Page 76 of Knotting Hill
I shake my head. “Not about me. But an old lady who needs your help.”
His concern turns to curiosity. “What do you mean?”
“There is this guy, Franco, he works at the coffee shop. His grandmother isn’t well with her heart, but she can’t get insurance. They have the money to pay for a consult and more, but the practice won’t see them without the insurance. Could you bend the rules for him, them?”
There, I’ve said it. I’ve done my bit. It’s now up to my dad.
He frowns. “Storm, you know this is extremely unethical.”
“I know!” I exclaim, dropping my head into my hands. “But I said I’d ask, and I have.”
He sighs and looks away. “Pass my number on to your friend. I’ll talk to him and then decide. Okay? I’m not promising anything.”
I peek out from between my fingers. “Really?”
“This once.”
I seem to be hearing that a lot from my parents lately. I’m abusing their positions, and I hate myself for it.
“I’m sorry.”
He takes my hand and squeezes it. “Don’t be sorry, Storm. You have such a big heart, so compassionate. I would expect nothing less from you to help a friend in need.” He leans forward to kiss my forehead and then stands up. “I have to go. Tell him to leave a message if I don’t pick up later. I’ll ring him back.”
I nod, knowing he will.
“Thank you, Daddy.”
He grins and bends down to grab his briefcase and the folder, which he stuffs inside. “I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m in all day unless there’s an emergency.”
“Lunch?”
“You know it.”
I smile, and the awkwardness of this conversation is gone.
True to Josh’s word, Russell is waiting for me at home time. “We have something special planned for tonight,” he says, stooping to give me a thorough kiss despite the fact that my mother has walked out right behind me.
I hear her snort into her hand and pull away quickly.
“Russ, this is mymum. Gloria Rivers, this is Russell St. Luc.”
“Charmed,” my mum murmurs as Russ grins at her. “I see Josh took my advice?” She raises her eyebrow as I gape at her.
“You?” I hiss.
She shrugs. “Me. I adore Josh, and I know he wouldn’t be packmates with idiots. The St. Lucs were my first choice for you, and it seems I was right.”
She winks and strolls away, waving as she makes her way to her car.
I shake my head. “Honestly, I don’t even know why I’m surprised.”
“She has been invaluable.”
I narrow my eyes. “Insider info…not fair.”
“Hey, we needed the big guns. You were extremely difficult to pin down.”
I laugh and take his hand, linking our fingers together. “Tell me more about this surprise. I prefer non-surprises.”
