Rise - Part Two (Rise #2)(17)

"He's a really great guy, dad."

"Does he have a steady job?" My father pulls at the edge of the Los Angeles Times. He reads the paper from cover-to-cover each day. He's proud of that fact. It's helped to fill in his time since he stopped working. "Good jobs are hard to come by these days."

"He has an amazing job. I need you to trust in me."

His brow arches. "I trust you, sweetheart. I don't automatically trust the men you date."

I can't help but smile at the broad grin on his face. "Come to New York soon to meet him. You'll see what a good man he is. "

"I'm actually going to take you up on that offer." He points to the calendar that's hanging on the wall. "As soon as you're done with the lingerie job, I'll come."

"I'll be back here before then." I reach to grab his hand. "Maybe if the timing is right, I can bring my new friend to meet you."

His fingers grab tight to mine. "Until then you watch yourself. Promise me you're going to do that or I'll hire a bodyguard to follow you around."

I shake my head playfully. "I don't need anyone to babysit me. I can take care of myself."

***

"I heard you were in L.A."

I might have to reconsider that offer of a bodyguard. I've just stepped out of the future home of the Liore boutique and right into the arms of Ansel Rinaldi.

I push back wanting to distance myself from him. "How did you find me?"

"I have my ways."

He may think that's flirtatious or mysterious but it's creepy to me. "Are you stalking me, Ansel?"

"Stalking you?" He glides his hand over the top of his head. "Why would I stalk you?"

I glance down the street in search of my father's car. I'd texted him just a few minutes ago to see if he wanted to meet me for lunch now that my meetings are done. I know that it's going to take him at least twenty-five minutes to get from his place to the spot I'm standing.

"How did you know I'd be here?" I push my finger against the white t-shirt that is covering his broad chest. "I want to know."

"I talked to your brother last night," he admits sheepishly. "I called him and he told me your dad said you were visiting him because you were working on a job at this place."

I don't turn as he motions towards the storefront. "You still talk to Clinton?"

"I talk to him almost every day."

I curse under my breath. I knew the two of them were close at one time, but I assumed when Clinton moved away from Boston that his friendship with Ansel would fade away. I've spoken to my brother at least a dozen times in the past month and not once has he mentioned that he still is in touch with my ex.

"I'm meeting my dad, Ansel," I say hurriedly as I rub my knuckles. "Can't you just leave me alone?"

His face softens with my words. I know they must sting him but anything the two of us shared isn't there anymore. It's a waste of my time and his to try and pretend that there's something left between us.

"Tess," he begins as his head darts to each side. "I think we should talk about things. We never really talked about what happened."

I know he's not referring to the break up. He wants to delve back into the moments following the most painful experience of my life. "I told you that I never wanted to talk about that again."

He closes his eyes as his head falls back. "I lost something that day too, Tess. You've never wanted to admit that."

I feel rage brewing that I'm not certain I'll have the willpower to control. I want to lash out at him. Not with my fists but with my words. He had let me down in the worst possible way when I needed him more than anything. He'd whispered words of love and devotion to me as I sobbed into the phone and then hours later as I waited for his plane to touch down at LaGuardia airport; he'd called to tell me that he had to attend a party in Aspen. It would kill his career if he didn't, he said. It killed any lingering feelings I had for him when he chose his friends over me.

"Don't you dare talk about that day," I spit the words out clearly. "Never bring it up again."

His bottom lip quivers slightly and I can't help but wonder for the briefest of moments if he's going to cry. He doesn't. He only pulls in a heavy breath. "You know that I love you, Tess. You know that nothing will ever change that fact. You're going to come back to me. Mark my words."

I'm so tempted to spit in his face that I feel the saliva gathering on my tongue. I swallow hard, look past him to where a crowd of women has gathered less than twenty feet from us and in utter silence, I turn and walk away.





Chapter 16


––––––––

"Tell me about Los Angeles." His voice is calm and soothing.

I didn't come to his apartment to talk about that. I came to comfort him and to hear about what happened when his brother found out that their father was still alive.

"We can talk about that later." I look at his face. I can't read anything from his expression. He looks rested and his beard is neatly trimmed. I'd bet money on the fact that he's had a haircut since the last time I saw him too. Something has definitely shifted in Landon's life. "How did it go with your brother?"