Page 60 of Restored By You

First impressions are the groundwork for any relationship—personal and professional, he’s been preaching that to me for years.

Which means he already made up his mind about Rhett before he ever set foot on that porch. He doesn’t do first impressions blind. My father does research.

The thought sits like a stone in my gut the whole silent drive to dinner.

Red’s Steakhouse is the nicest place Whitetail’s got, which isn’t saying a tremendous amount. Exposed beams, tablecloths, dinner lighting, and a good bourbon list to appease even my father.

My father, however, takes one look at the sign, the gravel lot, the men in flannel gathered outside for a smoke, and I watch his lip curl before we’ve even parked. “No dress code, I assume,” he says, holding the door for Michelle.

I fight not to roll my eyes. “It’s a small town, Dad.”

“So I gather.”

Inside, we’re seated at a corner booth, and for a few minutes, it’s almost civilized. Michelle orders wine and tells us about the honeymoon—Positano, then a week in Tuscany, a vineyard, a cooking class. She’s being genuine, showing me pictures, trying hard to smooth the jagged edges this morning left, and I feel a pang of gratitude toward her.

“And how was Tyler?” she asks brightly, reaching over to squeeze my hand. “Daniel and I are just dying to hear how you two got along.”

I bite my tongue. Considering they only ‘officially’ checked-in twice with a phone call, and mainly over text every few days, I bet they are curious.

“Fine,” Tyler mutters from beside her.

I glance at him. He’s got his hood down at least, because Michelle asked him to, but the earbuds are still looped around his neck ready at a moment’s notice, and he hasn’t looked up from the table since we sat down.

My chest aches at the sight of him. My hoodie loving, ninja mentor. Folded back into himself once again.

“He was better than fine,” I say, and I mean it fiercely. “He’s been incredible. He’s basically been co-directing the whole pilot. He’s got a real eye behind the camera. My girlfriend, Callie, who’s done some directing herself, even took a look at some of the footage and was blown away.”

Tyler lifts his gaze briefly, but without a smile, it’s hard to say what he’s thinking.

“That’s my boy.” Michelle beams at her son.

“Speaking of the pilot.” My father sets down his wine. “We were able to walk through the house this morning. For someone who has a vested interest in the care of said house, I was surprised to find the door was unlocked.”

Here we go. “We were working late last night. It must have slipped my mind. Whitetail is a very safe community, actually.” I keep my voice level. “So, um, what did you think during your walk through?”

He considers me for a long moment, and I hate how much I still want him to say it’s good. I’m twenty-eight years old and still leaning across a table hungry for one scrap of my father’s approval.

“It’s competent work,” he says finally.

Competent? As if it’s barely meeting his unimaginable standards.

Heat pricks behind my gaze.

“The floors are lovely, Shea,” Michelle offers. “Stunning work.”

My father huffs. “Though I do question the timeline in how you were able to nearly finish a full gut in six weeks.”

“It was a restoration. Not a gut,” I correct him. “That’s the whole point of the show, if you remember. We take—”

“With a two-man crew and a teenager,” he cuts me off.

“No. With a very good contractor,” I say, and the temperature at the table drops ten degrees.

My father’s eyes settle on me, cold and knowing. “Yes. Let’s talk about your little…contractor.”

“His name is Rhett,” I say.

“I’m aware of his name. I’m aware of a great deal about him.” My father turns his wine glass by the stem. “Rhett Montgomery. Montgomery Construction & Lumber. One of six children, his family has lived in the area for three generations. He has a decent enough reputation, which is precisely why I find it quite interesting that a man such as him would take up with the owner’s daughter in the middle of the largest contract his little company has ever been awarded.”