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I normally helped Dad and Uncle Luca at the deli on the weekends, but Uncle Luca had called to ask if I could help cover Monday. After a check in the mirror, I’d determined was ready to face the world without concealer, so I agreed.
After I’d moved in, Evan had asked if I still wanted to go work at the deli. What he really meant was, how ready was I for my family’s reaction to the news of us as a couple? I’d decided that not going would be showing weakness. The worst that could happen would be that Dad would get upset and leave for a while. I supposed technically, he could fire me, but he might need uncle Luca’s agreement for that. And ultimately, since I worked for free, I doubted things would get to that point.
Rachel waved as I came in the deli’s door. The line at the counter was long. Dad looked over and then went back to what he was doing without a greeting.
Okay, so I was late. At least I was here. I went in back to get my apron, and after washing my hands, I started with the next customer in line.
By the time I finished, Dad had left.
An hour later, the rush had quieted down. I was slicing two pounds of roast beef for an order when Uncle Luca came out from the back.
His hand came to rest on my shoulder. “I think you landed a good one.”
“Huh?” I played dumb.
“What? You think I don’t read the papers?” He winked. “You stay with that McAllister boy as long as you think it’s the right thing for you. Ignore your father. He’s bitter and doesn’t understand.”
It felt good to have Uncle Luca on my side. I nodded. “I am doing the right thing. And besides, I’m old enough that its none of Daddy’s business.”
“That’s right. It isn’t. And I know from experience that he’s a good sort.”
I stopped slicing. “You what?”
The bell over the door jingled.
“Good morning. What can I get you?” my uncle asked the customer who had just arrived.
I rang up the lady who’d wanted the roast beef and then busied myself wiping down the counter. I had to mentally remind myself why this shitstorm was worth it. I was doing the right thing by the children—those words said it all. It just sucked that I couldn’t explain that to anybody in my family, especially Daddy.
Rachel took the opportunity a bit later to interrogate me about Evan—where did I meet him, what was he like, tell her about his place, and if it wasn’t him, who hit me because she wanted to get in on the beat down?
It had become second nature to sidestep the media questions, mostly with silence, but with her I had to say a little more and found it awkward.
Then she let loose a zinger. “Maybe we can go on a double date.” That was a dangerous one, because fooling my sister would be much harder than the paparazzi.
“I wouldn’t get your hopes up,” I told her. “He’s a pretty secretive guy, but I’ll ask.”
“So Dad is right about him? He’s stuck up and mean?” She wasn’t buying the reclusive-billionaire angle.
“Not at all. The history between the families makes getting together difficult. It would be hard on Daddy.”
“I don’t see why. You guys are in the paper all the time kissing and…” Her face went red. “And you’re living with him.” She meantfucking each other’s brains out. “So Dad is already dealing with it.”
Now I was the one with cheeks on fire. It would be easier if I told her we weren’t sleeping together, but I couldn’t go there. If I did, she’d probably see right through me,andrealize it was something I’d thought about, something I wanted.
“But I’m not living at home with Daddy and you. That’s the difference.”
“Whatever you say. Hey, we could eat at his place. It has a kitchen, right? Then Dad doesn’t have to know.”
“We’ll see.”
She nodded, smiled, and pointed a finger. “You’re afraid he’ll like me better than you.”
“That’s it.”
Maybe Dad hadn’t been the one I should have worried about seeing today.
* * *
