Page 63 of Hyde and Seek

“Jacoby Hyde, this is a business. How’re you supposed to run it if you’re banning customers? Huh, Mr. Bossy Pants?”

“She had no right to say any of what she said to you. Rachel and I—”

I held up my hand to stop him. “Trust me, I don’t need to know. Not just don’t need to, I don’t want to. You owe me no explanations. I’m not your keeper. Honestly.” I looked up at him, hoping he believed me and didn’t drag this out.

I might be cool with everything but there was a limit to that. Hearing any details about him and Bitchy Biker Barbie waswellbeyond that limit.

Jake opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by a low chuckle. I looked over at the other man who still looked serious, though there was some amusement in his eyes.

His sharp and intense green eyes.

I knew who he was even before Jake introduced us.

“Piper, this is my father, Gregory Hyde. Dad, this is Piper Skye.”

I extended my hand to meet Gregory’s outstretched one. He took mine in his big, soft hand.

You could tell a lot about someone by their hands. Jake’s were large and calloused. They were strong, hard worked hands. I didn’t need to see his dad’s expensive, tailored suit to know he didn’t work with his hands like his son.

“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Hyde. Why don’t I go see the guys and leave you two to talk.” As I inched away, Jake’s hand released my neck in favor of this idea.

His father, however, held my hand tightly. “Please call me Gregory.” Not Greg. Gregory.

Don’t roll your eyes at Jake’s father!

“I just stopped by to take my son to lunch. I’d be honored if you’d join us.”

“Oh, Mr… Gregory, that is very kind of you. I couldn’t possibly—”

“Nonsense.” He guided me to the door. “Are you joining us, Jake?”

Jake grunted an unintelligible response, though he did follow.

*******

Lunch went well for the most part. Jake stayed quiet but it wasn’t his usual intimidating silence.

Key’s brooding could make a girl want to hold him and heal his wounded soul.

Jake’s brooding would make anyone run and hide.

Gregory was polite as we made small talk, but he watched me with a critical eye and it was hard not to fidget. He grilled me about my business, asking loads of unexpected and thoughtful questions. I wasn’t surprised when he told me he was an ADA.

As the lunch wore on he seemed to warm up and drop the interrogation. Unfortunately, he moved on to something worse.

For the second time that day, I was grateful for my mother’s lesson on not showing a reaction.

When Gregory began telling me about Jake’s time in law school before he’d dropped out, I easily hid my surprise. As he continued talking, though, I had to work hard to hide my anger. I’d heard the tone often enough to know that, much like mother, Gregory was disappointed in his son’s choice of career.

“I’m sure your parents are very proud of you.” Gregory smiled at me. “It sounds as though you’re doing quite well in such a lovely business.”

I didn’t get it at first. Hyde was a huge success. Jake had accomplished much more than I could ever realistically dream of.

It finally clicked that his dad was disappointed in thetypeof work he did.

“Actually my mom is dreadfully disappointed in me. My stepfather is Thomas Scalding, of Scalding, Inc.,” I revealed to the surprise of both Jake and Gregory. “My mom wants me to work a cushy job at Scalding until I find a husband and have children. She wants me to be happy, and, in her eyes, that means doing what she thinks would be best. If I did what she wanted, though, I’d be miserable.”

Gregory quietly looked at me for a minute, though it felt like much longer. His eyes, much like his son’s, seemed to be all-knowing.

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