Page 3 of Falling Hard
Once we were both in my office, I said, "My schedule is light today. I didn't miss anything."
Dad kissed me on the cheek, then patted my back. "I know you wouldn’t skip your duties. How was lunch?"
"I didn't eat," I mumbled, lowering myself into a seat.
His eyes narrowed in confusion. "You've been gone for an hour and a half. What have you been up to?"
"Luke is getting married," I blurted out.
"Is he? Good for him. Maybe you should think about marriage too."
I stared at my dad as if he'd said something insane. "Me? Get married?"
"Why not? Luke's doing it. People do it all the time. What do you have against marriage?" He wrinkled his face, and then it seemed the answer came to him. "You’re not destined to relive that horrible marriage your mother and I had, if that’s what you’re worried about."
Rolling my eyes, I logged into my computer. "There are people who have dreamed their whole life of getting married. I’m not one of them. That isn't in the cards for me." I shook my head. "I didn't think Luke was one of them either."
"As long as he isn't marrying you, I don't see an issue. Anyway, let's discuss those designer sketches you didn’t approve for the bridal line." Dad's mouth parted slightly, and his eyes widened. It seemed a light bulb went off for him. "Makes sense now that every year you reject most of the wedding gowns submitted by the designers. You should let someone more objective make those calls."
"I'm not biased. The sketches weren't good."
Dad shook his head. "I saw them. I even showed your sister, and we agree that seventy percent of what you rejected would sell out this upcoming wedding season."
He was a man, but Jacqueline was a girl's girl, and her siding with him stung. It made me consider his words. "I'll give them another glance."
Clearly displeased, Dad didn't move or speak, and I shrugged. "I have the power to approve the sketches. Do you want to take the task away from me?"
"I can, but won't. Other than the bridal gowns, your picks are winners. It's just the designers are ready to revolt if you don't approve more of their wedding sketches."
"I’m meeting with the girls tonight. I'll do an impromptu survey."
Dad nodded aggressively. "Great idea, sit with your girlfriends and hear what they think." He lowered a stack on my desk. "Give special attention to those in this pile that your sister and I approved."
Just as I went to answer, my secretary appeared behind him. Relieved for an excuse to end this conversation, I spoke to her immediately. "Yes? What is it?"
"Luke is waiting on line one," she said.
"Oh, tell him congratulations on the engagement," Dad said, then turned and left.
Glancing down at my cellphone, I realized I had missed a few calls from him. I lifted my office phone receiver and took a deep breath.
It was showtime.
"Well, if it isn't the man of the hour. Where should I buy my gift? Tiffany's? Bed Bath & Beyond? Or the Salvation Army where this engagement belongs?"
2
FRIENDSHIP
Things would've been easierif Luke and I had just talked it all through on the phone. Instead, he only called to arrange a time we'd meet.
A pit formed in my stomach.
I'd been caught off guard enough today.
"You're being very mysterious. What more is there to tell me?" I asked.
He was somewhere noisy. The sound of construction surrounded him. His voice wavered like he was nearly talking himself out of speaking. "I have an important question for you."
