I grin down at her. She’s waiting for me to spill the reason for my chipper mood. I can’t. Not yet. It isn’t that I don’t want to share with her. I know she’ll be happy I’ve met someone. It’s my father who’s the problem. If the tyrant finds out that I’m seeing someone who doesn’t vacation on secluded islands or party on fancy yachts, he’ll be livid. Basically, he wants me to marry someone from our social class. The only exception is the chief of police’s daughter, Charlie. I’ve been dodging Dad’s attempt at matchmaking for months. I don’t know what his new obsession is with getting me and Chief Traverse’s daughter together.
I’m about to tell Diana bye and be on my way when I hear footsteps coming our way. My hope that it’s my stepsister, Holly, vanishes when Dad appears. Michael Marshall, the mayor of Oak Valley is an imposing figure in his mid-fifties. He’s held up alright over the years. The only significant sign of his age is his salt and pepper hair, which is still full and luxurious. I always assumed he’d age horribly considering that he’s always miserable. The scowl on his face has been there since I was born. At least I know I have good genes. I look a lot like my father, but I have my mother’s eyes.
“Bryce, my boy. What are you doing here so early? You’re here all the time. You might as well move back in.
“No thanks Dad. This place isn’t big enough for the both of us.”
“What are you talking about? There are three floors.”
Yes, but his ego takes up about two and a half. No space for a long-suffering son who wants to live his own life, away from his controlling parent’s ruling thumb. “My place is just fine.”
He doesn’t seem pleased. I don’t have time for a discussion about possibly moving back into the family mansion, so I turn to Diana. “I’ll see you later. Tell Holly hi for me.”
“You’re leaving already?” Dad asks.
“There’s somewhere I need to be.”
His brows pull together into a deep scowl. “What’s more important than family?”
I sigh. If he launches into another lecture about family duties, I’ll lose my fucking mind. I’ve been getting those lectures since before I hit puberty. I can recite verbatim a few of them. “Dad, I really have to go.”
“Hold on a minute. Did you give what I said any thought?”
“You say a lot of things, old man. You have to be more specific.” He hates it when I call him that. That’s why I make it my duty to call him that. There’s nothing I can do to hold back my smirk when he glares at me.
Diana purses her lips and studies the tips of her nude pumps, probably trying to hide her smile. Dad’s face turns red when he’s pissed, and his moustache does this twitching thing that looks downright amusing.
He doesn’t lash out at me as I expect. Instead, he turns to Diana and scowls. “You find that funny, do you?” He practically growls. Diana looks petrified.
Eyes narrowed; I study them with new interest. What is Dad’s deal? Has this hostile energy always been present? “Lay off Dad. I’m the one you should be annoyed with.” Just about everyone is afraid of the old man. Not me. So, we butt heads from time to time.
Diana shoots me a grateful glance. “I’m going to make sure breakfast is underway.” She gives my arm an affectionate pat and leaves.
I watch her until she disappears. I didn’t get to ask if she’s alright. She’d already seemed a little off when I arrived and her entire demeanor changed when Dad walked in. I make a mental note to check in on her later. I turn to Dad. “What was I supposed to consider?”
“What I said about Chief Traverse’s daughter. You know, about you two being a good match.”
“Jesus, Dad, where do you find time to play cupid when you’re busy running a city?”
“Don’t get smart with me, boy.”
“Man. I am a man now, in case you haven’t noticed.”
His jaw clenches. “Yes, you are. That’s why you should be making moves to continue the Marshall legacy. It’s time you settle down and produce an heir.”
He did not just say an heir. I fold my arms and mimic his scowl. “Dad, as much as you like to think of yourself as the King of this land, we’re not the royal family.”
His face flushes. I can tell he’s barely holding on to his temper. “I’m not going to stand here and argue with?”
“Alright great. No arguing. That works for me.” I clap him on the shoulder and glance at my watch. See you later, old man.”
He grunts his annoyance, and I take off wearing a smile. I’m out the door before he can recover from his anger over my insolence. Running into Dad has severely spiraled my good mood. Now, all I can think about is how he’ll disapprove of my relationship with Abby. He’ll give me pure hell for it. I can’t introduce Abby to my parents any time soon.
The thought lingers in my mind even as I come to a stop in front of her house. I take a look around the neighborhood in the light of day. This early and in this weather, there’s no one out. No curious eyes. I’m about to call Abby to let her know I’m here when her door opens. She waves and signals to the driveway.
She’s closing the gate when I park and hop out of my car. “Hey.”
Her cheeks are flushed but it’s probably from the cold. She ran out in nothing but jeans and a sweater. “Hi.”