Page 9 of That Time I Kissed My Beachfront Boss

Teller shoots me a grimace of understanding. “Want me to stick around? I could back you up, even though I’m not thrilled about you moving either.”

“Thanks.” I drag a hand over my face. “But I’ve got this.”

Teller squints down the street where my dad’s driver gave up and is double parking. “Is he taking it hard?”

I hedge my shoulders. “He’s disappointed, but he said he can’t blame me for going after what I want, even if it means throwing away a potential seven-figure salary.” I cough out a laugh. “That last part was probably tough for him to admit. But he’s trying.” I glance up the street where my father’s stepping out of the car now.

“That’s all anyone can do, my friend.” Teller bobs his head and offers me knuckles. “Good luck, man. Gonna miss you. Text me when you get to Abieville, okay?”

“Will do.”

He throws a wave up at my father, then jogs back into the building. As my dad approaches, he tugs at his tie, pressing his mouth into a smile. We’ve got similar builds and the same dark coloring, but I’m a few inches taller, and his slicked-back hair is streaked with silver. There’s no denying we’re related. I’m just a younger, messier version of him.

“Hey, Dad.” We go in for one of those stiff man-hugs followed by a quick back-pat. My father’s not exactly a touchy-feely guy.

“Looks like I arrived a little too late.” He inclines his head toward the U-Haul.

“Or right on time,” I tease.

He twitches his upper lip. “I was going to offer my help, but I suppose I’m not really dressed for moving furniture.” He lifts his wrist to check his watch. “So. You’re heading out soon?”

“Yeah.” I duck my head. “I was gonna stop by the office to say goodbye first.”

“No need. I’m here now.” He drops his arms, and they hang at his side, like he’s a robot or a general with an awkward smile. It’s the same stance he adopted after my mom left, how I remember him the whole time I was growing up.

That is, when I wasn’t off with a nanny or away at boarding school.

“Anyway.” I shift my weight, letting my own smile leak out. “I’m glad I got to see you before I go.”

“Me too.” He works his jaw like he’s gearing up to tell me something. “It’s just that …” His voice trails off.

“What?”

“Jacqueline came to see me.”

And there it is.

I should’ve known my ex would go on the offense. Especially since I’m pretty sure she was only with me to get in good with my dad.

“She told me you two had a … misunderstanding.” He arches a brow, like he might not believe it either.

“Misunderstanding.” I gulp down a guffaw. “That’s one word for it.”

“I thought as much.” He clears his throat. “So I just have to ask. Are you leaving now because of her?”

“Absolutely not.” I furrow my brow. “This is about me finally going after what I want, Dad. Jacqueline just made the decision easier.” I pause, narrowing my eyes. “But is that what she said? That I’m running away?”

“No, no.” He splays his hands. “I just needed to eliminate that possibility for my own peace of mind. Jacqueline actually came to see me because she was worried your falling-out might affect her promotion.”

I can’t help chuckling at this. “Yeah. I should’ve known.”

Why? Just because she used you for access to your dad?

Then again, maybe I used her too, even if that wasn’t my intention.

We were already working together when we started dating, so our relationship required zero heavy lifting on my part. I probably confused the ease of being with her with having shared goals and dreams. I tried to convince myself we were compatible, but we never were on the same page.

Truth is, we weren’t even in the same book.

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