Page 5 of Just Another Chance

“My business associate’s daughter’s name is Chella and it would be a simple meal.”

My head snaps up. “Wait, what?”

“I asked if you would do me a favor and since I’ve never asked you for anything before, I don’t see why it would be a problem,” he says in a matter-of-fact voice.

“A favor?” I repeat, my hackles raising. He sure has a lot of nerve. No, he’s never asked me for a favor because we rarely talk. “Did you say tonight? Because I have plans already.”

“This is extremely important,” he states.

“So why don’t you ask Nash? I’m sure he’d love to do it.”

“Nash is currently in San Francisco for a business meeting,” my dad explains. “Besides, I don’t want her wined, dined and seduced or I would’ve waited until he got back. I want a gentleman to accompany her to dinner and provide pleasant company. It’ll make a good impression and I need that.”

I stifle a sigh and spear my fork into the salmon and start cutting with my knife.Dammit.Meeting one of my father’s partner’s daughters tonight is not what I’d planned on doing. “Dad, I haveimportantplans tonight.”

“That’s fine. The dinner reservation is at 5:30 and there’s no reason to linger. You’ll be done by 6:30 and then free to indulge in your plans for the rest of the night.” His gaze locks onto mine. “I’ve never asked you for anything, son. If you do this, I’ll never ask for anything again.”

Hmm.Well, that sure makes it a tempting offer.

As I chew on a bite of salmon, I figure I may as well just do it. If it’ll get him off my back and not bother me with anything else, it’s definitely worth it. “Fine,” I grumble, letting him know exactly how put out I am. “But in and out. I’m seeing Addie later and-”

He cuts me off. “I appreciate it, Tanner. It’s merely business and I’m sure she’ll be delightful company for an hour or so.” A small smile lifts the corner of his mouth and suddenly I wonder if he just tricked me into doing something more than what he’s letting on.Cunning bastard.

But, no, that’s not possible. Even if he is trying to play matchmaker, I’m not interested. My heart and soul belong to Addie and no one else. And I can, without a doubt, quite easily say I wouldn’t be interested in some rich girl named Chella. Not my type at all.

“I’m sure,” I respond sarcastically. I’ve never met a rich, spoiled woman who is delightful company. In my experience, they’re either obscenely boring without an intelligent thought in their head or all they do is talk about themselves.

I glance down at my watch and wonder if I should try to see Addie before dinner. I’m so damn excited to make her my fiancée. But, no, I don’t want our time to be interrupted. As soon as she says yes, and God willing she does, I plan on taking her to bed for the next three days.

My plans may have gotten pushed back a little, but I’ll just text her that I’ll be an hour later. Addie is the most understanding person I’ve ever met, and she won’t mind.

Sucking it up and going to this dinner tonight is going to be good for me in the long-run because I plan to hold this little favor over my father’s head from now until the day, he’s six-feet under.

We continue eating and the conversation is stilted and strained. Like usual. My dad doesn’t even bother to ask about his other kids. I don’t even know when the last time he spoke to the twins or Sawyer was, but he doesn’t seem to care.

Quite honestly, I don’t think they do either.

What a depressing family we are, I think and stab a piece of salmon. We can’t even really be considered dysfunctional because even broken families spend time together. We’re like strangers and that kind of makes me sad. When Addie and I have children, I want us all to be close. I’ve spent far too long with a father and siblings who don’t talk or get along. It would be really nice to have a good relationship with my kids.

But one thing at a time. I’m sure children are a way off yet and I’m going to attempt to do this in the proper order and propose before the babies start popping out. Although, if it started in reverse, I wouldn’t care. As long as Addie and I are together then that’s all that matters.

I don’t mention her or my plans for this evening because I know my father will shit all over my happiness. I talk a little about my furniture business and he offers a bit of insight into how well TB Tech is doing. But I had no doubts. The amount of money that pours into my bank account every quarter from the stocks I own is absurd.

After we finish eating, I’m ready to get out of here. I can only take so much of Thomas Beckett. He’s like a really strong antibiotic that your body can only tolerate in small doses. Too much and you get sick.

Dad takes care of the bill and refuses the money I lay on the table. “Save it for tonight,” he says.

We walk out of the restaurant and stand awkwardly in the luxurious lobby for a moment.

“I want you to know this means a lot to me, Tanner. I won’t forget it.”

“You’re not indebted to me, Dad,” I tell him. “My favors are free. I don’t plan on holding this over your head.” And, truthfully, I don’t. That's how he operates, not me.

“Even so, I appreciate it. I look forward to hearing how it goes,” he adds with a mysterious little smile.

I narrow my eyes, not liking his tone. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

“Alright then. I suppose we’ll talk when we talk.”

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