Page 55 of Someday You Learn

My father’s eyebrows rise. “Oh? Like what?”

“Like your daughter unplugs appliances when they aren’t being used,” he says, taking our plates over to the sink.

My father looks at me quizzically. “Is that true, June Bug?”

“Um, yes.” My words come out shaky. “It helps conserve energy.”

My dad scoffs. “I doubt that.”

“That’s what I said,” Parker calls over his shoulder, scrubbing the dishes.

“Yeah, well, Parker irons his socks!” I counter, folding my arms as I bite back a grin.

My father’s gaze darts to my fake fiancé. “You do?”

“They’re dress socks. It just makes sense,” he grumbles as I fight to hold in my laughter.

My father chuckles quietly, which I take as a good sign. “Well, it seems you two are learning a lot about each other now that you’re living together, aren’t you?”

“We are, and I’m happy here, Dad.”

He leans forward in his chair and lowers his voice. “I’m allowed to be worried about you, June Bug. This whole thing is a little out of character for you.”

“Well, people change. And what we want out of life can change too, Dad.”

He exhales sharply, sitting upright again. “That it can.”

“What about you?”

“What about me?” he asks, a bit too defensively.

“Have you given any more thought to making some changes too? Taking better care of yourself?” Parker clears his throat loudly from the kitchen, so I turn to look at him. His eyebrows shoot up, and he tilts his head slightly, as if to say,Don’t forget our deal, Cashlynn.Subtle. Real subtle.

I turn back to my dad, trying to keep my voice casual. “You know, now you’ll have a son-in-law to leave the practice to.”

My dad grunts. “I haven’t made my decision on that yet. And given these recent developments, I might need to reconsider my options.”

Leaning forward, I reach for his hand. “Dad, please don’t blame Parker for keeping this a secret. It was my choice, okay?”

“Besides, we’ve all got our secrets, right, Robert?” Parker chimes in. I look between him and my dad, confused.

My dad’s gaze flicks to Parker, and for a moment, something unreadable passes between them. Then he clears his throat, brushing the remark aside. “I just don’t get why you couldn’t tell me yourself, June Bug.”

“You’re not the easiest to talk to sometimes,” I admit, my voice low.

“That’s not true,” he replies sharply, leaving no room for argument.

I give him a pointed look that saysPoint made.

His jaw tightens, and for a moment, he looks like he wants to argue further. But then he exhales, shifting slightly in his chair. “Well...at least I know now. I guess I should just be grateful it brought you here.”

“That would be nice.”

He stands from his chair, leaning on his cane for support as he pulls me up with him. “You mean the world to me, June. I just want what’s best for you.” He pulls me in for a hug.

“I know.”

“I can’t lose you too.”

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