Page 102 of Beauty Beneath the Sorrow
“I have lunch with him today, too,” I tell her, remembering that my dad asked me to have lunch with him after my outburst at the restaurant with his new girlfriend a few weeks ago.
“Who? Carter?”
“No, my dad,” I say as we approach our cars in the parking lot outside the Pilates studio.
Avery nods her head. “Oh, okay.”
“I think it’s just me and him this time.”
“That’s good. You said last time that it didn’t end well.”
“Well, that’s because Bristol was there too. I ended up walking out.” I rest my hip against the side of my jeep with both of my hands clutching my coffee.
“Sorry about that. Look at it this way, if your dad ever does find out about you and Carter, it’s not like he has much say, you know?”
“What do you mean? They’ve been friends for like twenty years,” I argue. I would never forgive myself if what Carter and I are doing ruins the friendship he has with my dad.
“I get that, but your dad wasn’t in your life, and he needs to tread lightly if he wants you to continue welcoming him into it.” Avery taps the button to unlock her white BMW.
“Absolutely. It wouldn’t be me I’d worry about as much as it would be his relationship with Carter,” I say.
“Men do not hold grudges or stay mad at each other for very long. I’m sure he’d get over it.” She holds one finger in the air between us. “After the initial shock dies down.”
“I don’t even want to think about any of that right now,” I whimper, circling my temples.
Avery opens her car door and props her arm against the topof it. “You might have to at some point. I’ve got to run. Good luck with your dad.”
I blow her a quick kiss, then climb up the step into my pink jeep. “Later.”
When I get home, I only have enough time to take a quick shower before I have to meet my dad for lunch.
Heading down the stairs, I spot Zoe in the kitchen, huffing under her breath while rummaging through the cabinets.
“Hey, can I help you find anything?” I ask while heading toward her.
She jumps off the counter with a scowl on her face. “Mom said she brought over those vegan protein bars I like, but I can’t find them anywhere.”
“We have some protein bars in the pantry.” I point to the cracked door to the left of the sink.
She arches an eyebrow. “I can’t eat yours. They have coconut flakes in them.”
“You’re such a baby. I’ll stop by the store and pick some up for you when I get done having lunch with my dad.”
“Are you going to tell him you’re boning his best friend?” she asks as if inquiring about the weather.
“I really love you living here and being in my business twenty-four seven.” I respond sarcastically. “And no, we’re just going to hang out and visit with each other.”
“Cool. Don’t forget my bars,” she says, heading upstairs to her room.
I arrive at the restaurant before my dad and sit in silence fora short time before he gets there. After a quick hello, I dive right into what’s been on my mind, wasting no time.
“I’m sorry about how I stormed off last time we met for lunch.” I offer my dad a heartfelt apology. Bristol could be a very nice person, but I have no interest in getting to know her yet.
“I understand. Thank you for the apology.” My dad nods his head. “It was better last time with Jag, right?”
Carter.Everything is better with him. “Yeah.”
“That’s a step forward, right?” my dad asks in a more upbeat voice.
