Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
LARK
“ F ish, come on! Let’s go meet your grandparents!”
The click-clack of nails on the hardwood floors instantly sounds around the kitchen, and he comes trotting out from his pen at the back of the house. When Liam showed me the modified pen in the mudroom, I knew Fish would love it, so last night when we got home from the vet, I grabbed blankets from mine and Liam’s rooms and laid them on the floor of the pen so he would have our scents.
Liam suggested training him to sleep in the pen, at least until he’s potty trained. Because I don’t exactly relish the thought of having puppy pee on my pillows, I agreed. But I also beat Liam at rock, paper, scissors, so the moment he’s trained I get him as my bed buddy.
I could tell he didn’t want to leave Fish behind this morning when he left for work, but having an untrained, not-fully-vaccinated puppy in a sterile environment is a terrible idea so I kept him home with me. I’m not needed in the salon unless I want to be there, so it was an easy decision. Plus, this way I can bring him to meet my parents.
It only takes a minute to harness and leash Fish, and then we’re off on the short walk to my parents’ house down the beach. They’re only about a half mile away so I’m hoping that won’t be too much exertion for the little guy after his shots yesterday.
My mind races as we trek through the sand, thoughts tripping over each other as I think about a weekend alone with Liam away from the Cove. We won’t have to pretend to date because nobody there knows us, so will we just act like friends? Do I want him to treat me like just a friend?
When I thought he was asking me on a date yesterday, I felt panicky, like I was on the verge of hyperventilating. But then when he made it clear he wasn’t asking me on a date, a surge of disappointment like nothing I’ve ever felt before washed through my chest, leaving me hollow.
I think I wanted him to ask me on a real date. That maybe the panicky feeling in my chest was actually anticipation over starting something new and not fear like I originally thought. But the lingering anxiety that Liam might change his mind about me, or that Keelan won’t be okay with it, keeps my emotions rooted firmly in their little locked box in my heart.
Maybe this weekend will give me an opportunity to speak to Keelan about everything and help me get some clarity. He understands me like no one else ever has and while I know he might not love the thought of me with his best friend, he won’t judge or condemn me for it.
The sight of my parents’ house is a welcome reprieve from my renewed nerves about this weekend, and the sight of my dad asleep on a chaise lounge with a book propped on his chest has a sense of nostalgia washing away the nerves altogether. For the moment anyway.
I could be kind and use my words to let him know I’m here, but why would I do that when I can let loose a twenty-pound bundle of fur and sharp teeth instead?
“ Argh! ” My dad’s surprised shout is so loud it startles a group of nearby seagulls, causing them to take flight. Fish nearly takes off after them, but Dad has a firm grip on him so he thankfully doesn’t get away.
There’s no helping the harsh belly laugh that escapes as my dad’s head whips around in confusion when he sees the small dog in his lap, but when his eyes finally land on me they narrow. “Lark Joy Monroe,” he says sternly.
Uh oh.
Smiling as sweetly as possible, which, for me, might actually be more menacing than sweet, I prance up to the deck and plop down onto the chaise next to him. “Yes, wonderful father of mine?”
He scoffs, nuzzling his face into Fish’s soft fur. We gave him a bath last night, so thankfully he doesn’t smell like his namesake anymore. “Why is there a dog on my lap?” He doesn’t pick up his head so the question is muffled, which just makes me laugh harder.
“This is your grand-dog, Fish. Fish, this is Grandpa.” I’m hoping Fish will learn to associate the words Grandpa and Grandma with positive experiences so if Liam or I need anyone to watch him, they’ll be able to without issue.
My dad’s eyebrows shoot into his hairline. “You got a dog? You don’t even have your own house, kiddo.”
“Liam loves him and is perfectly happy to have a puppy in the house.” He looks at me skeptically, so I cross my arms over my chest as defensiveness rises. “He is . They found Fish down at the docks on the Fourth of July. Dad, he was in the water with freaking Baymax. Kaia, one of the conservation center employees, said she found him whimpering and crying and trying to hide from the noise. I couldn’t just let him go to the shelter.”
Understanding dawns on his face and he nods, picking Fish up under his arms to look at him. “Well, it’s just like you to find the cutest dog on the planet and bring him home.” He glances at me. “You’re positive Liam is okay with you bringing a dog into his home?”
I nod vigorously. “He actually took yesterday off and was going to ask me to go to the shelter with him to pick out a dog, so this feels kind of like kismet, you know? I think I was supposed to find this little guy.”
We’re quiet for several long moments, and that’s when I realize I haven’t seen my mom yet. “Hey, where’s Mom? I would have thought she’d hear you scream and come running.”
Dad scowls at me, irritation and amusement warring in his hazel eyes. “I did not scream . And even if I had, your beast attacked me and woke me from a damn good porch nap. That would startle any man.”
“Sorry about that, by the way,” I mutter, slightly chagrined by the chastising look on his face.
He waves me off with a smile that proves he isn’t really upset. “It’s fine. So, what’s on the docket for today? Not that I’m not happy to see you, just surprised by the visit so soon after our party.”
