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Her dad gave her a knowing look, like he’d read her mind.
She didn’t say anything and happily accepted her plate of lasagnafrom the waiter as a distraction. “So, tell me about your side of the family and about the girls. Haley and I are hanging out later when she gets home from school today.”
“You and Haley are a lot alike.”
“Natalie seems less easygoing and more intense.”
“You mean spoiled.”
She shook her head. “I didn’t mean that. She seems to feel things deeply.”
A thoughtful look came over him. “You might be right. I think she hides her true feelings behind her anger and stubbornness. Where Haley wants everyone to be happy, Natalie wants to ensure she gets what she wants and everyone does what she wants. I hope she grows out of it as she gains more independence.”
“You should put her to work. Give her a purpose and a sense of accomplishment.”
“I’ve offered to have her work here.”
“An offer implies it’s optional. I can tell you from experience, I didn’t always want to be my grandfather’s protégée. Now I see the value in him instilling a work ethic and drive in me.”
“I don’t know what she’d do there that wouldn’t feel like a punishment to her.”
“What are her interests?”
“Her friends. Her phone. Shopping. Graduating. All she talks about is the new car she wants as a graduation gift to impress her friends.”
“Are you going to get it for her?”
“Yes.” He sighed. “The car she drives now is a secondhand starter vehicle. We bought it because we figured as a young driver, she was bound to dent it up a bit. Where I’m practical, Natalie is at an age where appearances matter.”
“In high school, everything is about how you look, what you drive, who you’re seeing, that kind of superficial stuff.”
“I understand that. And I want to make her happy. When she and Haley were very young, I missed a lot of things because I was working to build the business. I regret the time lost. Now that the business is thriving, I make it a point to spend more time with them. And for all of Natalie’s complaints about the car, she does take care of it. She drives Haley to school and drops her at friends’ houses and stuff, taking some of that off Miranda’s plate. So yeah, when she graduates, I’ll upgrade her car and pass down the one she’s driving to Haley.”
“What’s Natalie’s college focus?”
“Right now, general studies until she figures out what she wants to do.”
“You should ask her more about her interests, see if you can get her focused on what she’s good at and what job goes with it, then find her a spot in the company to try it out.”
“That’s brilliant. She’s got the whole summer before she attends UC Santa Barbara.”
“There’s nothing like experience to tell you what you like to do and what you hope you never have to do again.”
Her dad nodded.
From that moment on, the conversation was easy. They swapped stories about their past. He filled in her family tree with who was dead and who was still alive. He told her about starting the business with Cody’s father, their mission, and the products they developed.
She talked more about her growing-up years.
Before they knew it, three hours had passed.
They said good-bye outside the restaurant. Her dad waited for the rideshare car to arrive and made sure the guy driving was the one on her app. She appreciated his overprotective streak.
She arrived at the house at the same time Natalie and Haley drove in from school in a silver Toyota sedan. She agreed with Natalie on the uncool factor.
Haley came bounding over as soon as Summer exited the car and threw her arms around her. “You’re home.”
“I just got back from a long lunch with Dad.”
