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Actually, I didn’t know, but there’s no avoiding it now.
My biggest secret is out in the world.
I feel exposed and bare in a way that I hate.
But my friends knowing how I feel about Vinny doesn’t change anything.
He’s marrying Juliet in two weeks, and I have a third date with Shane on the calendar.
Actually, a fourth date, because the third is already scheduled for this Tuesday.
VINNY
“I still don’t understand why he can’t sit at the rear table at the wedding dinner.”
“Because he’s your dad, Vinny.”
“Only biologically.”
Juliet shoots me a look as we walk from our car down Hess and Camila’s drive to their house.
“What?” I feign innocence. “He’s biologically my dad and nothing else.”
She shakes her head, obviously frustrated with me. “Still, he can’t sit three tables behind the new hire from your office.”
“Seth? He’s actually pretty awesome. Maybe we should move him closer to the front.”
“You’ve only known Seth for three months. Your dad has been your dad your entire life.”
“Not really,” I scoff.
Juliet stops walking before we reach the porch. I take two more steps before realizing she’s no longer beside me, and I turn around. She’s standing there with her arms folded, giving me a look I’ve become unfortunately familiar with over the last twelve years.
“Vinny, I don’t want to fight with you.”
“We wouldn’t be fighting if you hadn’t forced me to invite my estranged dad to our wedding dinner.”
Her arms drop. “He’s family, and I didn’t want you to someday regret not having him there.”
“I wouldn’t have regretted it, but fine. Have it your way. Put him wherever you want.”
“This isn’t about having it my way.”
“You could’ve fooled me.”
“For once, could you stop acting like every conversation about your dad is a personal attack? I’m trying to help.”
“That’s the problem. I don’t need you to fix this for me. I don’t want him in my life, and he obviously doesn’t want me in his. There’s nothing you need to do to help the situation.”
Her shoulders fall. “You’re right. I’m overstepping.” She shakes her head and starts walking again, prompting me to follow. “We can take a look at the seating chart tomorrow. But for right now, we’re already late.” We stop at the front door. “Can we just go inside, have fun with our friends, and pretend like you’re happy to be here?”
My brows drop. “I am happy to be here.”
“Your face disagrees.”
“My face always looks like this. I’m just an unpleasant person.”
That gets a small smile out of her. “No, you’re not.”
