Page 15 of Save Me

“Hi, Daddy,” I say, pressing her phone to my ear. “I’m fine, thank you for asking,” I tell even though he hasn’t asked yet. “And thank you for trying to get Mom to blow off lunch with us. Not rude at all.”

He chuckles into the phone. A sound I doubt many other people have even heard.

“For the record, I told her to have you all over for dinner instead.”

“That does make me feel better, but I’d have to turn down that invite. I have a ton of work to do that’ll probably keep me at the office late. Maybe this weekend. Now, can I have lunch with Mom and my sister-in-law in peace, please?”

He lets out a long, suffering sigh. “If you must.” He acts like he doesn’t live with the woman.

“So kind of you. Love you, Daddy.”

“Love you, baby girl. And don’t work too hard,” he orders.

“You’re one to talk.”

“I work hard so my family doesn’t have to.”

“I know I don’t have to. I want to,” I tell him for the thousandth time.

“Just don’t overdo it. Come over this weekend for dinner.”

“I’ll try.”

His voice turns hard. “That wasn’t a request.”

I roll my eyes skyward. “See you this weekend, Daddy.”

I hand the phone back to my mom. “After all of these years, I don’t know how you do it. I think he’s getting worse.” I frown and then look at Riley.

“You’re in the same boat with my twin.”

Her smile widens despite the grim expression.

“It can be a little overwhelming at times,” Riley admits, “but it’s out of love.” She shrugs. “You’ll understand when you fall in love. Right, Patience?”

“Oh no.” I shake my head adamantly, cutting in before my mom can answer. “That’s not my fate. Besides, I don’t have time for love.”

My mom and Riley exchange a look.

“Don’t do that.” I narrow my gaze on both of them.

Our waitress brings our food to our table. I pause as she sets the plates in front of each of us. With my fork, I gesture toward my mom and then to Riley.

“Love is not in the cards in my near future.” I keep the frown from appearing on my face. I’ve dated, but at twenty-seven, I only had two serious boyfriends. The last one lived out of state and never met my family.

He dumped me about a year into our relationship.

“Besides, this story I’m working on now consumes enough of my time.”

My mom leans into the table. “Can you tell us about it?”

She knows I can’t give too many details about the stories I work on until the articles come out.

“I can’t name names, but I’m looking into the death of an employee of a well-known businessman.”

“Here in Williamsport?” Riley asks.

“The death occurred here, but he’s not based in Williamsport full time. He has a few chains in the city, though. That’s all I can say.”

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