Page 12 of One Foggy Christmas
A burst of laughter spits out, and I immediately cover my mouth, partly to hide the noise and partly because I shouldn’t be laughing at a joke about Stetson’s looks.
Nash laughs too but, thankfully, moves on. “You come from the perfect family.”
“Oh, don’t let the picture fool you. We’re all kinds of dysfunctional. My dad rags on my brother for not having a suitable life plan. My mom shoves all our problems under the rug and pretends like there’s nothing wrong. Tate seems depressed and lost, and I can’t figure out why. Annie is self-centered and oblivious to it all.”
“And you?” His green eyes stare deep into mine.
I smile, masking the frustration with my family that’s built over the last few months. “I’m living my best life in Chicago.”
“Until you leave to take over the family business. Then you’ll really be living your best life.”
“Actually”—my heart thuds as I say words I haven’t admitted to anyone before—“I don’t know if my dad will ever let me take over his business. Not really. I can totally see him pretending to retire and then coming into work every day just to micromanage me or tell me how I’m doing everything all wrong.”
“I can’t imagine a world where your dad doesn’t know how capable and incredible you are. I’m sure he knows it but doesn’t say it out loud.”
“Maybe.” I shrug, blowing out a heavy breath. “But until he does say it out loud, I’m going to work my butt off to prove that I have what it takes. His blatant rejection of this internship made me realize, for the first time, that his love is contingent upon me doing what he wants me to do. I should’ve realized it sooner withmy brother. Tate broke the mold my parents had set up for him, and their relationship hasn’t been the same since. By coming out here, now I’m the one that’s ruining my life.”
“I’m sorry that things are so complicated with your family right now.” The softness behind his eyes is enough to melt me.
I’ve allowed Nash to see parts of me that I usually keep hidden away. I want to ask about his family and learn the struggles that make up the backbone of his life.
My mouth opens to ask about him, but Grace beats me to it, popping her head into my cubicle.
“Nash, Donovan Garcia is on the phone for you.”
“I better take that.” He follows Grace but pauses to say, “I hope, in the end, your dad sees what I see.”
And then he’s gone.
I drop into my chair, leaning back to stare at the ceiling tiles.
Opening up to Nash Carter was way too easy. I told him things that I’ve never even told Stetson.
I’ll spend the rest of the day thinking about why I did that.
SADIE
“The Mic Drop.”I read the name on the neon sign outside the bar, just confirming that I’m at the right place. I should’ve been here a half hour ago, but Tate called to see how another week of work went. He seemed slightly off, so I didn’t want to rush our conversation.
“Sadie?” Harper appears out of nowhere, linking her arm in mine. “Are you coming inside for karaoke night?”
“Yeah.” I smile at my new workplace friend. “I just wasn’t sure I was in the right place.”
“You definitely are.” She tugs me forward, opening the door with her free hand.
The excitement around the office this week over karaoke night was palpable. I guess it’s a tradition they do once a quarter—another team unity thing that Nash put in place.
“There’s everyone.” Harper points straight ahead to several tables in the front. She swings her smile to me as we walk to our group. “What are you singing tonight?”
“How seriously does everyone take this? I’m a horrible singer.”
“No worries. We’re all terrible. Nash is by far the worst.”
“He sings too?” I don’t know why I’m surprised by that.
“Oh, helovessinging the cheesiest songs. Last time, it was ‘Making Love Out of Nothing at All.’ You know, the old song by Air Supply?”
My lips curl up, just envisioning it.
