Page 23 of Say You Will

“Someone from your office told me you were in Paris?”

“I arrived back in New York three days ago, but I’m swamped.”

I’d called again yesterday and was told he wasn’t even in the country. “I’m in New York too. I thought we could meet. For lunch. Or, if you don’t have time for that, maybe coffee. If you can’t leave work, I could stop by your office for a few minutes to say hi sometime this week or next week. It’s been a while.” Fourteen months since I spoke with him last.

“I don’t have time this week or next, but if you’ll still be in the city in six weeks, I’m having a party. I’ll have my assistant send you the information.”

“That sounds nice.”

“It’ll be good to see you, kid. I’ll send you a dress to wear from my new collection.”

No matter how many times I tell myself it doesn’t matter that he isn’t interested in me and tries to fob me off with trips, haute couture, and cash, every interaction with him turns me into an eight-year-old. “Thanks.”

“I have a little favor to ask of you.” He laughs. “Actually, it’s more of a favor for yourself.”

“Really?”

“I have a business associate named Leo Kingston. You’ve heard of Kingston Hotels. He’s interested in commissioning my decor line for his luxury hotels. Worldwide. It’ll be a spectacular launch of my brand.”

“That sounds amazing.”

“You know what else is amazing? He saw your photo online and asked for your phone number. Your mother is a bitch, but there’s no denying she’s beautiful. You’ve got her bone structure, and you’ve grown out of your awkward teenage years. You’re Guinevere Jones if she were twenty-four years younger, had a natural body, and a decent personality.”

Ick. “I don’t want to be rude, but I’m really uncomfortable with this.”

“How can you be uncomfortable? You haven’t even spoken with him to know if you’ll hit it off or not. He’s good looking. Just meet the man. For me.”

“If Leo Kingston wants your new home decor stuff, that’s great. Going out with me shouldn’t have anything to do with it. Leave me out of it.”

Jonny heaves an impatient breath. “Why are you making such a big deal about giving the man a little attention?”

Oh, the irony.“Because I have zero interest in going out with some random guy whose only interest is based on seeing my photo online.”

“What can it hurt? It’s not healthy the way you insulate yourself. Always with your nose in a book. You need to get out more. You’ll have fun,” he cajoles.

A huff of laughter leaves me. “No I won’t.” There’s not a question in my mind. “I don’t even believe Leo Kingston is his real name. It sounds fake. He’s basically calling himself ‘Lion King.’ I’m not interested.”

“A lot of people use pseudonyms to create their brands. Everything works together to create an impression. An image. Don’t judge the man for making a smart business move,” Jonny soothes. “You should be salivating at this opportunity. He’ll be in New York in a few weeks, and Itoldhim you’d entertain him.”

My lips tighten. “You can’t speak for me and expect me to go along with it.” I’m trying to keep my voice down. The last thing Ineed is for someone to hear any of this conversation and spread it around.

“You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman. Now a man who owns some of the most spectacular hotels in the world wants to take you out. I’m not asking you to sleep with him. Just give the guy a chance.” He’s speaking to me as if I’m a child who won’t eat her broccoli, his voice equal parts exasperation and coaxing. As if the man were ever around to try to get me to eat anything.

Jonny is a shitty father. He always has been, but some part of me has always wanted to please him. When he smiles and gives me a hint of approval or remembers my birthday, it’s this unreasonable high. It makes no sense. I’ve always felt as though, if I make him proud enough, he’ll love me. But I’m not a child any longer. “I’m not doing it.”

“If you do and he signs those contracts, I’ll pay for you to finish school and put you on my health insurance.”

What is wrong with people?He’s the third person in twenty-four hours to attempt to buy me. The fact that he hadn’t mentioned a thing about school or me needing insurance before now, either, irks the crap out of me. He obviously got my messages. He ignored them until now when he thinks he can leverage the information against me. “That bribe didn’t work with Mom either. I said, ‘no.’”

“He’s calling. You’re going.” He bites out the words as he loses control of his temper.

“You’re a terrible person.” I’ve reached my limit. My reaction is cumulative frustration after speaking with Lisa. Jonny could have defended her. He could have stepped in, but he didn’t because it wasn’t something he cared about. Both of my parents are blending in a toxic miasma of assholery in my mind right now.

He scoffs. “I’m a terrible person because I want my daughter to do something other than talk about dead people? I’ve providedfinancial support for you for years. I’m asking for one thing, which you will enjoy once you’ve done it. And you thinkI’munreasonable? When you’ve gone out with the man and the contracts are signed, I’ll pay for your graduate school.”Beep beep beep.

I pull the phone away from my ear and stare at the glossy screen after he hangs up. Is there a point when being emotionally blindsided becomes so commonplace that I’ll become numb to it?

I swivel to face the lobby and pocket my phone. I shouldn’t have turned my back to people in the first place. I’d only done it because Jonny’s call distracted me so much that I forgot to practice situational awareness. It’s not safe to be oblivious to what’s going on around me in a place like this.

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