Page 59 of The Runaway Bride of Blitzen Bay (Blitzen Bay)

Nash extends his hand. Dad doesn’t move.

“Dad, sit,” I say, pointing at the table. I pat Nash’s hand as I look up at him. “I’m fine. Really.”

He nods at me. As he starts to walk away, he sees Kit standing up.

“Down! Sit down, crazy!” He points at Kit as he quickly closes the distance between them. “You’re not following her outside.”

“I was trying to get a drink, bossy. Do you think that would be possible?”

“I’ll get it for you. Sit! Don’t make me chase you, Kit,” he says, walking backward to the bar—his eyes fixed firmly on her.

“Who is that guy? Is there something you want to tell me?” Dad says.

“He’s just a friend. Nothing to tell.” I sit down across from him. “Dad, I’m sorry. I’ll pay you back for everything if it takes me the rest of my life.”

He reaches over and holds my hand. “You don’t have to pay us back for anything. Your mom’s just venting.”

“Why is she like that?”

He sits back and sighs. “She wasn’t always. When I met her, she was wild and carefree—just like you.”

“That can’t be true,” I say, taking a sip of the drink Nash just dropped off for me. “What happened to her?”

Dad shakes his head, looking down. “I happened to her, Noelle. I haven’t been the best husband.”

“What?” My eyes start to tear up. “Did you cheat on her?”

“No, nothing like that. I’ve just never been there for her, not like I should have been.”

“What are you talking about? You were always there for us.”

“For you. I was always there for you, but not for her. The second we got married, I abandoned her for work. I spent most of my time at the office and when I was home, I wasn’t really. I left her to fend for herself. I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to realize that.”

“You’re a great dad.”

“I hope so, but I haven’t been a great husband. I always made her play bad cop with you.” He smiles and nods toward Kit. “You know you and blue hair over there were kind of holy terrors growing up. I ignored it and made your mom deal with it. I should have been there for her. I should have backed her up.”

“It’s not too late.”

“I hope not,” he says, leaning back in his chair. “I’m going to try—starting now. You don’t have to pay us back for any of the wedding stuff, but you have to start paying your way. I’ll put a little money in your account to get you started, but if you’re going to stay in L.A., you need to figure out a way to make it work. You’re an adult now.”

I nod. “That’s more than fair. I can grab more hours at work. I’ll be fine.”

“Work? What work?”

“I work at a restaurant near campus. I’m a waitress.”

“You work?”

“Dad, I’ve worked since freshman year. I’ve been saving for law school. I’m still going to have to get some student loans and stuff, but I’ll be okay.”

He shakes his head. “You know, I’m not sure how I thought you were paying for law school. I guess I thought you had a scholarship like UCLA.”

“Nope. I’m paying for this one, but I’m good. I’ll be fine.”

“How are you going to pay rent though? You and Steve have the lease until the end of January, but if he’s not living with you, you’ll have to find a cheaper place. Have you talked to him? Is it over for real?”

“We talked last night and he’s supposed to come up again, but I think it’s over, Dad.”

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