𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐒𝐄𝐘
For the past five years, I've managed to avoid him. I've managed to forget about him and move on from him. Mostly. Alex Lancaster and I have history, but nothing will ever change between us.
At least until he shows up at my dad's work...
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Alex opens the car door for me as we sit, parked in front of the restaurant my dad gave me the address to. I climb out, tightening my coat around me against the cold weather.
"You ready for this?" Alex asks.
I sigh. "Don't really have a choice, do I?"
"I wish I could say you do." He retorts, successfully drawing a smile from me. "Come on." He holds his arm out for me, and I take it, letting him walk us inside the restaurant.
My stomach is a sea of nerves and dread. What time is it? I check my phone. Eight fifty-three. We're early. He can't be mad at me— us.
We find my dad at a table near one of the back windows, his glasses sitting on his face while he types something on his phone. I exhale, stepping away from Alex and walking to one of the chairs opposite of him.
"Hey, Dad." I greet, shrugging off my coat and draping it over the back of my chair.
"Lindsey. Alex." He nods at us. I notice his eyes scan my body and suddenly, I'm self-conscious of what I chose to wear. It's a simple black dress with a lace neckline and falls a little lower than mid-thigh. It's a cute dress, but cute might not be to my dad's taste.
He says nothing, turning away and looking at Alex. I exhale a shaky breath, taking my seat. I sit with my back straight, my legs crossed, and my hands in my lap, fidgeting.
Alex sits down. "Mr. Hayes. How are you?"
"Fine." He nods. But he doesn't smile. Doesn't say anything else. He turns to me, but before he can say anything, a waitress walks over to us.
"What can I get you all to drink?" She asks, taking out her notepad.
"Bottle of scotch for the three of us, if you have it."
She writes it down, but I cut in. "Uh, just water for me and him."
My dad looks— no glares at me. "Sorry, excuse her. Just a bottle of scotch."
The waitress pauses. "What is so wrong with a water?" I ask him, brows furrowed.
"You'll be fine without it. If you're not gonna drink from a bottle I'm paying for, don't drink anything at all." He scowls.
"Fine." I turn to her. "On a separate bill, add two waters, please."
"Uh... Will do?" She sounds confused and she looks it, but then she's walking to the back.
My dad leans in, hissing. "Why do you have to cause a scene everywhere you go?"
"Not everyone wants to drink alcohol."
"Get over it." He glares. "If you have such a problem with it, then you can leave and go back to that no good job of yours. Maybe if you had gone to law school, or college at all, you wouldn't make such a ruckus."
