chapter Twenty-Five
“We’re eating somewhere nice tonight. Dress up a little, will you?” Dad said it offhandedly like I needed to be reminded to dress appropriately.
“Yeah, I already figured that much.”
“Great. I’ll see you in about thirty minutes then?”
“Sure.” I walked upstairs, slightly suspicious of how concerned he was with what I wore. Maybe it had just been awhile since we’d spent time together. I definitely didn’t remember him being that way. But maybe that was all part of his new “you’re an adult, act like it” mentality. As long as he didn’t try to set me up with some stuffy suit from his office, I was okay with it.
Thirty minutes later on the dot, I waited for Dad in the entryway. Dressed in a simple black dress that fell just above the knee, I figured I was appropriately attired. What occasion does a little black dress not cover? Paired with some cute new black kitten heels, and a black shawl to keep my shoulders warm, I was ready to go.
“You look nice.” Dad walked toward me wearing a black blazer and slacks. We pretty much matched. Fantastic. Just what I always wanted, to match my dad.
“Thanks. You too.”
“Are you ready?”
“Sure.”
We got into his car and took the short drive downtown. Dad pulled up to the valet and left his key. He approached the hostess stand, and I hung back, taking in the restaurant. It was fairly modern with lots of art on the walls, and I wondered how the food tasted.
“Ready?” Dad touched my elbow.
“Sure.”
He pulled out my chair, and I sat down, immediately noticing something off about our table.
“Dad?”
“Yes, honey?”
“Why is there a third place setting at the table?”
“Because we’re going to have a little company.” He smiled lightly.
“Company?” Was this when he sprung his surprise new girlfriend on me?
“I think you’ll be very happy with it. We thought you’d like the surprise.”
“Surprise?”
“Here he is now.”
I dropped the napkin that was halfway to my lap when I watched Tanner stroll over to our table. “What are you doing here?”
“Hey, Mallory. Mr. Clark, thanks for inviting me.” He kissed me on the cheek like it was the most natural thing ever.
I jerked back. “I’m going to ask you again, why are you here?”
“He’s here to see you obviously. I thought you’d be happy to see him.”
“Why would I be happy about it?”
“Tanner’s told me all about your history. I think his patience is admirable.”
“Patience?” I asked with confusion.
Tanner smiled. “My patience with you as you get your little cowboy out of your system.”
“What? Colt is not a little cowboy, and I’m not just getting him out of my system,” I snapped. Did he really have the audacity to say that?
Dad scowled. “Lower your voice, Mallory.”
“Why?”
“Because you will not make a scene. I thought this would be a nice surprise. Evidently, I was wrong.” Dad eyed me like I was the one doing something wrong.
“Why would this make a nice surprise, and how do you know Tanner?”
“He interviewed with me last month. He was upfront about his history with you. I appreciated the honesty.”
“You appreciated him using me to help him get a job?”
“Using you? What would there be to use you for?” Dad’s words stung. In them was the insinuation that I could never influence his decisions.
I brushed off the hurt. “Come on, Dad. Don’t play stupid. What’s really going on?”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he gestured for the waiter to come over so he could order a bottle of wine.
“Answer me,” I demanded as soon as the waiter walked away.
Tanner gave me a patronizing smile which only made me angrier at the whole situation.
“You will not talk to me that disrespectfully.” Dad glared at me across the table.
“Then please answer me.”
“You are blowing this way out of proportion. I thought you might enjoy some time with an old friend.”
“Why surprise me then? Why not just lay it out there to begin with?”
“Because I know how emotional you can be. Sometimes you need to step away to get a clear head.”
“You mean you wanted me to step away from Colt.” Then all the pieces fell into place. “Is that why you offered me the internship?”
“Of course not.” He leaned over the table. “I offered you the job because you’re my daughter and it’s what’s best for you.”
I tried to calm down. I had no means of leaving the restaurant on my own. I wasn’t sure what would happen once we got back to the house though. I’d been so excited for the internship, but could I really accept it? Maybe if Dad just stayed out of my love life, I could figure something out. I needed to salvage something from this mess. I’d made too much progress with Dad to throw it away again.
I choked down my true feelings so I could get through dinner. I could do that much. “Fine. I’m sorry for blowing up.”
“It’s fine. I should have remembered how much you hate surprises.”
I didn’t respond. What was there to say?
Tanner reached a hand across the table. I didn’t accept it. “I’m sorry for my comments, Mallory. Seeing you brings out the passionate side in me.”
“Passionate side?” Did he mean the a*shole in him?
“Yes. You boil my blood. Generally, it’s in a good way, but clearly sometimes it overwhelms me in this less than perfect way.”
“I’m sure she understands, Tanner. Mallory has the tendency to be rash and say things she doesn’t mean as well.”
By the time the wine arrived, I could have downed the whole bottle myself. I wasn’t sure who I was angrier at, Dad or Tanner. I was also angry at myself for not expecting it.
I ordered a garden salad, having no appetite and no willingness to waste money.
Dad looked at me worriedly, but thankfully didn’t comment on my food choice. Maybe he thought a salad was an appropriate dish for a girl to order when dining with a male dinner guest. Isn’t that all he cared about anyway? Appropriateness?