Page 89 of Father of the Bride

“Iambetter than that.”

“Glad to hear that. Because it’s bigger than that fight. That girl is still grieving her mother. She’s trying to navigate all this shit on her own, and the people she trusts the most are running around acting a damn fool. Outside looking in, it’s hard to see which one of you are the parents and which ones are the kids!”

Mark stared out at the coastline. “I didn’t mean for it to go like this.”

“I know you didn’t.” William rested a hand on his son’s shoulder. “But it’s cleanup time. You got work to do.”

Mark nodded. The two exited the cart.

“Brooklyn’s reasonable,” William said. “Talk to her. Be honest.”

Mark gripped the club in both hands.

“By the way…whatisthe truth? That you love Davion’s mother?”

“Yes, sir. That is the absolute truth.”

“Then tell her that. Man up and take responsibility. Earn her respect back. Get her down that damn aisle.”

Mark stood in silence for several moments, breathing in the ocean air, letting the sound of the waves ground him. His father’s words were harsh, but necessary. That’s why he brought him out here.

“I’ll talk to her when I get back.”

“Good. Now get to swinging. Loser owes a thousand.”

“Yeah…about that.” Mark shook his head. “I don’t know if I’m good for it. This thing with Sterling. It ain’t looking good.”

Chapter 31

ItwasquietwhenMark entered the villa. Tension still lingered in the air, silent but thick. He left his shoes and hat in the mudroom before heading upstairs, barely rounding the corner when Vince came out of a bedroom and tiptoed down the hall.

Mark slowed his stride, then stopped completely.

“Vince?”

He froze, shirt wrinkled, eyes wild. “Hey, Dad.”

Mark looked past him, then back. “Whose room did you just come out of?”

Vince scratched the back of his neck. “Uh…actually…Tigra’s.”

Mark blinked. “Tigra, as in Sunny’s best friend Tigra?”

Vince nodded.

“The Tigra that’s close tomyage.”

Vince nodded again, bracing for a speech.

But Mark just stared, eyes heavy, lips pressed tight. Then he sighed and rubbed his temples. “You know what? I ain’t even got the energy.”

He waved a dismissive hand and kept walking toward Sunny’s room. Behind him, Vince let out a breath of relief.

At Sunny’s door, Mark knocked softly, hovering until he heard movement.

“Cici.”

A pause, then a soft shuffle from inside.

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