“You’re such a sweet talker.”
His brows furrowed. “Really, get something to eat.”
I blinked. He was worried about me.
And I was immortal.
He might be more overprotective than my father was.
“Do you want something?” I asked.
He rubbed his forehead and sighed. “Actually, a cup of coffee would be great.”
I nodded and walked to the counter, glancing at my father. “Do you want a cup?”
My father blinked. Twice. “I’ll take something a little harder if it’s available.”
Godric rested more comfortably on his chair and tossed his arm over the back of mine. “I’ve got a bottle of whiskey.”
My father looked back to where I was working on the coffee machine. “I want the whole bottle.”
I chuckled. “I’ll get you two shots of whiskey and a cup of coffee.”
“I guess that’ll have to do.” My father turned his attention to the person he really wanted to speak with. “Tell me, Mr. King, how in the hell do you think this is actually going to work? While it appears you two have fallen head over heels for each other, you and I are still on opposite sides of every world view. Ideals, I might add, my daughter also agrees with.”
Godric cracked his neck, the popping noise like wood breaking. “I’m doing what I believe is best for the entire populace of the world—”
My father jerked his hand up in a stopping gesture. “I don’t want to talk business, Mr. King. I want to know how you actually believe this personal relationship is going to work.”
Godric stared into his eyes. “Like any other relationship does. With bumps and bruises. I can’t tell you a perfect fix for this situation.” He shook his head of tawny curls. “I’ve fallen for a woman who is funny and intelligent and strong and beautiful. I didn’t want to. My parents’ marriage was so fucked up that I never wanted a relationship. But as soon as I met Poppy, I started falling. I won’t let her go now. I care too deeply for her to do that.”
I slowly shut my gaping mouth.
My hand looked a little ridiculous halfway up in the air with a spoonful of cold macaroni, so I quickly stuffed the food into my mouth. I chewed and aimed a direct glare at my father.
He was upsetting Godric. I didn’t like that.
My father rubbed his chin, glanced at me, and then looked back to the man across from him. “You two are very different. Do you believe it will work long-term?”
“Are you asking if I’m going to marry her?”
I froze in place, another bite of macaroni caught in mid-air.
My father shrugged. “Is that a possibility?”
“When I think she’s ready, I’ll ask her.”
I ate my bite, chewing slowly.
My father looked into my eyes.
I nodded. I approved of his answer.
My father raised his eyebrows in surprise, but he glanced to Godric. His features shut down, his expression stone cold. “I have one personal question of my own. One I’ve never asked you, and perhaps I should have. Did you know there was a glitch in your system? Were you just cutting corners to make more money?”
I held my breath.
Godric didn’t flinch. He stated, “I didn’t know about the glitch that failed your wife. I would never have held back lifesaving supplies. There are plenty of cities now that continue to receive medical equipment, even when they are millions of units behind in payments.”
