Bad Liar (The Reed Rivers Trilogy 1)

Alessandra smiles. “Actually, Georgie, it sounds to me like you did the one thing you could have done to change Reed’s mind about you. Plus, bonus points, you did it in style—with your two middle fingers raised to the sky. So classic.”

I giggle. “You should have seen the look on Reed’s face as I was driving away. He was so fucking pissed at me.”

“Hey, ladies.” It’s my father, coming into the kitchen. And his voice makes us girls both straighten up. Dad strides across the small kitchen and puts his arm around my shoulders. “Aunt Marjorie sent me in here to ask about the cake. She suspects you two girls have gotten to chatting and completely forgotten why you came in here.”

Alessandra and I giggle and nod.

“Guilty as charged,” Alessandra says.

Rolling his eyes, Dad picks up a knife and begins cutting the cake for us. “Ally, would you mind distributing slices to everyone? There’s something I want to talk to Georgie about.”

“You betcha, Pops,” Alessandra says.

The three of us load cake slices onto a tray for Alessandra, who then breezes into the living room to expertly deliver them like the part-time waitress she is.

When Alessandra is gone, Dad turns to me and smiles proudly, his eyes instantly moistening. He places his hands on my shoulders, a sure sign an emotional speech is coming. It’s not a rare occurrence with my father—watching him become overcome with emotion. He’s always worn his tender heart on his sleeve, my Dad. It’s the thing I love most about him.

“You’re my pride and joy, Georgie,” he says, tears threatening. “You know that, right?”

“I do, Daddy. Thank you for always telling me that. And for doing without so much, for so long, so I could get a college education.”

“It’s what Mommy and I both wanted for you. We wanted you to be able to make a living doing something you feel passionately about.”

My eyes are glistening now, along with Dad’s. God, I wish my mother were here to witness this proud and happy day.

Dad reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small box. And, instantly, I know what’s inside. My mother’s wedding ring. Instantly, I hurl myself into my father’s arms and burst into tears. And so, of course, my emotional, tenderhearted father cries along with me.

“You always said you’d give it to me on my wedding day,” I mumble into Dad’s shoulder.

“I realized your mother would want you to have it today,” he whispers into my hair. “She came to me in a dream last night and told me to give it to you. She said, ‘Georgie doesn’t need a man to make us proud. She’s already the woman we’ve raised her to be.’”

I sniffle. “That sounds just like Mommy.”

Dad pulls back from our hug and wipes his eyes. “You know I’m hoping you’ll have a family of your own one day, but only because I want you to experience the kind of love story I had with your mother. I want you to experience the kind of unconditional love I feel for you, Georgie.”

“I know, Daddy. I love you, too.”

“But that doesn’t mean you need to get married or have babies to make me and your mother proud, or to be the woman we dreamed you’d grow up to be. Without going to college myself, I didn’t fully understand how proud I’d feel today. How amazing it would feel to watch you—” He presses his lips together, too choked up to continue. Which makes me choke up, as well. And for a moment, we’re both silently swallowing air and wiping our eyes.

Finally, Dad gathers himself enough to open the box, and I gasp at the sight of the diamond-encrusted ring inside, the one I remember my mother always wearing with such pride on her lovely hand. Beaming with his love for me, my father says, “Amorina, today, you’re exactly the woman your mother and I always dreamed you’d be. Wear this ring, and let it always remind you of that.”

I slide the ring onto the ring finger of my right hand, but it’s too big. I try my middle finger next, and smile when it’s a perfect fit. “Isn’t it pretty?” I say, holding up my newly decorated hand. “Now, I’ll look like a queen whenever I flip someone off.”

“Georgie.”

I giggle. “Aw, come on, Dad. You know it’s perfect Mommy’s ring fits my middle finger, instead of my ring finger. We both know I’ll get far more use out of it this way.”

Dad sighs. “You’re still sure you ‘never’ want to get married?”

I purse my lips, considering. “No, I think I’m over that. I only felt that way right after your divorce from Paula. But only because you and Paula made marriage look like an exceedingly stupid thing for anyone to do.”

Dad rolls his eyes. “That’s an understatement.”