Coming Home by Samantha Skye

Author:Samantha Skye
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Samantha Skye

25

Scarlett

As the hours pass, our evening continues with great conversation and some flirty behavior and giggles from both sides. Shaun looks at me from across the table, with one hand clasping mine while the other traces the rim of the whiskey glass that he has just ordered.

“Tell me about your father. You mentioned that he is the one who taught you to dance?” Shaun surprises me with his direct line of questioning. I feel unsettled and not sure how to respond. I knew that this would come eventually, but I still feel ill prepared. My feelings are so raw, and I immediately feel tears coming to my eyes. The last thing I want to do is cry in front of him on our first proper date, so I look up to the ceiling, silently praying that any tears recede and don’t drip down my face. I grab my wineglass and take a sip, trying to gather my thoughts and find a starting point to answer his question.

As I look back at him, I realize that a few moments have passed, and he is waiting for me to speak. I see a flash of sympathy cross his face. But I know his feelings are genuine; I can see it in his eyes, in his composure, so I want to answer him. I am just not sure how without either getting that sympathetic look everyone who knows gives me, or seeing the back of him as he runs away, just like Phillip. Before I can form an answer to his question, he continues.

“My father was everything to me. He passed away from a heart attack and left me to step into his shoes as CEO. I miss him each and every day.” Hearing Shaun put his feelings out there, I know he understands a little of my heartache. I know that he still has his mother and brother, so his grief, although expected, is not as overwhelming as mine.

I take a deep breath and look him in the eye. It is now or never. “My father was brilliant,” I say in barely a whisper, a small smile coming to my face as I think about him. I can’t recall the last time I spoke about my family to anyone who wasn’t a police officer or lawyer. But now that I have started, I want to continue.

“He was smart, funny, articulate, down-to-earth, and strong. Plus, of course, an exceptional dancer along with my mother.” I smile and have a small giggle, thinking of all the memories.

Shaun is looking at me and smiling. So I keep going.

“My mother was beautiful, elegant, intelligent, funny, loving…” I stop talking when I see the look of surprise and shock in his eyes.

“Scarlett, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that you had lost both your parents…”

I cut him off. “My brother Jimmy was just a really good kid. Excellent at sports, had great friends, and had started dating and being interested in girls. He was always playing pranks on me and trying to annoy me.

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