunch. I wanted to ask her to hang out with me, but she probably needs some retail therapy after that ridiculous incident with Kevin Greene last night.
What an asshole. My father is a dick, but he doesn’t criticize us publicly like that. His problem is that he’s too self-centered and oblivious to know he’s being insulting and obnoxious. In his world, everything out of his mouth is golden and his every thought deserves to be immortalized.
But Molly’s dad is an intentional asshole. He knows how his actions and words can damage her. And he enjoys hurting her for some reason.
She looked so pretty and playful as she teased me under the table. Her eyes darkened, and a flush cast a rosy glow to her beautiful face, as though stroking me was turning her on, too. I was this close to saying, “Screw dinner,” and getting a suite at the hotel instead.
But after Kevin, that lightheartedness never came back. Sex that night was pleasurable, and I was extra attentive, but she didn’t have her usual spark. Instead, she just clung to me like I was going to vanish.
Fucking asshole.I should’ve punched him. Couldn’t, of course—he’s Molly’s dad. But I still want to throw him off a bridge.
That’s the least he deserves.
I stare out the window, tapping a little ditty on the counter with my fingers, and then text Georgia.
–Me: What’s the deal with Molly and her dad?
–Georgia: Why, what happened?
–Me: We ran into him last night.
–Georgia: Ugh. SUCH a dickhead. I feel bad about calling my best friend’s dad a dickhead, but I can’t think of anything kinder. Is Molly okay?
–Me: Hopefully. She’s out buying books.
–Georgia: That should cheer her up. New books always make her happy.
–Me: Is he always so mean to her?
This sets off a stream of texts.
–Georgia: Yes. He belittles her in front of me, too.
–Georgia: So embarrassing for him, and makes me furious for Molly.
