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You’re worth everything

I press my hand over my heart to keep it from escaping. I’ve never felt like this about anyone before. It’s intoxicating and terrifying in the same breath. And so fucking easy. I blow out a breath before sending him a kissy face emoji.

Leaving my phone on the bed, I walk to my closet. I ordered some clothes with the new expense account my dad gave me. Jeans and a sweatshirt aren’t the type of things William Foster wants to see his daughter in for dinner. I need him to consider me his protégé, not a little girl playing dress-up.

I change into a black shirt dress and fix my hair and makeup. My mother always lamented the fact I wasn’t more beautiful. Like that’s why my dad didn’t want anything to do with me growing up. But when I look in the mirror now, I don’t hear her words putting me down, only Will’s words lifting me up.

I slip on my heels and head down to the dinner table. I smile at the server and take my chair to wait. This is part of it. Being on my dad’s time. I don’t fidget or get out my phone. I just sit patiently.

My father walks in a few minutes later and nods when he sees me waiting for him. He takes his seat and waves to the server, who hurries over with a bottle of wine ready to pour.

He sits back in his chair and watches me. I tilt my head a little, but don’t shrink from his attention like I have before. This is a new game and I’m ready to play it.

“I think it’s time to drop the pretenses.” He lifts his glass and takes a sip as the salad course is set before us. “You don’t seem as skittish as you were, and with no company here to distract us, we should be able to get right down to business.”

I draw in a breath and straighten. “Of course. I’ve been looking into the admissions process at Harvard. My orchestra experience will be beneficial. Thank you for the cello lessons over the years.”

He nods in acknowledgment as he takes a bite of his salad.

“Art will also help as an extracurricular. Will and I discussed what it will take to improve my SAT scores and keep my grades up in my classes. We’ve put together a study plan. But my admission packet is still a little light.” I take a bite and pause, taking a drink before clearing my throat. “Will is planning on doing a service project in Peru over the winter break. I believe it’s an opportunity for me to add to my resume for Harvard.”

It will also get me out of the internship my dad forced upon me. His brow furrows.

I continue before he can say anything, “The internship would also be good for college, but when I looked over the prior year admissions, they’re clearly biased toward admitting students with service projects in their background.” Always show you’ve done your research was one of Luke’s must-haves for dealing with our father.

Dad finishes his salad and pushes it away. A server comes over and takes our plates away while another server sets our dinner in front of us.

“You make a very valid point.” He rubs his jaw while he takes in my hair pulled up in a neat bun and the dress I have on, almost businesslike but still age appropriate. “Your mother always downplayed how smart you were. She’s such a flighty woman. I should have known not to take her word for it. Summer would work for the internship.”

I don’t exhale sharply with relief, but I feel it. “Summer would be perfect.”

Until I figure out another way out of it. Of course, getting inside his company might be the best way to bring him down, but I need to be ready.

He hums and nods while he cuts a piece off his chicken breast, wiping the gravy off the knife onto the meat. When he takes a bite, I focus on my dinner, trying to go over what I need to tell him. Always give him wins first.

“I’m preparing a solo piece for orchestra competition. My director says I have a good chance at getting first place.” I don’t let my eagerness show on my face. Mom never really appreciated anything I did. I was a paycheck for her. There’s still part of me that wants to impress my father.

And now I have the opportunity to lean into that. Because it’s time someone took down my father. What makes me think I can do what Luke wasn’t able to accomplish over years living with this man? Simple, William Foster underestimates me. He doesn’t believe I’m as intelligent and cunning as Luke. He’ll make mistakes because he doesn’t think I’m good enough to catch them.

“What do you know about your brother’s activities?” Dad leans back in his chair. It still feels weird to think about him as Dad. He’s the sperm-donor, but now I’m going to make him proud in a way Luke never wanted to.

“He’s still staying at Caden’s for now. I’m sure once Harper goes back to her house, he’ll go with her.” We talked about what I should say when Dad asks. Luke didn’t give me much instruction because there’s not a lot my father doesn’t already know. He will test you, always stick as close to the truth as possible.

“And where is Harper staying right now?” My father’s eyebrow lifts, waiting for my answer.

“She’s staying at Jack Hill’s.” I say it like it isn’t a big deal. It’s too easy for our father to figure out where Harper goes at night. If he didn’t know, it’s not earthshattering if he finds out. But if he does know, and I lie, he’ll know I’m not on his side.

This is the part Luke said I had to be careful with. Everything I tell him has to be based on some version of the truth. There’s not a lot that happens in this town our father isn’t aware of. If I try to lie to him, he’ll find out.

Our best bet is for me to tell him as much of the truth as we want him to know. And the logistics of where people are staying isn’t something he’ll have difficulty figuring out.

“Hmm.” My dad takes a bite. “You’ll stay here from now on. Bruce Ross and I had a falling out. He would take way too much pride in having both my children living under his roof.”

“Of course.” I give him a small nod. “I would like to personalize my room if that’s okay.”

It’s not a question. Questions show weakness, but I also have to show him that I’m willing to do what he wants.

“Do you need more money for it?” he asks like money is of no object. Which given where I am, it probably isn’t.