Page 61 of Kiss Me

“I know it might be a lot to ask you to travel up from Atlanta at the last minute only a few days before Christmas, but I thought I’d ask,” I add on.

“I don’t know, Ace …” he draws out the answer.

My heart sinks. So much for Christmas miracles.

“Let me think about that and see what I can do.”

This is my father’s way of telling me no. He never tells me no directly. It’s always ‘let me see about that and get back to you.’

It took me a few years to realize that he never actually got back to me whenever he told me that.

“Don’t worry about it. I just thought I’d ask.”

There’s a pause on the other line.

“Are you sure you’re doing alright? You’re not in pain and not telling me, are you? Though the schedule’s kind of tight, we could schedule some additional rest time if you need it.”

His voice softens, and I briefly get a glimpse of the dad I knew many years ago.

“I’m fine. The ankle’s on the mend just like I told you.”

“You would let me know if something was wrong, wouldn’t you?”

No.

“I sure would,” I lie more for his sake than mine.

“Oh, one more thing. Are you with Liza? She hasn’t answered my emails in the last couple of days. That’s not like her.”

I haven’t seen Liza since she ran out of our shared suite. But she did send me a text letting me know that she’s okay.

“She’s, uh, still sleeping, I’m sure. It’s her vacation, too.”

“She’s not there on vacation. She’s supposed to?—”

“Dad, it’s the twenty-third of December. I don’t want Liza to work like it’s any other day of the year. She deserves a break, too.”

“Of course she does,” he replies instantly. “I was just following her wishes. She’s the one who told me she’s available any time of the day or night, anytime of the year.”

That does sound a lot like Liza.

However, I wonder if her workaholism is a result of her own personal preference or if she works this hard because she thinks it’s the only way to hold on to her job.

Suddenly, I feel guilty for not talking to her more about it. I don’t want her to be afraid of holding onto her job as my assistant simply because she needs time off every now and then.

“Dad, can you do me a favor?” I ask.

“Anything, Ace.”

My heart tightens because I know he means anything. Except for dropping work for a little while to spend with me on Christmas.

“If Liza does reach out to you within the next few days, remind her she has the time off. She needs a break whether she wants to take one or not.”

“Are you sure? What about?—”

“I’m sure,” I tell him before he can run down the litany of meetings and plans he has for me in the next couple of weeks. “I’ll talk to you soon, Dad. I love you.”

“I love you more, Ace.”

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