Page 9 of Beauty Beneath the Sorrow
I sound like a romance hater, but I’m not. I prefer to think of myself as a realist when it comes to romance.
“So, Bristol, what do you do?” I ask, then shift my attention to the server passing me with a dirty martini on his tray. I grab it, not caring whose table it’s going to. Without turning my attention back to her to hear her answer just as I take in a heavy swig.
“It’s 11 am.” A shocked expression on my dad’s face, watching me down the entire drink. “I thought we could have a nice lunch together?”
“I’m making conversation, aren’t I?” I snap, opening the menu.
Another uncomfortable set of side-eyes between the both of them.
“I, uh,” she stammers, “I just graduated—”
“Like yesterday?”
“Lina,” my dad says my name like a warning.
I don’t care. I have nothing left for my insufferable parents. I love them both, but that doesn’t mean I will pretend to be someone else. I refuse to perform and put on a show for my mother. I’m certainly not going to do it for my father.
“I know it’s a little strange having someone your age date your father, but Brian and I are in love,” she begins. I roll my eyes, but Bristol continues, “Maybe we could get to know each other? Like, have lunch sometime, just us. Your dad said you have a nice little group of friends.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” my dad agrees, rubbing her leg.God, I can’t take this.
At that moment, our server approaches the table. My phone vibrates with a text, but from the corner of my eye, I see my dad and Miss Lip-filler canoodle over the items on the menu.
Avery: We just got the reminder email from the airline about the partner run. Are we doing it again this year?
I forgot about that. I tap out a quick message before the server gets to me.
Me: I’m in. It kicked my butt last year, but seeing all those kids from the children’s hospital cheering us on made my burning ass cheeks more bearable.
Piper: I’ll see if Jack and I can fly down and participate independently.
Bailey: That would be awesome, Piper! And sure, I’ll sign up too.
Me: I’m glad you saw that email. I forgot to sign up when the airline first sent it a few months ago.
Suddenly, the server walks away. I shove my phone back into my purse, ready to get his attention because he seemingly forgot about me.
“We picked a couple of sushi dishes we could share,” my dad tells me, smiling and proud of himself.
Don’t freak out, Lina. I’m an adult. I’m an adult.I repeat to myself before I get upset. But my dad didn’t even ask me what I wanted. They’re assuming that I like sushi. It’s not something everyone eats. The very least they could have done was ask my opinion on it.
“I do think that’s a good idea, Lina. Maybe you and Bristol can spend some time together,” he picks up our conversation as if I didn’t hear them both the first time.
I’m trying so hard, but I’m over this already. I sit straighter in my wide-back chair.
“No, Dad,” I reply sternly. Then I turn to the young womansitting at his side, rubbing the back of his neck. “Look, I’m sure you’re nice and sweet, but I have no interest in getting to know another of my dad’s young girlfriends.” I shift in my seat again. “I’m not hungry—and I don’t even like sushi.” I fling my napkin on the table. “I’m going to go.”
Blank looks on their faces and in complete silence, they watch me grab my purse from the back of my chair. I’m sure my dad is stunned. He probably doesn’t know what to say, but he doesn’t need to say anything. Nothing is going to change how I feel.
I head to the doors, knowing that I came across as a total bitch, but what does Bristol expect from me? They’ve been seeing each other for what, like aminute? How can you fall in love with someone that fast? Especially someone like my dad who changes women like he changes clothes—all the fucking time.
“Lina!” I’m almost to my car when I hear my dad’s booming voice behind me, followed by his heavy footsteps. “What was that all about?”
“I have no interest in meeting her, Dad.” I shrug. “I don’t know why you insist on forcing the women you’re dating on me.”
He rubs his chin and lowers his eyes toward the ground, having no clue how to handle these situations with me. What can I expect from him? He’s never been a parent, just like I’ve never had a father. This is new for us, and we’re both navigating it the best way we can.
“I’m not trying to force them on you. I simply want you to be a part of my life,” he says.
