Lie (Betrothed 8)

“There’s no rush,” he said. “You’re beautiful, smart, successful…don’t settle unless the guy is perfect.”

I gave a slight smile. “Alright, Dad.”

“You deserve the best.”

My eyes softened, and I tried not to stare at him. It was hard to control my emotions when I looked at him, was forced to look at his deep wrinkles and fading color. Seventy was too young to pass away, but my father seemed to struggle with cognitive problems, simple tasks, and it made me wonder if he wouldn’t be around much longer…or at least, his mind wouldn’t. I didn’t want to get married for five years, and I worried he wouldn’t be alive for that.

I wanted him to walk me down the aisle.

“Thanks.”

“You want to have children, yes?”

When he phrased it like that, he didn’t give me much room to disagree with him. “Yes.”

“Good. Damien told me Anna may not be able to have children.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that. One miscarriage doesn’t mean she’s infertile. And even if she is, they’ll figure out a way. Damien is rich.”

“True.” Now he moved his pawn to set himself up for failure again.

He was throwing the game.

I narrowed my eyes on his face. “Okay, that’s the second time you’ve done that.”

“Done what?” he asked, acting innocent.

“You’re throwing the game.”

“How would you know unless you were doing the same?” He lifted his gaze, and despite his elderly appearance, he looked me hard in the eye like the leader he used to be, successfully intimidating me. “I may be old, but I’m not stupid, sweetheart. Never let a man win to make him feel good about himself. Never hide your intelligence and your success to make him feel better—that includes your father.”

A soft smile came over my lips because I’d underestimated my father. “Alright.”

“I mean it.” He raised his finger like he was scolding me. “If a man can’t handle your shine, he doesn’t deserve your sunlight at all.”

Summer was fading.

And I was devastated.

I sat on the patio with Anna and Damien, drinking wine while sharing a cheese board covered with dried fruits and nuts. “Ugh, I’m so mad.” I grabbed another bottle of my favorite Barsetti wine and refilled my glass.

“Why?” Anna asked, sitting close to Damien.

“I know,” Damien said with a bored look. “Because summer is almost over.”

Anna chuckled.

“My brother knows me so well.” I raised my glass then took a long drink. “That means in two months I won’t be able to wear my sundresses and my shorts…” I hated wearing jeans and sweaters. I hated being cold. I hated not going outside.

“Two months?” Damien asked with an eyebrow raised. “It’ll be November by then—”

“Shh!” I raised my finger and hushed him.

Damien rolled his eyes.

Anna kissed him on the cheek before she rose from her chair. “I’m gonna use the bathroom. Don’t fight with your sister while I’m gone.”

“That’s all we ever do,” he said as he watched her walk away.

She moved past the window and disappeared.

Damien grabbed his glass and took a drink.

“So…?” I leaned forward and swirled my glass.

“So…?” he asked sarcastically.

“When are you going to ask her?”

He glanced at the window to make sure she wasn’t around. “Can we not talk about that now?”

“She’s not a bat that can hear a mile away.”

He gave me a glare. “I know my woman is not a bat.”

“Come on, tell me. Are you gonna take her out to dinner? Take her on a trip?”

He shrugged. “I have no idea.”

“What?” I snapped. “You haven’t given it any thought at all?”

“She’s already been proposed to—twice.”

“So?” I snapped. “Not by you.”

“I don’t know…I can’t see myself getting on one knee in a restaurant.”

“Then don’t. Do it here.”

He shrugged again.

“Can you be romantic for like two seconds?”

“I am romantic,” he snapped.

“Then think of something—”

“Shut up, she’s coming.”

I took a big drink of wine and tried not to act suspicious.

Anna came back to the table and cut into her cheese like she didn’t notice anything. “I could eat cheese all day.”

“Girl, me too.” I cut off a fat slice and dropped it onto my plate along with some honey.

Damien turned back to the window when he saw Hades step inside. Hades looked out the window at us, then gave Damien a slight nod, like he wanted to talk in private. “Excuse me.” He left the table and headed inside.

I turned to the window and watched him walk up to Hades, the two of them looking serious like they were having an intense conversation. Hades was still in his suit as if he’d just come from the bank. He crossed his arms over his chest as he listened to Damien talk. “What do you think they’re saying?”

She shrugged. “No idea.”

“They look mad.”

“They always look mad.” She kept eating. “It’s probably something to do with business.”

Maybe I was just paranoid, but I feared they were talking about Heath…and me. But there was no way for Damien to figure that out unless he was trailing Heath…and there didn’t seem to be a reason to do that.