Page 91 of Take Two

“He should move here,” he says, and I can’t think of a counterargument against that. I would love for him to move here and live with me, but how can I demand that when he runs a business? “I offered to invest in a restaurant here,” my dad says.

“Dad!” I should have known that’s what he was up to when he went to Birmingham, especially when Charlie said Dad demanded to see his books. “It’s too expensive here.” Though now that he’s put the idea in my head, I won’t be able to stop thinking about it. Dad would not offer if he didn’t have thefunds, and he’s never short of money. He definitely wouldn’t offer if he didn’t think Charlie could be profitable. “What did he say?”

“That he can’t accept that.” I don’t let my disappointment show. I’d feel the same way if his brother made me such an offer, though I probably wouldn’t have been as gracious as Charlie.

“Well, that’s a lot of money, Dad.” I look out the window, suddenly depressed at what the future holds for me and Charlie, but I tuck that away. I’m going to enjoy my time with him, and after Sunday, I’ll focus on when I’m going to see him next. “You’ve already helped me so much with the apartment and the gym. And who knows how long your business partner will let me rent for so cheap. If he sells, I’m in big trouble.” The rent would skyrocket, and my profits would nosedive.

He snorts and shakes his head. “Do you know who your landlord is?” he asks, and I tell him no. “Sure, you do,” he says. When I insist that I don’t, he says, “It’s me. That’s my building.”

My head whips around and I look at his profile. He’s looking straight ahead, and from his tone and that smug smile on his lips, I know he’s serious.

“What?”

“It’s just one of the manymanyproperties I own. That rent you’re paying, I’ve set aside for you. The house your mother lives in is yours,” he says.

“What on earth are you talking about? How can the house be mine? Didn’t Mom get it in the divorce?”

“Nope. When we divorced, the house was in your grandma’s name. When she passed away a few years ago, I inherited it, but it was her wish that you get it. Well, you were waiting tables and living with me. I couldn’t trust you with it back then.”

“I’m so confused.”

“Grandma transferred the house to me before she died. That was way after the divorce so your mother was never entitled to it, but I let her live there because it’s your home.

“And Wade? You let that user live in your house? Why?”

“Well, I didn’t anticipate that but think about how good it will feel when you let it drop that he’s living in your house. You can do the honors and kick him out. You’re welcome. Trust me, it’s going to feel good.”

I don’t know how I’m supposed to do that when my mom lives there too, but I don’t respond immediately as I try to absorb his words. “Dad, you’re so messy,” I finally say.

He grins at me but doesn’t deny it.

“I can help Charlie. I helped you and you’re doing great. I’m your dad, and I want you to be happy. Talk to him about it.”

“How rich are you?” I ask, suddenly realizing I have no idea about that part of my dad’s life. He’s retired now, but when he was working, all I knew was that he made a lot of money. He never lacked anything, and everything he had was always the best.

“Filthy,” he says. “You won’t know the full extent of it until I’m dead, but I’m not going anywhere for at least three decades, so don’t even think of putting a hit out on me,” he jokes. “You, my dear, are an heiress.”

“And you never thought to tell me this before?”

“I had to keep you humble.” He cackles and slaps my knee. After a few minutes, he asks, “Do you love him?”

“I do,” I say.

“He loves you too. He told me, and two people who love each other should not live a thousand miles apart when they don’t have to. He can keep the restaurant in Birmingham. It’s doing really well. He can open something similar here. He can keep it simple. Small menu.Maybe—”

I tune him out and imagine a world where Charlie lives in New York City. With me. A world where we go to sleep together each night and wake up in each other’s arms. A world where we hang out with his brother’s family and babysit the nephews whenever they need us to. A world where the boys will come over for sleepovers and we’ll get to spoil them with sweets and movies. We would be the aunt and uncle who show up for every event and cheer them on. We’d be the ones to intervene when they’re in trouble. We’ll spend holidays between his family and mine, and we’ll complain about how annoying it is dealing with my parents exchanging barbs at each other.

Now that the seed has been planted, I don’t know how I’m going to rid those thoughts from my mind.

He’s thinking about marriage. Colt’s words from a few weeks ago come back to mind, but Charlie has never broached the subject of marriage. He’s never mentioned moving in together. He’s never talked beyond what we have right now, and I wonder if Colt’s words were his own interpretation of something Charlie said.

I know one thing already, and it’s that this long-distance relationship is harder than I thought it would be. There’s no possible scenario where it gets easier.

“But don’t get any ideas.” I turn to face my dad, completely confused about what he’s talking about now.

“Hmm?” I ask.

“My brownstone. You’re not getting that until I’m dead,” he says with a guffaw. “And I’m not going anywhere until I get grandkids.”

---