Page 52 of Catfish

“They need support.”

“What did you think was going to happen? That she and I were magically going to be okay again after all these years? After everything she did to me.”

“Forgive her.”

“No.”

“You’re a fucking child.”

“The only one you have that isn’t a fuck-up.” His hand tightens around his glass, showing off white knuckles.

“And I suppose you’re not inviting anyone, including your mother and I?”

"Mom will find some way to weasel herself in, so why bother? I might as well make her year and send her a fully decorated invitation to boast to all her friends about at the country club.“

My father brings his tumbler to his lips. “How thoughtful.”

“Was there anything else?” My father finishes his whiskey in one gulp and sets it back on the table.

“We’ll be in touch.” Standing from his chair, he dismisses everything I’ve said and leaves.

But he’ll be back. I knew he’d try to weasel his ass into my campaign once I announced I was going to run.

Henry Lockwood is a prideful man and I’m his meal ticket to keeping his legacy alive.

Unless I change my last name, it’s going to happen. But Henry is getting ahead of himself because I have to grab the delegate to run for president.

And I’m going to do it right time, this time around.

Once the door clicks behind him, I relax back into my chair. Seconds later, a soft knock sounds off it before Em peeks her little blonde head in.

“Hey,” she greets softly, looking around the room. “I don’t see any blood so...that’s good.”

“What do you want?” I grumble.

She steps inside, holding a folder in her hands. “The information you wanted on the party planner, Miss Shelton.” Placing it in front of me, she claps her hands and steps back. I can’t help the wave of curiosity that courses through my body

I perk a brow. “Thank you?”

“Aren’t you going to read it?”

“Eventually…”

“I prefer you to do it now.” My brow lifts higher. “I want to use her for the fundraiser.”

“The fundraiser is in two weeks.”

“And I hate Viola.”

I sigh. “We’re still on that?”

“She’s been arguing with me about everything.” She throws her slim arms in the air. “From the menu to not bringing a donkey to represent your political party. She’s ridiculous, Wade, I’ve never met a woman who is so—”

“Stubborn?”

“Mindless and stupid,” she retorts instead. “Please, read her background check and—”

“See if I like her, I know.” I reach for the folder to appease her and open it. “I’ll take a look right now.”

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