Page 108 of Unhinged

The door swings open, and Simone stops short when she sees us talking. My dad assesses her, and I nod toward him. “This is my dad, Dr. Tab Rodwell.”

Simone’s face lights up with a pretty smile. “Hi, I’m Simone. Uh…”

My dad’s face lights up with Simone’s. “Oh. Oh! You’re her.”

I walk over to Simone and hang my arm over her shoulders. “Yes. This barmaid is your daughter-in-law.”

He grins at Simone and offers his hand, which she takes. “Hi, Simone. It’s great to meet you.” He releases her hand and stares with wide eyes. “Wow. So, you’re the one who finally stole my son’s heart?” Dad looks blown away like he can’t believe I scored Simone. Christ. But I really didn’t. It’s all a lie.

Simone is almost shy when she quietly replies, “He stole mine first, so now we’re even.”

That answer is unexpected and renders me fucking speechless. I lean over and kiss the side of her head as my mind races on ten different highways.

Simone suddenly pulls away from me and says, “I’m sorry, Dr. Rodwell. I have to return to work. I came in here for a memo pad. It was nice meeting you.” She smiles as she goes to a drawer but looks distracted.

“It was nice meeting you, too, Simone, and please, it’s Tab.”

She smiles at him but then looks at me with uncertainty before she leaves.

Dad laughs. “Why didn’t you just tell me that’s your—”

“I thought you might figure it out yourself.” I’m still trying to.

“I was way off. Simone is beautiful and seems nice. And a good dancer.” He laughs while I’m stuck in Horrorville. “I can see why you fell in love with her.”

I clear my throat as my heart pounds. “Yeah.”

“When did you first know she was the one?”

I lick my lips, cross my arms, and go with a partial truth. “There wasn’t a certain moment. We didn’t even like each other at first.”

“And I see you two got over that.” He laughs, reminding me of Eden. “She left Richmond to be with you?” I nod, though it’s not the reason she came here. “Where are you going to live?”

“Right now, we’re living apart. She’s living with Amos, Aunt Amy’s business partner. He’s my former boss from Richmond and a friend of ours.” Shoot me now.

“Oh. And since you live with your mother…”

“Yeah. I need to get my shit together.”

“Why didn’t you wait to marry Simone, then? She’s not pregnant, is she?” Hell.

I roll my eyes and go with another half-truth, but I’m only lying to myself. “No. I just…wanted her to be mine more than anything and will figure out the rest later.”

“I can help you get an apartment so you can move in together.”

Even though Simone doesn’t want to live with me, I nod. “Yeah. Okay. Thanks.”

“You’re still at Home Depot too?”

“No, I quit. I need another job. I can’t stay here forever, either.” Shit. I need to talk to Amos. I’ll owe that fucker for eternity.

“You’ll definitely want to get your shit together before you and Simone start a family.” The thought of that horrifies me. For one, CF. How could I be in so much denial that I didn’t consider it when Birdy was born? At least now she didn’t inherit it from me. And second, although I joked about giving her one for M&Ms when Finley was born, I can’t imagine having a baby with Simone. I’m trying to prevent it. But she’ll probably want one someday. It just can’t be mine.

I sigh while Dad looks at his watch and says, “I have to go. I’m proud of you, Greg.”

“Why?”

“You’re starting a life with the woman you love and refused to do it without her, regardless of the complications.”

---