Page 46 of Passion and Privilege

“You’re what?”

“Timothy offered to let me stay at the manor until my apartment is cleaned up.”

He sighed and shook his head. “I knew it. I knew it the moment I saw him.”

“Knew what?” I asked.

“The guy is smooth. I know his type. I know you’re fresh out of a long relationship and that asshole Scott hurt you. You’re vulnerable.”

“It’s not like that,” I said.

“Catherine, you’re coasting toward heartbreak. That billionaire is only going to break your heart if you get too close.”

“Dad, what the hell are you talking about?” I asked. How could he possibly know what was happening between Timothy and me?

“I’ve seen the way you look at him, and the way he looks at you, Catherine. I don’t like it. I don’t want to see my daughter get her heart broken again. You just got out of a long-term relationship. I think you need to realize you need some time. Let your heart heal. Don’t jump into another relationship.”

“Nothing is going on between us, Dad,” I assured him, my voice laced with conviction. “We’re just friends. We’re helping each other out. That’s all. I’ll be able to work longer hours without disturbing him or his daughter. Dad, please. Trust me. I wouldn’t let myself get into anything I can’t handle.”

“Well, Timothy better remember that you’re my daughter. If he so much as blinks at you wrong, I’ll have a word or two with him,” he warned, his protective side showing through.

“Dad,” I said, laughing again. “I’m not a little girl anymore. I can handle myself.”

“I know you can,” he said softly, his stern expression softening into a smile. “But you’ll always be my little girl.”

My chest tightened at his words. My father was right. As always. I needed to stop getting my hopes up about Timothy. But how could I when he was so compelling?

He had shown me a side of him I was certain he didn’t show many people. He was a good guy. Sure, he had baggage, but he was a good man deep down. I was certain we could have been happy. It just didn’t seem fair that we weren’t on the same playing field.

“Promise me, Catherine,” he said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Promise what?” I asked, even though I knew exactly what he wanted.

“That you won’t let yourself fall for him.”

I stared at him for a moment, swallowing the lump in my throat. Taking a deep breath, I nodded. “I know better, Dad. We only have another month, two at tops, and then I doubt I’ll ever see him again.”

“Doubt isn’t a promise, Catherine,” my father warned. He had an uncanny ability to see right through me.

“I promise, Dad. I’m not going to fall for him.” But the words felt heavy, even as they tumbled from my lips. It was like I was trying to convince myself more than my father.

“Good,” he finally said with a nod. “What’s on the schedule for today?”

Initially, I planned on doing some work in the shop, but I changed my mind. I didn’t like lying to my father and I was lying. I told him I wouldn’t fall for Timothy but it was too late for that.

“I’m going to head to the manor and work on some refinishing stuff,” I told him.

“Okay. I might stop by later. I still have some stuff I’m working on.”

I gave him a hug. “I’ll see you then.”

I loaded up my truck and caught a glimpse of my father watching me. I saw the disappointment and skepticism in his eyes. It hurt to see him like this, doubting the choices I’d made. He didn’t believe me when I said I wasn’t going to fall for the rich billionaire. I had always been a horrible liar. Apparently, I wasn’t getting any better. But I couldn’t deny the pull I felt toward Timothy.

Deep down, I understood my father’s concerns. He only wanted what was best for me, to protect me from the heartbreak and disappointment that life could bring. But sometimes, we had to take risks and follow the path that felt right for us, even if it led to uncertainty. My relationship with Scott wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies, but I didn’t regret it. I wished it would have ended differently, but life had to teach us lessons.

Bennet welcomed me in the foyer. “Good morning,” he said, smiling.

“Good morning.” I looked around, wondering why he was meeting me.