Daithí looks at me, and I see the worry in his eyes.
"I'm fine," I say, before he can ask.
"I know you are." He rubs the back of his neck. "Doesn't mean it's not shit."
"Language," I say, my lips twitching. I’m hoping to ease the weird as hell tension.
He looks at me for a second, and then he laughs, short and quiet. Thankfully, he says no more about it.
“The ring is beautiful, Quinn,” he says softly as he presses a kiss to my forehead. “It does suit you because it’s beautiful,”
My throat closes as I try to swallow past the lump in it. God, he’s the best.
“Thank you,” I whisper, hoping like hell that the tears don’t fall. I need to get away. I do the only thing I can do. I hide in the library.
I hear the door to the library open and I raise my head from my book as I watch Mamie walk toward me. She gives me a soft smile.
"Miss Quinn, your father would like to see you now that he's finished with Mr. Mariano."
My stomach drops, it's instant. Completely ridiculous and yet completely expected.
"Okay," I say, placing my bookmark between the pages and closing the book.
Mamie hesitates. "You alright, love?"
I force a smile. "Of course." The lie comes easily, just as it always does.
She studies me for a second like she knows I'm not telling the truth, but thankfully doesn't call me out on it. "Don't keep him waiting."
As though I would. I wait until she's gone before I look back down at my book. I haven't done anything wrong. At least, I don't think I have. My engagement ring catches the light as I twist it around my finger.
Maybe it's about the meeting with Lorenzo, maybe Dad thinks I said something I shouldn't have, maybe Lorenzo told him I was difficult. Maybe... no, stop it.
I pull in a deep breath and close my eyes for a second, I'm eighteen years old, I shouldn't feel like this every time my father wants to see me, I shouldn't immediately start trying to work out what I've done wrong.
But I do. I always do. The truth is, Dad doesn't need to raise his voice, he never has. One disappointed look from him has always been enough. I smooth my hands down my dress before standing. Then I leave the library and make my way through the house.
The closer I get to Dad's office, the tighter my chest becomes. It's stupid, I should be used to this by now. But when Dad is disappointed in me, I feel it right down to my bones, not to mention, the fear that encases my chest as I wait to see if he’s angry, angry enough to lash out.
I stop outside his office door, and for a second, I just stare at it, and then I straighten my shoulders and knock.
"Come in."
I open the door immediately. Dad's sitting behind his desk, reading through paperwork. He doesn't look up straight away, so I stand here waiting. One second, two, three. My palms start to sweat.
Finally, he lifts his head. "Close the door and sit down, Quinn."
"Yes, Da." I do exactly as I'm told, like I always do.
Dad sets his paperwork aside and folds his hands on top of the desk, for a moment, neither of us says anything. I sit up straighter.
"How did the meeting with Lorenzo go?" he asks.
The question catches me off guard. "Fine."
One eyebrow lifts. "Fine?"
I nod. "Yes, Da."
