“She hasn’t told me where she went, either,” he admitted. “But I might have an idea of where she is.”
I perked up. “Really?”
He nodded. “I’ll let you know where she is. Because I understand, I won't interfere. The truth is… I had an affair with your mom when she was a student. She was young then, so she probably doesn’t even remember… but I’m the kind of person that believes love is love, as long as it’s not illegal or hurting anybody, but I do need one thing from you.”
“Anything,” I said quickly. “I do care about Angela and want to fix things between us.”
“I believe you. First, you can start by not calling me sir again; just Winston is fine. Second, I want you to please try and have her back for the wedding this weekend. I’ve been asking if she’ll be coming back in time, and all I get is vague answers in return, but I would love it if she was present.”
“I promise to do my best, Winston.”
He took a deep breath, and the expression he levelled at me then was serious. “Also, you have to promise to make my daughter happy. I don’t know if you know about her ex-husband?”
I frowned. “She’s told me some of it,” I admitted darkly.
He sighed. “I haven’t been a good dad to Angela, and it started a long time ago. I didn’t pay her enough attention when she was young, especially after her mother passed away. I do know my daughter, though, and I know she suffered mental abuse at the hands of her husband, but I ignored it for too long. When I found out she was getting a divorce, I encouraged her to do what she wanted to do. I was also happy when she decided to move back here, thinking we could grow closer, but it’s been so long I forgot to talk to my daughter.”
There was a tell-tale shine in his eyes as he looked down with a frown. He drank some more, before looking at me again.
“I was inadequate, and I know it, but I want the chance to make things up to her. If being with you makes her happy, then I’m willing to give you both my blessing, and I can talk to your mother about it as well.”
I was relieved at his words. A part of me was worried that Mom would be against this, even though the situation between her and Winston wasn’t all that different, now that I knew all the details. I was willing to bet, though, that my feelings for Angela be far off from Mom’s feelings for Winston. I also knew that people would talk, but I didn’t care.
As long as I had Angela with me, I could tell myself that everything would be okay. It had surprised me, the depth of my feelings for her, but having her not around, having her avoid me, made me anxious, and I knew my feelings were deeper than temporary lust.
“I can promise you, sir,” I said slowly. “That I will do everything in my power to make Angela happy. I won't let her cry if I can help it, and I definitely won't be like her ex-husband.”
He smiled, the wrinkles beside his mouth and at the corners of his eyes becoming more prominent.
“That’s all a father can ask for.”
He told me where he thought she would be and promised to ask her just to be sure before the day was over. Tomorrow, I would go looking for her.Chapter Twenty-Three
AngelaI’m pregnant.
It had been two days since I made the discovery, and I was ready to accept it. Hiding away and hoping the problem would go away wouldn’t do anything, and it was also unlike me. There was no reason why I should hide. Well, besides the very valid fear that I would get in trouble with the college for breaking the rules, but it would be better just to face the consequences. It would be too pathetic of me to let some little girl blackmail me out of jealousy.
Because I was ready to go back, when Dad asked where I was, I finally told him. I didn’t tell him I’d be making it back in time for the wedding; I thought it would be a nice surprise. I felt butterflies in my stomach at the thought of seeing Ben again, but it wasn’t just anxiety, it was excitement, too.
I was mature enough to admit to myself that I missed him, even with all the trouble the two of us being in a relationship together would bring. I could lose my job, and I didn’t know how our parents would feel about it, especially since they were getting married in a couple of days, but I thought I could deal with it.