Page 64 of Love at First Ink

Her mother be damned.

Marisol was still admiring her flowers when her phone rang again. She half expected to see Cisco calling her, but was surprised to see her dad’s name and picture come across her phone. She hesitated, hand hovering over the phone. Should she answer?

The last time she spoke to her father was at the family dinner a few days ago. It wasn’t her father’s fault…but he also didn’t try very hard to stop it. He had called once since then. She hadn’t answered, but ignoring him a second time? It would only be a matter of time before he came knocking down her door.

She couldn’t put this off anymore.

With a sigh of resignation, Marisol answered the phone. After all, it wasn’t her father she was upset with.

“Hi, Daddy.”

“Marisol!” her father’s voice boomed in her ear. She could hear a lot of noise in the background and knew she was on speaker.

“Are you driving?” she asked.

“Yeah, but don’t worry. I have you hands-free,” he said, like that made her feel better. Her father couldn’t multitask most of the time. “I wanted to check in with you. I haven’t heard from you since our dinner.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve been busy,” she said.

“With your volunteering?” he asked.

It took Marisol a moment to remember that she mentioned it at dinner, but she didn’t think her parents thought much about it or remembered. Her father always found ways to surprise her though.

“Yeah, I mean, kind of. I had a meeting with the other volunteers yesterday. It went really well.”

“Excellent!” her father said, as if she just told him she aced a test she was worried about. “Whatever you need, let me know. I want to help out any organization my girls are interested in. Lola has me donating to libraries in her district. I got a few cards from the kids. Can’t read most of them, but it’s cute.”

“I’m actually glad you brought this up.” Since she had appointed herself as the event planner for the fundraiser, having her father’s support would help. It wouldn’t hinder her process, but it would definitely make it a lot easier.

“I’m helping create a fundraiser for the animal shelter. I have a few contacts I’m going to reach out to in hopes they want to help sponsor the event. I was wondering if you wanted to have a booth at the fundraiser selling your wines? A percentage of those proceeds could go back to the shelter,” she asked, feeling like one of his business partners.

“That’s a good idea, sweetheart. All proceeds will go to the shelter. Make note of that, okay? I’m very proud of you, Marisol. This is good work you’re doing.”

Marisol smiled bashfully, even though her father couldn’t see her. Twice today she had two very important men in her life say they were proud of her. It was a damn good feeling, giving her a high. For once, she felt like she was doing something good. Something that wasn’t just for herself, but others.

“Thanks, Daddy. I’m really enjoying it. If you have any other recommendations of people I should reach out to, please let me know.”

“I will,” he promised, then he paused. All she heard was the sound of his turn signal. After a moment, he said, “I actually called to invite you to the soft launch party for our new store. I hope you and that young man of yours will come. I’ve already spoken to Mom. She feels badly for how she acted and wants to see you there.”

It took everything in her power not to scoff. It was a cold day in hell when her mother apologized. She didn’t doubt that her mother would want to see her there, but she greatly doubted she wanted Cisco with her.

“I know it’s a lot to ask, but I really want my girls there,” her father said. There was a soft cadence to his voice she hadn’t heard before. Like he was holding back his fear, possibly thinking she would refuse him.

Honestly, she had half a mind to do just that. Mostly to avoid any awkward encounter between her mother and Cisco. But this was her father. She had always been close to her father and supported him in his endeavors. She didn’t want to miss out on this major milestone for him, simply because she feared her mother. Alice said she needed to find a way to still be part of her family without letting her mother dictate her position.

“Okay,” she said at last. There was a sigh of relief on the other end of the phone. “I can’t promise Cisco will come, but I’ll be there. When is it?”

“I’ll send over the invitation. I can’t wait to see you, sweetheart. It might be a good time to ask around about your fundraiser, too. But listen, I’ve made it to my appointment. I need to go, but I’ll get that information to you. Love you, and I’ll see you soon.”

“Love you too, Daddy. Bye,” she said as the line went dead.

Clicking through her phone once again, she found Cisco’s name and typed out a message.

So…how do you feel about another family party?

CHAPTER 28

Cisco

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