I glance toward the windows, making a face when I realize who she’s referring to. “Gross. That is my dad, Abby.”
And Dad has spotted me, lifting one hand in a small wave. I grab a menu and head that way.
“What are you doing here?” I ask once I reach his table.
Dad smiles, reclining in his chair. “I missed you too, honey.”
He’s been in Europe for the past week, meeting with executives from some corporation Kensington Consolidated is considering partnering with. Honestly, I lose track of my dad’s frequent meetings and regular trips. He wasn’t gone for as long or as often when Rory and I were younger, but that’s starting to change now that we’re adults.
“Of course I missed you,” I say. “But I wasn’t expecting to see you until tonight. And at home. Not at my job.”
“I wanted to see where you work,” Dad tells me.
I arch an eyebrow. “It’s members only. You didn’t …”
Buying a membership just to visit me at work is something my dad would do. I already feel strange about the fact that everyone knows I’m not waitressing because I need the money. I don’t know exactly how much the memberships here cost, but my guess is, the average person would consider it expensive.
“I didn’t become a member,” Dad assures me. “I’m here as a guest of Hanson’s.”
I nod, relieved.
“Now”—Dad flips open the menu—“what’s good here?”
“The burger is popular,” I reply, tapping it with my pen. “So is the lobster roll.”
“We’re having lobsters tonight. I’ll have the burger.”
My pen stills. “We are?”
“Yes. Rory and Carson are visiting this weekend.”
I grimace as I scribbleburgeron the order pad.
“Wren.”
“I’ll be nice,” I mutter.
“Is there anyone you’d like to invite?”
My head snaps up, and I meet Dad’s gaze. I haven’t introduced them to a guy since I dated Third, and I think my parents are torn between concern that I’m scarred from how that ended and relief that they haven’t had to worry about any guy I’m dating.
“No,” I reply, shoving thoughts of Sawyer far away. “No one.”
I can’t picture him sitting down to eat with my family. Or having anything in common with Carson, who has a trust fund and I’ve never seennotwear a suit. I only met Sawyer’s mom by accident, and him meeting my family sounds very boyfriendy. He never answered myquestion—asking what we were—which is a reply in itself, and I’m too proud to ask again.
I underlineburger, then glance up. “Medium rare?”
Dad nods.
“Fries or salad on the side?”
“Fries.”
“Anything to drink?”
“I’m good with water.”
There’s already a glass on the table, which Abby must have delivered after seating him.
