June wasn’t awkward at all, though. “Wet met at work, actually.”
“Oh really?” Mom clapped her hands. “That’s great!”
“You’re not going to list off a bunch of things wrong with that?” Arabella
realized she forgot cream. She stood up and walked to the fridge and set it
on the table before she sat back down.
“Why would there be anything wrong with that?”
“We’re very thankful that Arabella has a good job now,” Dad said.
“Aren’t we, Mother?”
“Yes. Yes, we are.” Mom nodded.
Arabella squirmed. If her parents found out June wasn’t just her boss, but
that she was the CEO of the entire place, they’d no doubt have other
questions. Or maybe they wouldn’t, but if they did, she really didn’t know
how to answer them.
“We’re very happy to see such a beautiful, smart young woman is dating
our daughter,” Mom went on, oblivious to how Arabella turned a bright red.
Dad nodded. “With a good head on her shoulders. We couldn’t ask for
anything more than that, and that you treat our little girl right.”
“Dad…” Arabella protested. “I’m not your little girl.”
“Whether you’re my oldest or not, everyone knows that a man’s
daughters are always his little girls.”
Arabella felt her tear ducts starting to work. She blinked back the sting.
Because now was the time to get all sappy and sentimental. Her dad gave
her the softest look, though, and it was hard to remind herself why she was
bothering to hold the tears back. It was nice to sit like this. As a family
again.
“Are you guys having tea?” Arabella asked. “Or am I the only one
keeping up the charade?”
A chorus of laughter rang out around the table, and everyone got busy
making their tea. She was sure her dad didn’t even like tea, but even he
made an attempt at it. After they all had steaming mugs in front of them,