Chapter Twenty-Two
Rainey
I wake up the next morning after a fitful night’s sleep.
Once I finished with the goodie bags, Lucas followed me to my apartment to make sure I arrived safely before he headed back home.
He’s such a gentleman but so hung up on the mistakes of his past, he doesn’t see himself the way the rest of the world does.
But I’m determined to show him he’s wrong.
Especially about my father. I don’t miss the irony, though.
While I’m worried about Jack’s reaction, he’s concerned about my dad’s.
Though I have calls to make to assure myself all the vendors will show up for the anniversary party, I need to take care of something for Lucas first. I call ahead to see where I can find my father. He isn’t going into the office today, so here I am on my parents’ front porch.
I ring the bell and Dad answers the door. Instead of his usual suit and tie, he’s in a pair of khakis and a short-sleeved polo shirt. “Hi, princess. Come in.”
I step into the house and he shuts the door behind me, then gives me a hug. “Come into the kitchen. Mom’s out doing some grocery shopping. You know how she loves to do normal chores.”
I laugh. “Yes, Mom doesn’t let you spoil her in basic ways.”
While Dad can afford a chef and a housekeeper, Mom insists on doing most of those things herself.
She didn’t grow up wealthy like he did and she wanted us kids to know how to care for ourselves.
What we decide to do as adults is up to us.
I’m more like Mom. I cook, clean—though I have a cleaning crew come in often—and grocery shop.
I’m determined to be a capable grown-up.
Of course, Dad spoils her in other ways.
A private jet, an island retreat, and more jewelry than she wants or can wear.
He’s set the standard by which I judge men, and it just so happens Lucas meets that high standard, which is why I’m here.
“Coffee?” he asks.
I nod. “I’ll take care of it.”
I walk over to the Nespresso machine and make us each a steaming cup of coffee. From the fridge, I take out the vanilla almond creamer for me and the plain one for Dad.
Once we’re set, I sit beside him on a high barstool around the center island.
“What’s up, kiddo?”
I’m transported back to when I was a kid with the nickname that preceded princess. I take a sip of hot coffee and try to convince myself I feel the jolt of caffeine flowing through my veins. In reality, I’m sure it takes much longer than that.
I clear my throat and meet his gaze. “I’m seeing Lucas Carras and before you say anything, I need you to hear me out.
He thinks you still have issues with him because of his childhood and the trouble he got into.
And if you do, you’re wrong. He’s a good man.
He’s been there for me through everything going on with the party issues.
He makes sure I get home safely. He hears me.
Like, really listens to what I have to say and doesn’t forget.
When Adam got nasty with me, Lucas stepped up.
He threatened him and protected me. All his issues are in the past and—”
“You love him.”
I stare at my father, wide-eyed. “I do,” I whisper.
“Can I speak now?” he asks with a grin.
I nod. “Sorry for the rambling. Go ahead.”
He lifts his coffee mug and takes a drink before putting it down and meeting my gaze. “I know about you and Lucas. Hudson called.”
I roll my eyes. “Of course he did.”
“He loves you, Rainey. He’s just looking out for you,” Dad says.
“Yeah. He loves me so much I’m sure his first call was to Jack. To get him all worked up and pissed off at Lucas.” I curl my hands around the granite counter’s edge.
Dad shakes his head. “You had to know this relationship would come with… complications. But not from me.”
“No?”
“As far as I’m concerned, Lucas grew up. Changed. Became a decent man. Everyone has a past. It’s what you do going forward that matters.”
I let out a relieved breath. “I knew it,” I say out loud.
Dad rises to his feet. “You mentioned some other things. Like party issues? And Adam threatening you?” His voice rises with that last one.
Oh damn. I rambled on so much about Lucas, I revealed things I meant to keep to myself. I put my hand on his arm. “Dad, it’s all being handled.” Not that I think mere words will calm him down.
“By you. And you want to be independent and take care of things yourself,” he says, repeating words I’ve used with him before.
“Not just by me. By me and Lucas. Like I said, he’s handled Adam and you know he had the broken window replaced for me. And the other stuff involves some missing merchandise and swag, but I’m making things work. It’s going to be a great party. I promise.”
He runs a hand through his hair and groans. “Is that what you think I’m worried about?”
“Yes?”
“No! I’m worried about you!” he yells, just as the door sensor beeps and my mother walks through the side door by the kitchen, grocery bags in hand.
“What is going on? I can hear you yelling outside!”
Dad paces the floor and turns to Mom. “My daughter just let it slip that she’s having issues with that jackass Adam again, and with missing merchandise and orders. On top of the brick through her window that was never resolved. And she thinks I’m worried about the party. I’m worried about her!”
Mom places the grocery bags on the counter and walks over to him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “Ian, take a deep breath and calm down.”
To the surprise of no one who knows the effect my mother has on her husband, he listens. He draws a deep breath and lets it out. There’s a reason we call her the Ian Whisperer.
“Good.” She looks at me and winks. “I’m sure Rainey has things under control. Right, Rainey?”
I nod. “Right. I told him Lucas and I are handling things.” If Dad knows about Lucas, I have no doubt he told Mom, who pretended she didn’t already know.
“See? They’re handling things,” Mom says. She glances at the table and narrows her gaze. “You’re drinking coffee, Ian? Is it regular or decaf?”
“I made it and it’s regular. Why would Dad need decaf?” I ask, suddenly worried about my father.
Dad shakes his head. “Riley, we agreed to keep that quiet!”
Mom winces. “Sorry. I slipped. Your father has high blood pressure, but he’s on medication and he’s fine. But he’s calmer without the caffeine.”
“Dad! We need to know these things. Do my brothers know?” I ask.
“No!” my parents say at the same time.
Well, that’s good. At least I’m not the only one in the dark. “Dad, no more caffeine for you.” I pick up his mug, walk to the sink, and dump out the contents, then rinse it with water.
Dad looks at me, a small smile on his face, then turns and gives Mom the same half grin. “You two. My head is spinning. And, Riley, you didn’t react to the news about Adam, which means… you knew.”
“I knew,” she admits. “But this is why we didn’t tell you. You’re upset and we didn’t want you to…”
“Get all protective,” I say. “I knew you’d be angry that I’m dealing with him, but the museum exhibit for the team is an amazing idea, so it was the right thing to do.
It’s not my fault Adam is the curator. Besides, Lucas was the go-between.
Everything’s fine. I might have gotten Adam fired for being a disrespectful, rude jerk, but other than that, it’s all good.
” I spread my hands out in front of me. “See? Handled.”
Dad turns to my mother. “Why did we have so many children?”
“Because you like sex,” Mom says without flinching.
I cringe. “That’s it. I’m leaving!” My parents have always been overly affectionate and that hasn’t changed.
Mom is in Dad’s arms right now. “I don’t want to hear about my parents having sex!
” I step over to them, and Mom separates from Dad so I can give him a hug.
“Thank you for what you said about Lucas,” I tell him.
“I never say what I don’t mean. I love you, princess. I only want the best for you. As for you and Lucas, I’m fine, but good luck with Jack.”
Dad winks at me and I let out an ARGH sound, throwing my hands up in the air. “Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad! I love you both!” I say, rinsing out my own coffee mug before picking up my bag and walking out the kitchen door my mom entered through.
I pause, my hand on the doorknob. “Do you happen to know if Jack is back, and if so, where is he?”
“He called when he landed. And if I had to guess, he went straight to see Lucas.”
I groan and rush out of their house and over to my car. Next stop? Lucas’s apartment.