Page 62 of One Night Only
It took months before he was even able to smile again. And a part of me knows that he still feels like it was his fault. That he wasn’t enough for Mom, wasn’t enough for either of us. He’s felt responsible for me ever since.
“I got hitched in Ireland,” I say lightly. “Didn’t you get my email?”
“Sarah—”
“I’m fine, Dad. I’d tell you if I wasn’t.”
We both know that’s a lie but thankfully, he doesn’t push it and I swiftly change the conversation, making him go into the bathroom to show me the phone in the mirror. But I’m only half listening as I take mental notes of any changes around the house, looking for signs of wear and tear.
I should go and visit him more.
You have to smile at the irony. Both of us worried about the other being alone while insisting it’s the right choice for ourselves. Maybe we’re too alike. Too stubborn for our own good.
Maybe we’re both still a little heartbroken.
I tear off another bite of my bagel as a door closes on his end. Dad’s eyes flicker to something off screen and a second later I hear a voice.
“Are you on a call?” It’s female.
I frown. “Who’s that?”
“Nobody,” Dad says, flashing a quick smile at the definitely somebody as he moves to another room. “Just Clem.”
Clem? Clementine?
“Our neighbor?” I ask, relaxing a little. She goes around a lot these days, making sure he’s okay.
“She’s brought over her air fryer,” Dad says, back to grumbling. “She insists it’s healthier.”
I nod as he starts taking about all the vegetables he’s now forced to eat and try not to think about how much slower he is on his feet. It’s good that Clem’s there.
Even if he is alone, at least he’s not lonely.
As long as I can say the same for me, I don’t think I’ll do too badly.
15
“So he’s like your rival?”
“He’s not myrival. He’s my colleague.”
Soraya hums, her eyes hidden behind wide sunglasses as she examines the photo of Matthias on my phone. “But he’s your boss now.”
“Technically he’s above me, but I don’t report to him.”
“But you—”
“Watch out!”
We both look up as a frisbee sails toward us, landing just beside Soraya’s feet.
A shirtless, muscled and he-knows-it man is already jogging over. “Sorry. I didn’t see you there.” He bends to pick it up, hesitating when he catches sight of her. “It didn’t get you, did it?”
“No.”
He grins, white teeth flashing. “I promise it wasn’t an excuse to come over here.”
“Okay.”
