Page 19 of Unwrapping Spring Break

She leans over a little and whispers, “Does he seem weird to you?” She uses her cup to mask the movement of her lips. There’s no sense in alerting the van den Bergs that there’s personal tension between us.

I nod in agreement. “Yes. I noticed it on the ride here. Can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s something on his mind.”

Lily pauses with her teacup pressed to her lips. “Do you think he knows?” Only then does she take a sip.

“I can’t see how, but anything’s possible.” I can’t rule it out, and even at the slightest chance he does know what she and I have been up to, I don’t want to be blindsided. It’s better to be prepared than caught off guard.

“I’ll find out.” There’s a steely edge to her tone. I do not envy her father when she corners him. Having been on the receiving end of her bad side, I’ll be lucky if I don’t see it again.

Alexander successfully closes the contract deal and we linger to chitchat a while before thanking the van den Bergs for their hospitality. They tell us we’re welcome to visit any time we like, then they bid us goodbye and walk back into their private residence.

With two new contracts under our belt, I’d say this trip is successful after all.

When we get back to the car, Lily slides her arm through her father’s with a smile that is a littletooinnocent to be trusted. “Jax, would you be so kind as to sit up front so I can talk to my dad alone on the way back?”

Yikes. You couldn’t have made me sit in the back with a gun to my head. No, thank you. I nod and slide into the passenger seat as fast as I can.

Chapter Fifteen

Lily

Somethingneedstobesaid about Dad’s attitude. Neither Jax nor I can say for sure something is wrong, nor can we tell if the something that is bothering Dad has anything to do with us. Mother could have gotten on his nerves, for all I know. It’s happened many times before, and maybe he didn’t want to let it show in front of the clients. It could also explain why he came along with us so unexpectedly. I wouldn’t place money on that being the reason. However, I hope it’s not what I suspect.

I slide into the back of the car next to my dad. When I look at him to get a read on his thinking, his eyes are firmly looking out the window. It’s his way of avoiding me or the subject. There can be several reasons for it. Anybody’s guess is as good as mine. The trick will be learning what it is without giving him more reason to be angry.

The car pulls away, and he still doesn’t look at me. I give him another minute or two to begin the conversation. Dad usually moves passed his frustrations if it isn’t about me, and he’d be talking about the new contract. When that doesn’t come, I know it’s definitely about me.

My brows pull into a tight frown, and my jaw sets into the stubborn expression my mother hates so much. She says it makes me look too masculine. I don’t care.

I don’t want to fight, but there’s no way around it. I have to pick a time to duke it out with him carefully. It won’t be long before we arrive back at the hotel. I can’t wait him out, given the too-small time frame. Cutting to the chase is going to be the best course of action.

“What is your problem?” It’s slightly phrased as a question. It’s not the first time I’ve called my dad out on something, but I’ve never used such an aggressive tone. I’ve had it—had enough of his overbearing paternal nonsense.

After a moment, Dad finally turns to me with a sharp, disapproving scowl.Well, at least I have his attention now.I don’t like the disgust in his eyes, and I sure don’t like the fact he’s looking at me like I’m five years old. My anger kicks up a notch before he even speaks.

“You and Jax kissed.” Only his lips move, his teeth clenched together. Like father, like daughter. “I saw you in the hotel lobby.”

It’s probably best I don’t tell him what the kissing led to. He’s angry enough already. Not that it’s any of his business, anyway, but there’s no sense in adding fuel to the fire. Instead, I take a deep breath. “And?”

His eyes narrow at the challenge I present. Dad lets out a short huff before turning his eyes back out the window. “We’re not talking about this. Tomorrow we are all on the first flight home.”

Like hell we are. That’s what I want to say, but over the years, I’ve learned calm logic appeals to him more. Otherwise, he’ll shut down entirely.

“Dad, I love you, but I’m not a little girl anymore. You can’t make my decisions for me.” I don’t want to alienate my dad. I do love him. If I didn’t, I’d do whatever I wanted, damn the consequences. But that would break his heart.

“Not a little girl anymore? Are youkiddingme?” Dad’s outrage startles me. He turns in my direction as much as the seatbelt allows. “You think throwing yourself at a man the same age as your father is the act of a rational adult?” He makes a wild gesture with his arm toward where said man is sitting.

“Throwing myself?!” My eyes widen. He’s crossed a line, and now my temper has found its legs and is off and running. “Is that what you think of me? Your own daughter? I don’tthrowmyself at anyone. And even if I did, it’s none of your business.”

“When you’re representingmybusiness, it certainly is,” he shoots back.

It’s on. “That’s not why I came down here.” I get it from him; I’ll give it back as good as I get it. “But it’s a damn good thing I did, or you wouldn’t have any contracts to take home.”

“Don’t you try to change the subject, young lady.” Dad lifts a finger to point at me.

We’re both yelling now. There’s no doubt the driver and Jax can hear us. With as loud as we can get, the whole island can probably hear us. Neither of us cares. Our hackles are up, and we both dig our feet into the ground when we decide to defend. Neither of us plans on giving an inch.

Dad climbs out of the car at the hotel before it even stops. This just fans my anger higher. I don’t wait for the driver to open my door before I get out myself. I look around for Jax. It’d be nice to have somebody on my side, but when I locate him, he’s already following my dad into the building. He doesn’t even look at me.

---