Page 52 of Return on Love

I’m like totally embarrassed to even take the eggs and toast to him. But now I have to. Indecision will be the death of me. I should have just tossed it all in the bin before he returned. I divide the eggs into two plates and put the burned side of the bread face-down and take it to him. Thankfully, coffee’s fine. That’s one thing I never screw up.

He puts a spoonful in his mouth. I’m amazed that he doesn’t frown or make any kind of face. He chews it, swallows it and even has the courtesy to say, “it’s good.”

I remember the one time I’d made dinner for Bob – grilled bacon with vegetable sides. Now, I don’t like bacon, but that’s what Bob preferred, so that’s all we stocked up at our home. That was also one reason why I preferred take-out. So anyway, I’d spent the entire evening looking through recipes online and preparing all that stuff. He took a mouthful, and before even chewing it, he spat it out, picked up his plate, and threw the rest in the bin. All this, without saying a single word. He stomped into the bedroom while I just stood there with a glass of wine. I tasted a bit. Okay, granted it wasn’t good. But it wasn’t so bad that you couldn’t swallow even a bite. I know he’s had worse food, because his mother is no chef as well, and he fricking licks the plate clean when he goes to visit her.

So, it’s a surprise when Ryan actually praises my cooking. I mean, the guy is a culinary artist.

“I know it isn’t a quarter as good as yours. But I’m a good learner. I’ll learn if you’ll teach me, my Master.”

“My padawan, the force is strong with you. I’ll teach you the necessary skills,” he says in a guttural voice, trying to impersonate Obi Wan. “But you’ll have to stay in Boston for that. Give up your old life in LA. Can you do that?”

I’m taken aback by his statement, lower my gaze and take a sip of coffee. A relationship is not something I want, not now, maybe never. But the way he says it makes my heart skip a beat.

When Bob dumped me, I’d promised myself that it’d be the last time I let a man into my life. And I have a reason for that. Since time immemorial, men have tried to control women, suffocate them, make them puppets. I don’t want that to happen. Having Dad is enough of control in my life. I can’t add another.

“Hey. I’m sorry. I was just joking,” Ryan says, entwining his fingers in mine. “Foolish this man is. Forgive him, can you?”

I cannot help but laugh at his attempt at Yodaish speech. He smiles. “I love the sound of your laughter,” he says. An awkward silence follows. Then he clears his throat. “But Bernard, we’ll figure out how to help him. And also MooreGames.”

“As for your future diversification plans, have you considered educational games?” I say. When faced with a tricky situation, work-talk is the easiest escape route. “It can open a very wide market for you. Maybe start with history or geography. You can use some of your existing game codes for that.”

“That’s intriguing. We could, right?” Ryan stands up, all excited. “We could base the world on actual cities and take the characters through real places, mountains, rivers, whatever y’know. Eva, you’re a genius. How do you even come up with these ideas? You should join MooreGames as our Growth and Strategy Head.”

“Well, to be honest, I’d thought of this after the first Saturday I was here. I wanted to tell you, but we were all busy with the games, and I wasn’t sure this idea was good enough. And then, of course, you went back to doing the old game and all that stuff. I mean, you already know all that happened.”

He sits down on the floor next to me, puts his hands on my thighs and looks up at me. It’s as if I’m looking at the ocean that is pure and deep and vast. “I’m sorry. I should never have done that. Definitely not without speaking to you first. But I thought you hated me and maybe trying to sabotage my company. That’s what Weber had me believe, at least, by saying you were giving me wrong advise. I’ll do anything to make it up to you.”

“Anything?” I say, giving a subtle eyebrow dance. “I might take you up on your word later in the evening. For now, I need to go see Dad. Last chance for you to opt out of the torture.”

He doesn’t opt out and we both go for lunch. Since I had brought no dresses with me, I wear one of Emily’s. I go in first. Dad is already there. Unfortunately, Alex hasn’t come yet. I sit opposite him, awkwardly. We’ve planned for Ryan to come a little later.

“So, how’s work? The client you working for any good? It’s Alex’s friend, right? Your brother told me your work here is finishing earlier than expected. Is it because your work was so good or so shabby?”

Wow. That’s his opening statement. No, how are you? No where are you staying? Just expecting me to disappoint him. As always. I want to tell him how much his words hurt me, but when I open my mouth, no words come out.

Thankfully, Ryan comes in just then. “Hey Mr Jones,” he says. “What a surprise? How’re you doing?”

“Ryan! What a pleasure.” My Dad stands up and hugs him. Yes. Hugs him! Is he the same man who didn’t even look up when I sat down at the table?

“What’re you doing here? Some business meeting?”

“No. I’d just come for lunch. My sister had to join me but she had a last-minute emergency and had to cancel. So here I am, alone for lunch.”

Smooth Ryan! Couldn’t he come up with a lamer excuse? But guess what, Dad laps it up.

“Join us. C’mon. We’d love to have you.” Ryan sits down next to me. “How’s your company doing? I tell you, young man, with your brain, you could’ve made a great investment banker, one of the best.”

I’m sitting right there, doing good work, and I’ve never heard such a compliment. Ever.

“The company’s doing fine. And thanks to Eva here, it’s going to do better now.”

“Eva? Really?”

My God. The man can’t even pretend in front of outsiders that he doesn’t expect the worst from his daughter. I’m so embarrassed by his incredulity. Thankfully, Ryan is unfazed.

“Yeah. And I tell you, she’s given some great ideas. You’ve raised a super-smart daughter, Mr Jones.”

Just then, I hear a gasp behind me. Alex is standing, wide-eyed, his gaze oscillating between me and Ryan. Dad looks up at him. “Alex, Ryan is joining us for lunch. Isn’t that great? I love this boy.”

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