Page 51 of Pinky Promises

Chapter 21

Callum

Iopentherestaurantdoor and am greeted by the short red-haired hostess smiling at me.

“Hi, welcome to Cheyenne’s. Do you have a reservation?” she asks as I approach the hostess stand.

“The reservation should be under Murphy.” I wipe my sweaty palms on my slacks before placing my hands in the pockets. Cheyenne’s is one of the nicest restaurants in Willow Creek, the type that requires a shirt and tie.

She glances at the screen in front of her. “Oh yes, I see your other party has arrived. If you would just follow me.”

To say I was shocked this morning to receive a call from my father asking me to meet him here today would be the understatement of the century. I think I can count on one hand the number of times he had come to Willow Creek or at least had told me when he’d made a trip to town. I thought this place needed reservations months in advance. Either my father has had this planned for a while, or all he had to do was drop a few extra bills and he got a table.

Whatever he needs to discuss must be important.Is it sad that the first thing that comes to mind is that he has a terminal illness? But even that thought, I’m sure I would only find out once he’s already passed.

I nod as she leads the way. The utterly relaxed feeling from being with Brynn earlier today quickly slips away the closer I get to my father’s table.

I look up to see him sitting there, in a full suit, including a vest. He probably picked this fancy restaurant knowing that I couldn’t wear jeans and a T-shirt. This way, he gets to see the version of me he wants to see, the version he wished I was. It’s not that I mind dressing up, but I feel more myself wearing jeans and a T-shirt.

“Thank you,” I softly say to the hostess once we reach the table.

Of course, my father doesn’t get up to greet or hug me.

“Callum.” His voice is void of emotion.

“Charles.” I stopped calling him dad around the time I turned eighteen. It’s not like he acted anything like a father. He never challenged me on it either. This is more formal, just like how he prefers it.

I watch his jaw tick as I take a seat, stretching my long legs out under the table. Hopefully, whatever this is, it doesn’t take long so that I can get back home. I left Brynn naked in my bed, and before I left, I told her to stay like that.

“So, to what do I owe the pleasure?” I reach for my father’s glass of scotch and take a large gulp. He won’t miss the contents; I’m sure he already informed the waiter to keep them coming.

“I can’t just want to meet up with my only son to see how you’re doing?”

I almost choke on the liquid going down and arch one of my brows in his direction.

“Is that a joke? When have you ever done that?”Like seriously, never.If he even tries to think of something, I will call his bullshit.

Thankfully, he remains silent just as a waiter places a new tumbler of scotch in front of him.I look down at my lap to hide my smirk—called it.

“And for you, sir?” The waiter turns to take my drink order.

“I’ll just stick with water, thanks.”

Once it’s back to just the two of us at the table, my father places his elbows on the table. “I have news.”

“You and Crystal getting a divorce, and you are already on the search to find me a new stepmommy?” The sarcasm drips from my tone like a melting snowman on a hot day. Once my father began dating again, there was a revolving door of women through our house. He’s now on his third marriage since my mother passed.

His hands clench into fists a few times, clearly annoyed at my dig. Should I feel bad about it? Probably, yet I don’t. It’s impressive I don’t have a complex, but he taught me exactly hownotto treat women. My newest stepmom, Crystal, well, I think she might need her head examined as to what she saw in my father to say yes. Maybe it was the dollar signs shining in his eyes. I’m sure he enjoys her youthful personality, with her being only a few years older than me. She’s the epitome of a trophy wife.

“No, Crystal and I are just fine, thank you.” His tone is clipped. Maybe if I piss him off enough, he will just walk out.

“Okay, so then what is the news.”

“Aurora Cove Management has a new business deal in the works.”And what does that have to do with me?He knows I want nothing to do with his business.“I’ve let you play house with Ms. Macallister long enough. It’s about time you grow up and begin thinking of your future.”

My future? I’m not sure how these dots are supposed to connect.

“My future is none of your concern. I have a great job that pays me well, and I enjoy what I do. I don’t need a handout or a job from you. I made that very clear to you years ago. I’ve made it just fine on my own.” Even given the pain-in-the-ass client now and then, I seriously love what I do.

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