“I haven’t, Dad,” I assure him. “My future is still very much intact. My career is fine. I’m just still figuring some things out.”
Like how to not overthink things and how to get out of my damn head.
“Sometimes I get in my own way,” I add.
“I get that,” he nods again, his expression soft and warm. “I just want you to know I’m sorry and I hope we can move forward from this.”
I swallow hard as the weight lifts from my chest. We’d been needing to have this conversation. Things haven’t felt right since we got into the stupid fight. “I’d like that.”
“I’m sorry for not apologizing sooner,” he says after a moment, letting out a deep sigh of regret.
“It’s okay,” I chuckle, a smile breaking out across my face. “I’m sorry I didn’t either. Believe it or not, sometimes my ego doesn’t want me to admit when I’m wrong.”
A soft laugh comes from the backdoor as it’s pushed open. “Hmm. That sounds familiar, doesn’t it, Carson?” My mother walks over to him, planting her hands on the tops of his shoulders. “You are your father’s son,” she says to me, a smile pulling across her lips.
“Let’s try not to do this again?” My dad says, looking back at me. He shrugs his shoulders. “I’ll let you do your thing, from now on. I’m just here to be supportive, without critiquing.”
“That sounds great.” I nod at him, contentment washing over me. “I’ll also, you know, keep my shit together if I don’t like something you said.”
“Thank God you two finally got over your little fight!” Elena claps her hands from where she’s standing in the doorway. Bella stands next to her, her head tipping back as laughter falls from her lips.
“Okay, the three of you can go back inside now,” my father says as he reaches for Mom’s waist and pulls her over to him. “I need to talk to your mom for a minute.”
“Or two,” she giggles as she drops down onto his lap.
“You guys are gross,” Elena scoffs, spinning on her heel to head inside. I’m already on my feet, walking away from the two of them.
“Get a room,” Bella calls out, still standing in the doorway.
“This is our house,” Dad reminds her, wrapping his arms around Mom’s waist. “I can kick all three of you out whenever I want.”
Bella rolls her eyes and slips back inside. I pause just inside the doorway, glancing over my shoulder at our mom and dad. Neither are looking over at us. Mom’s hands are on Dad’s chest and she’s staring down at him with nothing but love and adoration in her gaze.
He sweeps the hair away from her face, his eyes only meant for her. He’s always looked at her as if she’s the only one he could truly see.
I turn away, quietly closing the door behind me as I step into the house, feeling a tug inside my chest. I’ve never felt a love like what they have…
And at this point, I’m not so sure I ever will.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
JADE
“He was close... too close. Yet, I didn’t want him to move.” - Clara Foss, Painted Inferno
The elevator dings as it reaches the first floor. My stomach knots and I push my curled hair over my shoulders, adjusting my purse when the doors finally open.
This isn’t a date.
That’s been my mantra all day. While I fixed my hair and my makeup. While I stood in front of my closet and tried on seventeen different outfits. There’s no reason for me to feel this nervous about getting dinner.
I grab the top hem of my black high-waisted jeans, hiking them up a little higher, and straighten the buckle of my designer belt. Since it’s not a date, I opted for a pair of black jeans, a cream-colored tight-fitting sweater, and a pair of heeled boots.
It’s nothing too fancy, yet not too casual. Matteo didn’t tell me where we’re going tonight, so this is what he’s getting.
When I reach the front door to my apartment building, I see Matteo just beyond the sidewalk. He’s leaning back against theside of his sleek, black SUV, arms crossed over his chest and his legs crossed at the ankles.
Jesus Christ, looking as good as he does should be a crime.
