Page 44 of Great Pretender
“It was nice.” Dad rests back against the stack of pillows.“I also don’t think it would be a bad thing if the article was right.”
I laugh nervously. “Dad, we were just having dinner.” That’s what Chad and I agreed to tell people initially.
We’ve planned a dinner here and there.Once people start noting the frequency, we’ll move things along.
As in kissing, then I’ll have a whole other pot of crazy to worry about.
“Sometimes, that’s how these things begin.Your mother and I were just having dinner too.”
I smile at that.
A quick knock at the door has us turning toward it.It’s one of the nurses with Dad’s lunch.That’s the cue for me to grab my own.This was a quick visit anyway.I came by first thing this morning, but he was asleep.At least the plus side of him being here is that I get to see him a few times a day.Aside from getting the treatment, he needs, of course.
“Ahh, lunch. Is it that casserole today?” Dad asks her.
“Sure is, Mr. St. Claire. I got you extra too,” she answers,wheeling the food trolley in.
“See, kid, I’m being well taken care of.” Dad grins at me.
“I see. I’ll catch you later.” I lean forward and plant a kiss on his cheek.
Dad taps my head the way he used to when I was little and issues me with one last smile.
With his words stuck in my mind, I leave and make my way back to the Center.
I won’t be foolish enough and make the mistake of looking deeper into what’s happening between me and Chad.The goal is to focus on the plan.It’s just a little hard when feelings spark that shouldn’t.
But I’ll do it. I know better than to go lusting after a man who doesn’t want me.
That article is going to give us more attention.It was a really good article too.The media liked me. I could imagine us being the couple of focus.
A plan brews as the thought springs to my mind, one that makes me work through my lunch hour so I can leave work early.
I thought it would be cool to meet Chad at work and go out for an impromptu date, soI head home, get dressed up, and go to Chad’s office.
He’s supposed to finish work in fifteen minutes, but I figured if we want people to notice us, getting there early enough will do the trick.
It does.
Chad’s office door is open.When I walk up to it and look in, I’m met with the surprised faces of Chad’s father, Richard, who looks as happy to see me as he did when he came by Chad’s house and saw me.Standing next to him is Georgiou, who gives me the creepy evil eye, and Murray, who always takes me in with admiration.
I look at Chad and feel myself flush from the way he looks at me in my dress, but I play the game and smile back at them all.
“Hi, there, I hope I’m not interrupting.I was hoping to catch Chad before he left, but you all look busy,” I cajole, not missing the grateful smile Chad gives me.
“Nonsense, my dear. We’re just wrapping up here,” Richard says, moving toward me to give me his habitual greeting.I get a little hug and a kiss on the cheek like he hasn’t seen me in years.“It’s so good to see you again.”
“You too, Mr. Holdsworth.” I grin.Out of the corner of my eye, I see Murray cast Chad a smile.
I know he knows about our secret arrangement.I didn’t, however, make Chad aware that Elodie knows.He doesn’t know her the way I do, so I didn’t want him panicking that she might go to the press.Murray is different. We’ve all known each other since high school.
“How is your father doing?” Richard asks.
“Much better. Thanks so much for asking.It looks like he’ll be home in a few weeks.”
“That’s great news. Please let us know if we can do anything to help.I haven’t seen your father in years, but I’ll change that as soon as he’s home.”
“Thank you. He’d like that.” I think a visit from Richard would really help Dad feel like himself.After Marsha’s death, he basically became a hermit.
