Page 25 of Until Now

“What’s his name?”

“Nick,” I answer before he can. I can’t help the smile thinking about our kiss this morning. But, the more I think about it, my smile falters, and I turn my attention to the menu in my hands. I don’t need the menu, I get the same thing every time, but I’m looking for a way out of the conversation.

“She’ll bring him in before they leave,” Daddy says.

I hum in response and Sarah excuses herself. Closing the menu, I watch people walk along the street. I love coming into town — the food, the shopping, and the people. It’s all so inviting. The Vintage House is my go-to spot with Daddy. We always make it a point to sneak off and enjoy a father-daughter meal at least once. But, today I can’t get my mind off the events from earlier this morning.

The kiss is only going to further complicate things. We aren’t supposed to cross the boundaries. Boundaries set to keep us from being able to walk away unscathed at the end of the summer. Sure, I wanted it, especially after the way he’s made me feel with every touch. The warmth that spreads through me just from his hand in mine or a touch on my back… It makes me want to know how it feels when every part of him touches me.

But, I have to push those thoughts aside. It cannot happen.

Daddy says something catching my attention, but I don’t hear him. “Sorry, Daddy. What?”

“Are you okay?”

“Fine, ho solo molto in mente.”

“Wanna talk about it?” I shake my head. “C’mon piccola, you can talk to me.”

I know I can, but I don’t want to. Not when I can’t tell him what is really going on. “It’s nothing,” I sigh. “I’m just confused.”

“About?”

“Tutto.”

“Well, that certainly narrows it down.” Before he can push further, our waitress arrives to take our order. She’s new, at least to me. Daddy seems to know her. He doesn’t have to order his usual burger and fries, but she looks at me expectantly. I order the kale salad and club sandwich. When she’s gone, he wastes no time continuing the conversation. “Does ‘everything’ have to do with a certain boy?”

You have no idea.

“He didn’t hurt you, did he?” Daddy leans in lowering his voice. “Because, if he did, I—”

“No,” I quickly interrupt him. A small laugh. “Daddy, no. Nothing like that. Our relationship is just…complicated.”

“It’s only complicated if you make it that way.”

“You have no idea,” I whisper.

“Care to elaborate?”

“Not really. I mean, this is kinda weird, right? You’re my dad. I’m not supposed to tell you these things.”

“Davina, there are a lot of things I know about that I probably shouldn’t. And, at this rate, anything you tell me isn’t any worse than you’ve done before.”

“Ci baciammo.”

“Oh, my goodness. You’re right, that seems very complicated.” He laughs as I roll my eyes. “No, no, you’re right. Kissing your boyfriend is definitely on that list of complications.”

“Ha. Ha. Very funny, Daddy.”

“I’ll be here all night.”

“I’m serious! This is…” I sigh. I don’t even know what it is. The agreement with Nick seems like it has been thrown out the window, but something about him just feels… “Different.”

Daddy squeezes my hand, “I know what you mean, I felt the same way when your mother and I started dating.”

Yeah, okay. I can’t even imagine Mother being different. I can almost guarantee she was born this way.

“Life has a way of changing people. You should be able to understand that.”

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