Page 43 of Taming Waves

“You’d better not eat it all,” I say.

He loads a fork with a bite, ensuring it includes chunks of pecans, and turns it toward me. “First bite is yours. I can’t promise anything after that,” he replies.

I lean across the table and wrap my lips around the offering. His eyes never leave my mouth as I chew and swallow, then lick the syrup from my bottom lip.

“Audrey?”

I look up at the sound of my name being called.

“Dad?” I was so caught up in the moment that I missed the sound of the bell over the door and my father entering.

Shit.

His eyes slide from me to Parker, and the smile falls from his face.

“What are you doing out this early?” I ask.

“A fishing boat called in an SOS about an hour ago, and we just brought it into the shop. We were hungry, so I told Lewis I’d buy him breakfast.”

One of Dad’s employees, Lewis, waves from a table by the door.

“Same here, actually. Parker is temporarily working at Whiskey Joe’s. We had a busy night because we had closed last week, so we worked up quite an appetite,” I explain.

Parker stands up and extends his hand. “It’s good to see you, Mr. Fulbright.”

Dad’s eyes dart from Parker’s face to his hand, but he doesn’t take it. Instead, he addresses me. “Get home safely, sweetheart.”

“I will. Love you.”

“Love you.”

He joins Lewis at their table.

“I’m feeling tired. Can we request a to-go box and call it a night?” I ask Parker.

He turns to look over his shoulder at Dad, who is still angrily glaring at us.

“Yeah,” he mutters, then waves to our waitress.

Parker pays the bill while I scoop the waffle into a Styrofoam container. He then tosses a tip onto the table and walks me to my car.

“Sorry about Dad,” I say as he opens my door.

“It’s not news to me that I’m not his favorite person,” he says.

“Still.” I start, but he doesn’t let me finish.

“Audrey. It’s okay. I can handle the cold shoulder from your father. You just be careful getting home and text me when you’re there safe and sound,” he says.

I roll my eyes. “I’m a big girl.”

“Humor me.”

“Fine. Goodnight, Parker.”

“Goodnight.”

He shuts me in, and I watch him jog to his truck. Then my eyes meet Dad’s in the diner window. They are filled with anger and disappointment.

---