Page 112 of My Only

I saw it instantly.

The way Harper’s smile dropped just a little.

The way she forced herself to nod.

“Okay. I guess… yes. Thank you.”

My father’s focus returned to me. “Let’s go.”

I barely got out a “See you later” to Harper before I was following my father out of the restaurant.

The moment the restaurant’s doors shut behind us, I let out the breath I didn’t even know I was holding.

“Where are you parked?” he asked.

I gestured toward my car a few feet away.

“Good.” He pulled out his Range Rover’s key fob and unlocked the SUV in front of us. “Follow me to Long Island. I need to drop this food off to your mother.”

I nodded and did exactly as he said.

The whole drive to Long Island was strange.

My father didn’t call me. Didn’t text.

Didn’t do anything except drive ahead of me.

And the entire way there, my thoughts raced.

That pause at the door when he first saw me sitting across from Harper?

That look?

That wasn’t just surprise.

That was something else.

And I was starting to realize exactly what it was.

We reached my childhood home in under an hour.

By then, it was already ten at night.

I pulled into the driveway behind his Range and watched as my father stepped out, takeout bag in hand.

He gestured for me to stay put before disappearing inside.

Less than ten minutes later, he stepped back outside.

Then he headed straight for my car.

I rolled the window down when he was within feet.

“We’re going to the Green Room.”

“The Green Room?" I glanced at the dashboard clock. "Come on, Dad, not now. It's almost eleven. I gotta get home, get to bed, and be up for work in the morning.”

“I’m aware.” His voice was steady. “I won’t keep you long.”

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