“She thought I was being too harsh on you and that I should reach out to you,” I say quietly. “I was pissed. I couldn’t believe my girlfriend would go against me. I was so hurt over it, and we haven’t spoken since.”
He looks pained. “I’m sorry I was the reason for your argument.”
I shrug. “It’s not your fault. I was a stubborn and angry jerk. I was being unreasonable.”
“What made you change your mind and call me?”
“Tyler. He talked some sense into me and told me about how you’ve been reaching out to him and Maya and spending more time together.”
The look on his face turns tender. “I see. Thank you for giving me a chance.” He hesitates for a second. “I want you to know, I’m so proud of you, son, for the business you’ve built on your own. For how you’ve paved your own way. You’re talented and hardworking. I’m so lucky you’re my kid.”
My chest swells. I’ve wanted to hear him say that for so long.
“Thanks, Dad.”
He hesitates for a second. “How would you feel if I asked you to come back and work as my sous chef again?”
My mouth cracks open. I wasn’t expecting that. “Honestly? I’m, uh, I’m not sure.”
He nods, his expression resigned.
“It’s not that I don’t want to. I just…” I take a breath, careful with how I word this next part. “This is a lot to take in. We’re getting to know each other again. I don’t want to put too much pressure on things by working in the same kitchen again.”
“Of course.” His gaze is a mix of sad yet hopeful. “I just want you to do what makes you happy, Gage. That’s all that matters to me.”
In the quiet moment that passes between us, I picture what it would be like to work with my dad the way he is now: supportive, understanding, and open-minded. I think I’d like that.
He checks the time. “I have to take a work call in a few minutes. Sorry.”
“It’s no problem.”
“I’d like to see you again. If that’s okay.”
I take in the hesitation in his tone and expression. My chest aches. “I’d like that too.”
“Maybe Monday? I have the day off. We could, uh, get a drink or grab a bite.”
“That sounds great, Dad.”
When we stand up, he pulls me into a hug. It catches me off guard at first, but a second later, I squeeze him back. When he lets go, his eyes are misty, but he’s smiling.
He starts to walk off but turns around. “I know I haven’t earned the right to do this, but can I give some fatherly advice to you?”
I smile slightly. “Sure.”
“Do whatever it takes to make things right with Becca. She sounds like a lovely person who makes you happy. You’ll regret it forever if you lose her.”
There’s a look in my dad’s eyes that I don’t recognize, like he knows what it’s like to lose the person he loves over something he could have made right if he hadn’t been so focused on other things.
I think back to how he asked about my mom and her birthday. I think back to that vase of lilies at her house, to the small white card with a red heart and the initial “A.”
Andre.
My dad sent those flowers to her.
Determination surges inside of me. I tell him thanks before running out of the restaurant and to my car.
Chapter27
