Page 18 of No Way Forward

“While I have you, Novette,” her dad said, ignoring Zaid, “you should know I’m throwing a party here at the mansion next week.”

She tensed. “A party? Don’t tell you me you’re already starting with trying to choose a husband for me.”

“No, I’m not going to choose your husband.”

Her mouth fell open. “You’re kidding?” Had he changed? Could not knowing where she was have changed him enough to make him back off? It seemed too good to be true.

“I’m throwing the party to welcome you back.”

He strode over to kiss her cheek and even embraced her. Emotions choked her. She hugged him hard and laid her head against his shoulder, recalling when they were closer. As a little girl, she followed he

r dad around everywhere he went. She sat on his lap and nattered on about her special daddy who gave her anything she wanted. Boy, was she spoiled, and boy did she wake up from that fantasyland.

“I can’t believe what I’m hearing, Daddy, but if you’re serious, thank you. Not that I need a party. Everyone who attends those things are your friends and others who want to suck up to you. None of them care a flip about me, the adopted Black girl.”

Her father drew back with a frown. “Is that the kind of language you learned while you were gone?”

She snorted. “You mean ‘flip’? Trust me I’ve said worse.”

“Novette.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll watch the ‘language.’ I’m going to bed, but first I’ll look through my closet to see if I have anything to wear to the party. I might have to get one of the dresses taken in.”

“You will not wear old clothes to the party.”

“Daddy, I’ve worn some of them a grand total of once.”

“I’ll get Sheila to choose a clothing store and open an account for you.”

She started to argue but let it go. If she told him the sweats she wore at that moment were secondhand, he might have a coronary. “Daddy, I was thinking of getting a job and—”

“No.”

“You can’t expect me to just laze around and spend your money.”

“I can support you without any trouble. Perhaps you’ve forgotten the danger your life was in two weeks ago.”

She put her hands on her hips. There went avoiding an argument. “And maybe you don’t remember what it felt like to support yourself for the first time, how it gave you purpose. I can’t just fill my life with shopping and swimming in the pool.”

He looked like he would disagree, and Zaid jumped into the conversation. “Sir, perhaps she can get a position at the company where we can ensure her safety?”

The last place Novette wanted to work was at her dad’s firm. He formed her opinion about the law, and she despised it. She wouldn’t become a lawyer for anything.

Her dad rubbed his chin, producing a scratchy sound where stubble grew over the long day. “That could be a good idea. I’ll have to look into the right position for her.”

“I can interview for an entry level position.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Novette.” He pulled his phone out as he left the room. Apparently, it didn’t matter how late he phoned whoever was on the other end. Their responsibility was to answer and jump to his orders.

Novette turned back to Zaid. “Thanks for the suggestion. I don’t want to work for him, but it might open the door for more flexibility later.”

“It’s what I was thinking.”

She touched his arm and leaned in to kiss his cheek. “You always look out for me—in more ways than one. Thanks again, Zaid.”

“My pleasure.”

She hurried up to her room, wondering about the thick quality to his voice.

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