"I'll pass on your pearl of wisdom to Riley," I said. "I'm sure he'll be happy to take your advice."
"Don't get pissy with me, son," he snapped. "I don't think Riley wants to be tied down with a baby and a woman either."
I'd hadn't talked about any of this with Riley, but chances were, Dad was right again. We were living our best lives, building our business. All that other stuff could come later. Once we and Leah were ready.
"Did you need anything else?" I asked. "I think I heard the delivery truck." I didn't, but it wouldn't be too long before it arrived anyway. Someone should be at the loading dock to receive it.
"No, get out of here," he said gruffly. "Get the delivery in and call it a night."
"Shouldn't you be finishing up and resting?" I asked.
"If you wanted to be my doctor, you should have gone to university," he said. "Since you didn't, go and meet the delivery driver."
Of course he couldn't resist the jab. He never could.
I responded with a curt nod and took a step toward the door. I stopped and placed my hand on the door frame.
"You might not believe it, but I'm glad you're okay."
He looked over at me, surprised, then gave me a nod of his own. "I'm glad I am too, son. Thanks for holding down the fort while I took a little holiday."
"It wasn't a holiday," I said softly. "You had a fucking heart attack."
"You don't need to remind me," he snapped. "Don't give me another one."
I raised my hands to either side and stepped back, out of the doorway. "Wouldn't dream of it."
The thrum of an engine and the squeal of brakes announced the arrival of the delivery truck, just in time. Saved by the beer.
I could use a drink right about now too. The weekend couldn't come soon enough. I needed a hit of adrenaline even more than a drink. And in there, somewhere, I was going to fit at least one orgasm in.
I hurried away from the office without looking back, and without trying to dwell on how I wished our relationship was different. As if there was something I could say or do that would make him really see me. Something that didn't require compromising myself. Or leaving town to go to university.
I'd thought about that for a while, years ago, but it was never going to be for me. Maybe a little part of me was worried if I left, I'd never want to return. Would that have been a bad thing?
I would have missed out on a lot, including spending time with Riley. Tearing around the forest on our quad bikes. Swimming in the lake in summer and skating on it in winter. Navigating the white water rapids below the falls. All the things that made me feel alive. Would I have found that anywhere else?
I supposed it didn't matter now. Nothing and no one would make me leave Aurora Hollow permanently. Not even my father's approval. Knowing him, it wouldn't be enough anyway. He'd find a way to disapprove of me. A reason to scowl.
"That's his problem," I muttered to myself.
"Pardon me?" Zara said as I walked past the bar to make my way to the loading area.
"Nothing," I said. Nothing important anyway.
She shrugged and went back to polishing glasses. "It's good to see your dad back on board."
I stopped before the corridor that led to the back door of the pub. "Was I that bad to work for?"
She grinned. "Nah, you're okay. I just notice you're happier when you're not working here."
"That obvious?" I grimaced.
"I don't know how to put this, but…yes," she said. "Everyone has seen it."
"Everyone in this place is nosy," I said.
"We want what's best for you," she said. "You can be a prick at times, but you're our prick." She always did have a way with words. And complementing while insulting me at the same time, she must have learned that from my sister.
