The version of him I never knew. I figure he used to fill out a suit a whole lot better than he does now, but still.
“I don’t understand why you won’t let yourself live like thi—”
“Please, Hunt.” His voice is gruff, and he scratches his chin before seeming to remember there’s no beard. With a sigh, he drops his arm. “None of that, not today. Let’s just get this over with. All right?”
My jaw hardens, but I keep my mouth shut. I know Henry’s a veteran, and I’m guessing the army green blanket he usually carries around with him has something to do with that, but the man never tells me anything. I don’t blame him; I’m not exactly the sharing type either. But shit, it’s tough watching a good man punish himself.
Rebecca’s already in the kitchen when we enter through the back door. Steak and fried foods hit our senses, making Henry’s stomach grumble loudly.
I glance at him, and he shrugs like,What’d you expect?
“Oh my, well aren’t you two looking handsome tonight?” Rebecca grins and moves toward us, immediately embracing Henry in a brief, friendly hug. “It’s so nice to see you again, Conway.”
Henry stiffens and clears his throat but holds his head high when he replies, “Thank you, Mrs. Everest. And you as well.”
She waves a hand. “Oh, hush. I told you before, it’s just Rebecca. Any family of Hunt’s is family of ours.” She gestures to two chairs at the dining table, and Henry’s eyes dart to his feet before he follows me, taking a seat at my left. “Tim’s just wrapping up some work upstairs, but he’ll be down any minute. And Kimmie—where is that girl? Excuse me one second.” She disappears into the living room behind us. “Kimmie?” she calls. “Hunt and his father are here, honey.”
“Already?” Something drops upstairs, and then, “Dammit! Okay, I’m almost ready! Don’t start without me!”
Henry coughs and nudges my elbow. “Someone’s a little excited,” he taunts under his breath.
I don’t look at him, just shake my head, wishing I didn’t hear the eagerness ringing in Kimmie’s words. Henry knows all about my dad’s history, how hard I’ve worked to be nothing like him, and of course he’d bust my balls.
“Conway,” Tim calls behind me.
Henry and I both stand at the same time.
When Henry tries to shake Tim’s hand, Tim pulls him in for a hug and pats him on the back. “Thank you for making arrangements to join us for dinner. I know it couldn’t have been easy to orchestrate, what with the projects you’re currently overseeing.”
I tense, unsure of how Henry’s going to respond, but I relax a fraction when he says, “It was nothing. I’ve missed my son, and I’m glad to get another opportunity to thank the man looking out for him.”
Tim chuckles and nods. Henry’s whole body is stiff, but his words are smooth as all hell, and it sounded natural when he referred to me as his son.
“So, where’ve they got you these days? Still out in Oklahoma?”
This time, Henry hesitates.
Shit.
I sat him down beforehand and rehashed everything Tim and I have been emailing about under the pretense of Conway Hunt, but it’s a lot to remember.
Just when I’m about to jump in, Henry rubs his palms on his pants and murmurs, “Georgia, actually. Same client, but he’s opening an office in the Atlanta area as well.”
I blow out a breath of relief. I’m already wishing this was over, and we’re not even five minutes in.
Mr. Everest thinks my dad’s an architect, with the majority of his clients in other states, and that I’ll be moving with him after I graduate in a few months. It’s not an outright lie. Conway Huntwasa successful architect, and he did have clients in multiple states.
Before he lost it all to temptation and greed.
We take our seats again at the same time I register the front door opening and closing.
A few seconds later, Rebecca looks over my shoulder and brightens. “Hey. Perfect timing.”
There’s a pause. “Sorry, I didn’t realize ...”
My spine snaps to attention at the familiar sound of Blue’s voice, but I fight the impulse to look behind me.
“You’re fine, hun. Hunt and his father were just joining us for dinner. You hungry? I can whip something up for you really quick.”
