With a sigh, I shake my head. Dad will always be Dad. “Um, how about you let me in and I’ll tell you inside? It’s kinda late for me to be out here.”
“Oh my God! You’re right.”
The door unlocks, and once it’s closed behind me, Dominic’s headlights sweep to one side as he drives away.
When I getto the fourth floor, Dad is pacing in front of the elevator. The moment I’m out of it, he hugs me tight, smashing my face to his chest.
“Goodness, Mia. You nearly gave me a heart attack.” He kisses my forehead. “Is everything okay?”
I nod, inhaling to keep my emotions at bay. “It is now.”
Inside his apartment, I kick off my sneakers and toss my backpack onto the floor. Then, I meet his gaze.
“What happened?” he asks as he folds his arms over his chest.
“Mom grounded me, so I ran away.”
“You didwhat?” He covers his mouth with one hand.
“Packed my things and snuck out of the house when?—”
“How did you even get here? Please don’t tell me you walked.”
I roll my eyes. “Dominic gave me a ride. He was smoking and caught me leaving.”
With a long exhale, Dad runs his hand through his short jet-black hair. His dark blue eyes, the same color as mine and Matthew’s, scrutinize me. “Ugh, I need coffee for this conversation.”
CHAPTER 3
can i go with you?
MIA
Age 13
September
“So, what happened?”Dad asks once we’re settled at the table in his small kitchen.
I lower my eyes to my cup of hot chocolate, not sure where to start. What if he doesn’t know about the marriage thing? Do I really want to be the bearer of bad news?
I guess it’s too late for that.
I look up at him and spit it out, no more hesitation. “Did Mom and Allan tell you they got married?”
His eyes soften, and a crooked smile plays on his lips.
The crack in my heart fissures a little more. “You knew?”
He leans back. “Of course.”
“And…how do you feel about it?”
“How do…” He narrows his eyes, looking shrewder than my always-kind father ever has. “Wait, let’s start with you. Why did your mom ground you?”
I cup my mug with both hands, relishing its warmth as I tell him about the announcement at dinner and my reaction.
“Mia…” He blanches then shakes his head. “That’s not okay. You know better than to speak like that to your mom. I didn’t raise you to behave that way.”
