My stomach sinks as I come to the realization that,yes, Gioistalking to my father.
“Yes, well. Your daughter is very important to me.”
Gio winks my way, but I’m not smiling. I feel sick. A sudden chill rushes through my body, worsening my nausea.
Coming off of Italy, my confidence had never been higher. I rejected a call from Dad for the first time. I told myself on the plane ride home that I need to block him, mulling over what my last text to him should say. But now it’s about twenty times more complicated.
Heat rushes to my face as I think about what my dad could’ve said about me while I was in the back. I swallow hard, trying to push down the anxiety and embarrassment rising up my throat.
Holding my phone up to his ear with his shoulder, Gio says, “No problem, you won’t have to bother her. I have Dan’s number saved in my phone. One moment.”
He retrieves his own from his pocket and starts scrolling through his contact list.
“Here it is. 614?—”
I rush toward him and snatch the phone out of his hand before he can rattle off my brother’s full number to Dad. His blue eyes bore into mine, and Gio’s breezy expression turns to one of confusion. The phone trembles in my clammy hand as I speak.
“Dad. It’s Tessa.”
I hate the way my voice sounds. Meek. Hurt.Pathetic.
“Oh, uh. Hey, Fashion Fairy.”
An air of disappointment clouds his voice. Usually, he’s much more adept at hiding it, but considering he wasthisclose to getting Daniel’s new number, he doesn’t even try to mask the indifference this time. The sound of typing on a keyboard fills the few seconds of silence while I wait for him to continue.
“Gio was just telling me that you two are free this Saturday. And your brother has that annual charity thing in the city coming up, right? He’s around? I know Dan hasn’t always been my biggest fan, but if I speak with him directly, I think I can change that. Make it all better between the two of us.Allof us, actually. You included, of course.”
Every muscle in my body feels tense, strung tighter than ever. “Of course.”
“So? Sounds like Gio had Dan’s number handy if you want to pass the phone back to him, kiddo.”
Every one of his words slice through me. The fact that he’d prefer to speak with a man he barely knows rather than his own daughter knocks the air right out of me.
“I can’t—bye, Dad.” With shaky hands, I end the call, completely mortified.
Why would Gio even answer?I’d told him that Dad and I were “distant” in Italy, and he’s so attentive. Gio might not know every detail, but it still doesn’t make sense.
Even after a few deep breaths, my voice still wavers when I ask, “Why… Why would you answer my phone?”
Gio’s eyebrows pinch together. “You said there was ‘distance’ between you and your father. That he was a traveling journalist. I have experience with distant families, and I want to help you mend your relationship with him. Plus, I didn’t want you to miss his call, not if he was going to be gone for a while. I think my papa would send out a search party if I didn’t answer him.”
My voice comes out in a whisper. “When I saiddistance, I wasn’t measuring it in miles, Gio. And not every father is the same. Not every relationship can be mended.”
Gio brushes a stray piece of hair out of my face, still looking a little confused. “Iwantto support you, now that we’re together. Your father seemed very excited about meeting with us. He wants a relationship with you. And if you want a relationship with him, there’s no reason that?—”
“I don’t want a relationship with him. Not anymore. I… I…” I flinch, hesitant to look in his eyes, not knowing what I’ll see in them. Disappointment, maybe, that I don’t agree with his sentiments about family? That I think some relationships are too broken to repair?
I cautiously look up at him. “Daniel’s no-contact with him. He hasn’t spoken to him in years. And you were about to give him his new number.”
His eyes widen. “I didn’t know. If I did, I’d have never?—”
“I know. I know you didn’t know.” I take a breath that’s meant to be calming, but instead rattles through my ribs and catches in my throat.
Gio reaches for my hand, but I step back, fidgeting nervously for the lip gloss in my pocket.
“He only ever calls to persuade me to bring Daniel to lunch or give him Daniel’s contact information. He’s never treated me like a daughter. Sometimes, he doesn’t even treat me like…”
I don’t know how I want to end that sentence, so I pause and collect my thoughts.
