Page 46 of Fated Love with You

“I have somewhere to be tonight, Miss Jane.” His tone is all business. “Since I’ll be flying out, I’ll have to raincheck. But I’d appreciate a video of Adele’s Chopin.”

I nod.

“Were you eavesdropping, Miss Jane?”

“No.”

“Then why were you standing there?”

“I wanted to ask about Adele’s contacts.” I hand him the list. “There aren’t any parents or friends listed.”

“And?”

“Does she have any friends I can call?”

He blinks. “I’ll be back in a couple days.”

“Surely—”

“Whoever is on that list is it,” he snaps. “That’s it. Those are the only people I trust, so they’re the only ones you can call.”

“I was just asking.”

“You previously noticed that no Uber drivers come here,” he says, stepping closer. “There are a lot of people who know better, but we’re not extending invitations to those who don’t.”

He looks past me. “My daughter doesn’t need friends here. She has me. That’s enough.”

He shuts the door in my face.

“Hurry up, Miss Jane!” Adele calls from down the hall. “I’m toasting the waffle bowls! It’ll be just me and you tonight!”

Relieved that Ryder already told her, I push away the urge to scream. His eyes were too cold. Too distant.

As much as I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, Kylie’s binder is calling me again, and tonight, I’ll be flipping through it—rubbing my terrible decisions in my own face.

Since Adele’s still setting up toppings, I pull out my phone.

I know you’re mad, but… Can I call you later about something?

Kylie

Is the something him?

It doesn’t have to be…

Forgive me for not understanding you clearly have feelings for him. I’ll listen, but you still have to let me warn you—and you can’t get mad.

I won’t.

10 o’clock work?

Yes.

Perfect. (By the way… That man has never loved anything but chaos and money. Not even his own family.)

I’ve seen the way he looks at Adele, so I can’t vouch for that. But Adele isn’t my secret to share.

“So, is this a tradition you and your dad have?” I ask Adele.