My hands bunch into fists at my side. My biceps twitch with rage. “We’ve already met.” I don’t need to spend a meal with the woman to know I don’t want my daughter around her. “And you shouldn’t be making decisions without me.”
“It’s just dinner, and it’s at the place you own. It’s not like I’m going to her house in the middle of nowhere.” Her voice rises, but she’s not screaming at me. Julianna is irritated, her cheeks are red, and her dark hair in a bun is messy and starting to untangle and fall around her face.
She’s right. I’m not entirely being fair. If she wants to have dinner with someone while at the lodge, I won’t stop her. Hell, I’d be a hypocrite if I did. I’ve been telling her to make friends and get out there. I just wasn’t expecting it to be with a grown-ass adult.
“You can have dinner with her. I’ve got work to do.” I push myself off the desk and climb around to the leather chair, putting my ass down to make a point. I’ll skip dinner if I must, but more than likely, I’ll just grab something and bring it back to my office.
“Fine, be a grump,” Julianna says, and storms out of my office.
“Teenagers,” I mutter.
“Grumpy dads!” Julianna shouts back.
TWO
Cali
The teen girlI met this afternoon was sweet and cute. Reminds me a bit of myself when I was her age.
I stay seated on the plush chair in the lounge. There aren’t too many that are that comfy, and since my leg is elevated on an ottoman, I don’t want to chance someone stealing my seat if I get up.
Which doesn’t help, because I have to go pee really bad.
Coffee didn’t help that, either.
But I’ll just wait until dinner and deal with it then.
Which is sometime soon. My watch broke when I twisted my ankle, which was more like falling onto the floor than I’d like to admit.
I tripped, broke a heel, and bruised my knee while turning my ankle. I have the best luck in heels.
“Cali!” Jules waves as she notices me and jogs over. “I thought we were meeting by the restaurant?”
“Oh, we were supposed to. I’m sorry, my watch broke earlier, and my phone is out of juice.” I show her the dead screen.
“Yikes. My dad would be so mad if I let my phone die. Then he couldn’t reach me.” She gives me a wicked grin before eyeing my ankle. “Do you need help to the restaurant?”
“I think I can manage,” I say, and wince when I stand and put pressure on my ankle.
It’s painful, and I bite down on my bottom lip to stifle the agony. I’ve done worse. I’m a klutz. It happens.
Cali offers me her shoulder. “You can lean on me,” she says.
She’s a good kid.
“Are we meeting your dad for dinner?” I ask. “Maybe he can help get us to the restaurant.” I’m only half-joking. It’s across the other side of the lodge, but at least it’s not a hike on an incline.
“No, he can’t come. He’s busy,” Jules says.
“Oh, okay. Is he still on the slopes?” I’m surprised he’s not joining his daughter while on vacation.
“No, he’s got work.”
“Oh.” I nod. He’s probably got to deal with stuff back at the office in his hotel room. “Maybe he’ll come down when he’s done and join us.”
“Maybe.” She forces a smile, and I can’t imagine how anyone could disappoint this kid.
Jules helps me through the giant room in the lodge to the hallway. We still have quite a walk to go, and I’m grimacing but holding back any moans. I don’t want to worry her or scare the kid into calling for help. I’m sure I’ll walk it off and be fine in the morning.