MASON
“James is free to see you now.”
I gave my dad’s receptionist a cursory look as I passed by. He was the one who’d called me in, so yeah, he’d better be free. But the new girl seemed overwhelmed, despite her professional greeting.
“Mason.”
My dad started to stand, but I shook my head and tossed some papers on his desk.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“Those are the promotional ideas and plans Adam Quinn and I put together for the hotel’s opening, and sorry, Dad…” I dropped into the seat across from him. “I hate to tell you this, but in all the time I’ve spent with him, I haven’t gotten a whiff of anything illegal. He’s annoyingly pleasant to work with, and happily in love with his woman. That’s all I’ve got.”
He frowned, leaning back with the papers in hand. He scanned them. “Nothing?”
“Nope.” I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “But I don’t know what you were expecting me to do. Quinn and I are not close.” And remembering last night’s fiasco at the carnival’s beer garden, I added, “And that’s never going to happen.”
“Why not?” He dropped the papers back on his desk. His mouth flattened into a disapproving line. “I need something to get in with the mayor. You have to dig deeper on Quinn.”
“I’m not a private investigator. You have an entire team of those at your beck and call. Use one of them.”
“You don’t think I haven’t?” His voice rose.
So did mine. “I’m your son, not your whore.”
His hand slapped the desk, and he pushed up from his chair. “You owe me, Mason. You and Logan both. My investigators haven’t found anything, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. Stephen Quinn dotes on his son.”
I frowned. That wasn’t what I remembered. “Are you sure? Sam saw an exchange between Quinn and his father a few years ago. There was no love between them, or that’s how she described it.”
He waved a hand in the air, dismissing the notion. “He had a heart attack last year. Apparently, he saw the light, and now he can’t wait for his son to officially join his company. The boy is supposed to get married, too, as part of the deal.”
“Wait. What’d you say?”
“What?”
“You said he’s supposed to get married as part of a deal? A business deal?”
“I believe so. Why?”
“Because he just proposed to his girlfriend.”
“Hmmm…”
My dad didn’t look surprised.
“You don’t think it’s genuine?” That couldn’t be. “I know when he gets laid. He comes to work whistling, and I could tell the two times they’ve had an argument. Those were the only two times I haven’t wanted to punch him for being annoying. He’s in love with Becky Sullivan.”
“Where are you two working?”
“Why?” Sudden caution rose up.
“Because Maxine called and asked if you and Adam needed anything. She’s under the impression you’re done with your planning because you haven’t been there for the last week.”
I shrugged, leaning back. “We hit a snag, had to move our office somewhere else.”
“Where else?”
“What do you care? We’re getting the work done. We have three events confirmed, and yes, I’ve agreed to use my name for all three of them—plus a radio interview. Are you going to throw a fit because we’re not planning where you want us to?”
“Yes,” he barked. “Where are you working?”
“We’re at the country club in the mornings.” We were just somewhere else in the afternoons since Sam had to start working at two.
“And she said you guys leave at one thirty every day. Where do you go?”
“We’re somewhere I can watch Sam. That’s all.”
My dad stared at me, and a full minute of silence passed before he asked, “Why do you have to watch Samantha?”
“Dad.” I held a warning in my voice and started to stand up. “I’m not getting into it about Sam. That’s my problem.”
He rose with me, his head lowered like we were about to do battle. “She’s the daughter of the woman I love. I know she’s the woman you love, but I’m invested, too.”
“Because of Analise?”
“Because you both love her—Logan, too. Now tell me what is going on.”
Should I?
For the first time since I couldn’t remember, I stared at my father and considered opening up. I wasn’t forced to ask for a favor—not like two years ago when we needed help dealing with a guy going after Logan’s girlfriend.
All the hatred and loathing I used to feel for my father was gone, and a small amount of respect had taken its place, but I still couldn’t make myself say the words. I still didn’t trust him enough.
He sighed, as if sensing my internal battle. “Mason, I know I was a fuck-up as a father. I let you raise yourself and your brother. I knew the effect my cheating had on your mother, and I still did it. I never stepped in and called her on her neglect, because that would’ve meant the reason for her neglect had to be discussed.” He glanced away and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I’m sorry.” He looked back, raw pain on his face. “I know I’ve apologized before. I know I’ve tried to show you I’m a changed man, and I also know I can never force you to accept me back in your life. But you don’t have to do any of that. You took this internship because of your business requirement. I get that, and I’m glad you’re here. I wouldn’t have it any other way. It would’ve hurt me if you’d gone to a different corporation. So, I don’t know. Maybe you can just tell me what’s going on because I love you? No tit for tat. No blackmail. Nothing. Just…I want to help if I can.”
I studied him. He could be lying. He could use this against me in the future. If I was going to open up, so was he.
“When is Analise going to approach Sam?” I asked.
“What?” He tilted his head to the side. “What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean. She’s here. She knows Sam is here. When’s she going to make her move?”
He shook his head. “Analise promised Malinda a year ago that she’d step back. It’s all on Sam’s timeline. When and if she wants to talk to her, Analise is ready, but it’s up to Sam. She said that to Malinda, and she meant it. Why?”
Because my girlfriend is running herself ragged, worried about when Analise will show up on our doorstep. Because she jumps every time someone knocks on the door. Because I’m tired of catching her looking out the window to see if she’ll see Analise walking down the sidewalk.
I put my hands into my pockets and lifted a shoulder. “No reason. We were just wondering.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. Well, if you want to clue me in on why you have to watch Sam during the afternoon, I’d appreciate it.” He held his hands up. “But I’m not going to force you.” He waited a beat, a half-smile lifting the side of his mouth. “It’s been nice having you work for me.” He nodded to the stack of papers on his desk. “Thank you for all of that. I know the opening ceremony will be a huge success, and not because you’re loaning out your name, but because of the work you’ve done. You and Adam Quinn.”
I winced. “Don’t give that guy any credit.”
“Why? He’s not doing his fair share?”
“No, because he is.” I turned to leave and added over my shoulder, “That’s what’s annoying about him.”
I heard my dad’s chuckle as I left, and for once in a long time, I didn’t hate the sound of it.