Page 38 of The Inn Dilemma

I know it’s childish, but I throw a barb. “The art.”

His expression falls. “Well, Beau did promise to get you in with the prominent artists of Paris. Did he do that?”

From his level tone, I can’t tell if he’s attempting to cut me right back or is showing genuine interest.

“Not exactly.” I grab a breadstick and rip a section off, putting it in my mouth in hopes I can gather my thoughts and a smidgeon of wisdom before I have to speak again.

“Hmm,” Dad hums. “I suspected he wasn’t the man you thought he was.”

The word “suspected” is unexpected. I imagined I’d hear something more along the lines of “I told you so” or “I know how to read people and you should have listened to me.” I swallow the bite of bread without tasting it.

“Not at all,” I admit. His expression tells me he wants to know more, but this is all I have for today when it comes to my mistakes. “So, what’s going on with you?” It’s a generic question, but that’s all I can manage right now.

He gives me a sad smile. His mask of pride and confidence slips from his face. “I’m sure you know by nowthat I’m sick.”

“Kidney disease.”

Dad raises his eyebrow. “You must have been talking to your brother. The doctors tell me I either need dialysis or a kidney transplant. Neither of which is appealing to me.”

“I don’t think that’d be appealing to anyone,” I say.

“I’d imagine a kidney transplant wouldn’t be great, but it would be a long-term solution without a long-term weekly commitment.”

It’s Dad’s turn to grab a breadstick and bite into it. For the first time since I can remember, he looks uncomfortable.

“Unfortunately, I am not exactly high on their priority list for a kidney.” After a brief, silent moment, he stands. “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”

“Sure.”

He heads to the bathroom, which is thankfully in the opposite direction of Mom and Trevor. I take out my phone and send a quick text to Holt.

Pray for me. I’m out to lunch with my dad and…Mom is here with her “work friend.”

No response comes as I wait for Dad. Which I fully expected. But sending a text to Holt bolstered my courage.

“Trevor?” I hear Dad ask.

“Ah, Mr. Price. What a nice surprise.” Trevor’s tone is full of sincerity covered in slime. If sincere slime existed, Trevor would be its poster child.

I can hear the two men approaching me from behind.

“Nova?” Trevor chuckles. “Yet another pleasant surprise.”

Unsure of what to do, I stand, pushing my chair back, which screeches and makes me wince.

Trevor leans forward and kisses my cheek.

“You know Nova?” Dad asks.

Trevor puts his arm around my shoulder and tugs me into his side. “I got to meet this pretty girl shortly after her return from Paris.”

“That’s a bit of an exaggeration, but yes, one day at brunch, Mom and I ran into Trevor, and I was able to meet Mom’s work associate.” The white lie slips out, and I immediately feel guilty.

Trevor’s fake smile slips for a second. “Right. I just so happened to bump into Amanda and Nova at the restaurant. Amanda graciously invited me to sit with them, and to keep unwanted male attention from them, I agreed. You have two very beautiful women in your household.” He winks.

Dad’s nostrils flare and his eyes light up with fire as his gaze drifts behind me. “I suppose you just ran into Trevor here, too? Hmm?”

My head whips around to find Mom staring back at Dad like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming eighteen-wheeler.

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