“What, I can’t just want to see my dad and show him my new dog?”
The words sound thin, even to my own ears. That was my plan when I thought it was going to be him and Mom around, but knowing it’s just him brings all my confusing feelings bubbling back to the surface. My dad has always been the one I can talk to about anything because he doesn’t butt in or try to offer advice unless I ask. He’s always willing to be a sounding board when I need one, and I think I need that now.
He sits quietly, endlessly patient and willing to wait me out as always. Heaving a sigh, I lay back on the chaise and pat my chest, calling Fish to me. Once he’s comfortably settled on my chest, some of the tension bleeds from my shoulders. “You always told us you met Mom and you just knew . Even though you were only kids, even though there were a million obstacles laid out in front of you. Was that true?”
If he’s surprised by the sudden shift in topic, he doesn’t show it. “I saw your mother in a room of three hundred other students and all I could see was her. It sounds cheesy, and I’m man enough to admit that I didn’t believe in love at first sight. I was only seventeen, I couldn’t imagine meeting the love of my life. But then I did. Your mom became my whole world in a matter of days and thirty years later she still is.”
I let his confidence and affection settle like a warm embrace around my chilled heart. It’s not like Jake was the love of my life or anything, and I think I knew that at the time, but that also meant I didn’t let him in in any meaningful way. With Liam, it’s barely been more than a week and he’s already in my heart so much deeper than Jake ever was.
I could easily see myself falling in love with Liam, and that scares the hell out of me. If I’m really honest with myself, I’m more than halfway there already.
“Do you ever regret getting so serious so fast?” I ask him. He and mom got married three weeks after high school graduation after dating less than a year, and from everything I’ve heard his parents weren’t too happy.
Part of that may have been that Dad was set to inherit a lot of money, and Mom’s family was just average middle-class. They love my mom now, but it took a while.
Dad smiles fondly, his eyes misting over. “Not for one second. Loving your mom, and then you kids, is the best thing I’ve ever done. Could we have waited a few years to get married? Sure. But I couldn’t imagine living a day without her. My motto when it comes to love is ‘why the hell not?’”
His knowing gaze tracks over my face, and his smile gentles. “Could all these questions have something to do with the beefy walking art project you’ve been sneaking around with since you got home?”
My jaw drops. “First of all, you did not just call Liam beefy . Second of all, we have not been sneaking around !”
“Sure you haven’t,” he snorts. “You can say it’s fake all you want but the love that man has in his eyes when he looks at you? It’s the same way I still look at your mom.”
“He’s not in love with me,” I choke on a laugh. “You’re losing it, old man.”
“I’m not even fifty yet, you brat.”
That word.
My mind swirls back to Liam and all the times he’s called me a brat. At first it always came out on a growl or dripping with irritation but lately each time he says it I can feel the affection in his voice. Like he doesn’t mind that I’m not a peppy blonde who’s nothing but sunshine and glitter.
Shaking my head, I glance up to find Dad with an even wider grin on his tan face. “Looks like beefy isn’t the only one with feelings.”
Is there a point in denying it anymore? “I don’t know what to do,” I murmur miserably. “He’s so kind and he doesn’t balk when I’m having a bad day or when I’m a little grumpier than I should be, but he’s Keelan’s best friend. What if things don’t work out between us?”
I keep my eyes focused on Fish as he gently chews on my fingers. He’s nearly asleep in my lap, and his weight is a comfort I’m grateful for right now .
“But what if they do?”
My eyes dart up in surprise, catching the warmth in hazel ones. “What if he’s the one who will love you unconditionally and prove to you what we already know? That you’re perfect exactly as you are.”
Tears flood my eyes in an instant, gathering on my lower lashes. “Dad,” I croak.
Reaching out, he grabs my hand, squeezing it with both of his. “You’ve worked so hard for so long, kiddo. Your mom and I are so proud of you, and if you really aren’t ready to settle down we’ll understand, but seeing you with Liam at the Fourth of July party was the happiest we’ve seen you in years .”
“Ever since that douche canoe Daniel fleeced you out of your life savings and took advantage of you before skipping town, you’ve been different. Angry, closed off, you against the world. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Liam is a good man, and from the very little I’ve seen, he treats you well. If it’s your brother you’re worried about, don’t be. Keelan loves Liam, and he adores you above almost anything else. I can’t see a scenario where he isn’t thrilled about you finding happiness with each other.”
The reminder of Daniel has me cringing. I had thought Daniel was my first love, but really he was just a thirty-year-old investment banker who promised to invest in my first salon when I was only nineteen years old. Instead he seduced me, took my virginity and my money, and never looked back. I think he’s in jail for fraud now, but I still hate the asshole for ruining my first experience with love, even if it wasn’t real.
Dad’s words are reassuring and exactly what I needed to hear to let that last bit of resistance fade away. Liam is a good man. He’s so good. Probably too good for me, but does that mean I don’t deserve to have him? Or at least try? Maybe this weekend will be more than just a chance to talk to him, maybe it will be the start of something great.
My lips stretch into a smile as I snuggle Fish closer to my chest. “I hope you don’t have any plans this weekend…”