Page 50 of Mr. Red

“Do what you want to do, babe.” Jason shrugs. “Just be careful. Meaning use a condom.” He winks.

“I can’t talk about Matt. We’re talking about the gym.”

“Don’t you have to leave to meet your dad?” Lana asks.

I look at the clock. “I have ten minutes, which is whywe need to look this over. You have any questions?”

“Did you pack the black bikini I bought for you?” Paige smirks.

I’m going to explode in this office. My face heats up like it’s lava. “Focus! Turn to page five and take a look at the resume.”

Twenty minutes later, I’m on my way to dinner with my dad. My friends entertained me and looked over my plans. My grip on the steering wheel is turning my hands white as I think about leaving tomorrow. I can’t believe I have no idea where I’m going or what I’ll be doing.

I walk into the low-lit restaurant,Charred, and find my dad at a booth already. He gets up and kisses my cheek.

“Hey, Letti. How’ve you been?” he asks as we sit down at the black-linen covered table with candles and a white rose on top.

“Good. Just working on things for the gym.” I take a sip of water, my leg bouncing. I have to finish packing. I’m still unconvinced my friends will call if they need me. Plus, tomorrow is a week filled with mysteries. I hate mysteries.

“You okay, Letti? You seem nervous.” He glances at the menu, his glasses low on his nose.

“Just stuff with the gym. Nothing I can’t handle.” I sit up straight.

“You’ve always been able to handle more than I could ever think. I know you’re independent.”

I had to be. My dad was a single, broken-hearted man with a six-year-old little girl. When my mom left, my dad started taking jobs that allowed him to be there for me once I was out of school each day. He was a teacher, so he had summers off. He waited to go back to school until I was in high school, then got his doctorate so he could be aprofessor.

Although he made time for me, he was also a working parent who didn’t talk much. He focused on his work and his students. We bonded more by doing things together. Because he had his own things going on, I took care of my own things. I didn’t think I could ask him for help, so I figured it out on my own.

I clear my throat. “I won’t be able to meet up with you for the next two weeks.”

“Oh.” His face falls. “That’s a shame. You seeing someone?”

If my dad gets any whiff of a guy in my life, he wants to meet them. But I’m not ready for Matt and my dad to meet. I want to see where this goes first. My dad is a bit overprotective. He’ll scare off Matt.

“Just lots of new clients.” I keep things vague.

“I’ve never talked to you about this before.” He readjusts his posture in his seat, keeping his eyes on the menu. “I don’t want you to be scared of a relationship because of what happened between your mother and I.”

I turn my head from my menu up to him. I’ve always avoided being casual because if I’m with someone, I want them to want me and want to stay. My mom left my dad for another guy, taking him by surprise. Being abandoned is one of my biggest fears. One I’m risking by seeing Matt—the man who is going back to Texas.

I give him my most convincing smile. “I’m okay, dad.” I pat his hand as he glances over the menu. “Don’t worry about me.”

He looks up, over his glasses at me. “I know, kiddo. It’s okay to need help every now and then. I’m here if you need anything.”

I love my dad, but he’s the last one I turn to about my problems or worries. I don’t want him getting involved. I dowhat I need to do.

“I know.” I nod my head.

We continue in a steady silence through dinner, enjoying our meal together as waiters bustle about in all black. Thoughts of all the things I need to do and a pang of guilt from not telling my dad about Matt filter through as I drive home.

My phone rings. I answer, “Scarlett Daniels.”

“Hi, Miss Scarlett,” Matt’s voice trembles through the car. “You on your way home?”

I’m not seeing Matt tonight because I told him I have a million things to do and a late meeting.

“I am.”