22. Robert

Chapter twenty-two

Robert

"Of course."

I drop the phone down. Sara hasn't picked up the phone in a few days, and I don't know what to do next.

I call Andrew, finding out that Maria quit the company. It apparently had something to do with what I said. I'd feel bad, but this is what I want. I don't want her anywhere nearby. And frankly, Maria has probably already planned her next target. I want – no, I NEED Sara, and I have to make things up to her.

Now, it's been three days, and I haven't heard anything. It's upsetting, and it makes me wish that there was something I could've done back then. Well, "should have" is more accurate. I was such a fool.

My phone beeps, and I look, hoping it's Sara. When I see the caller ID, I frown.

Dad .

What could he possibly want now? With a groan, I press the green button.

"Hi, Dad."

"Hey there, Robert. How are you?"

"Fine, I suppose." The last thing I need is to air out my relationship drama to my dad.

"That's good. Say, your mom and I want to see you at dinner tonight. We have some big news, and we want to tell you first."

"Sure, where at?"

"Pete's on Main work?"

"Yeah, that's fine."

"Perfect!" my dad says, almost too excited. "We'll see you there at seven."

I hang up, frowning as I wonder about what he could want. Dad's normally not the type to be a go-getter like this, so it could mean one of two things.

One, something good happened, or, two, something bad happened.

I can only hope that it has something to do with Aunt Cassie being out of the picture.

I go through the motions, and when it's time, I drive over to Pete's Bar and Grill. This is a place Mom and Dad love, but I tolerate it at best. After I pull up and park the car, I slip inside. My parents wave the moment I walk in, and I take the open seat next to them.

"There you are," Mom says. "Made it just in time. We were about to order without you."

"Sorry, had a couple of commitments at work."

"It's fine! So . . . do we want to tell him now?" Mom asks, almost encouraging Dad to spill whatever secret there is."

"Yes."

Dad turns to me, his blue eyes filled with sparkle.

"Now, son, I know that you're bent on dating that girl you took to Bermuda, but . . . I spoke with Devin, and he said Lily's looking for a boyfriend!"

I purse my lips. I know Lily. Lily doesn't find men attractive in the least. I shake my head, refusing to believe his words.

"That's nice, Dad, but I'm not interested. And is this truly what you are so excited about that you summoned me to dinner?" I ask exasperatedly. Is that actually all they called me here to tell me?

Dad frowns. I know that's the last thing he wants to hear. Then again, it's not like I am technically dating someone.

"But Robert, I thought that—"

"I appreciate it, but I don't want to date her. She's a nice girl, but it's impossible for us to be together," I admit.

I know why they're doing this. Lily's father, Devin Searcy, is one of the owners of a large travel and trade business. Our family net worth would increase by millions if I married her.

I can't, however.

Lily's not into men. She likes women, and exclusively women. How do I know this? Well, when I was young and stupid, I asked her out. She dropped that bomb on me almost immediately.

I don't blame her for shooting me down, and at first, it did hurt my pride. But I'd rather she hurt my pride now than lead me on for something that wouldn't even matter in the future.

Father sighs, shaking his head. "What, is there another girl now?"

"Yes, there is," I challenge.

The server comes by, taking our orders. He interrupts the inevitable. After he disappears, Dad glares at me, disappointed, and actually says: "Robert, I thought we both made it clear that we don't like her."

"Yes, you should be with someone a bit older, more refined," Mom interjects, "and not that girl."

I bite my tongue, knowing that they won't let this go until I tell them the truth.

"Yes, it's Sara. And it's painfully obvious to both me and Sara how you feel about her."

My father sips his wine, avoiding eye contact. He puts the glass down and folds his hands.

"Son, I get it. You're getting older, but she's not the right one for you."

"And why do you say that? And what do you know about my emotions and my needs?" I ask pointedly. How could my father know anything about what's right and what's wrong for me?

"Because she's so much younger than you! At least a decade or so. She doesn't have her life together and—"

"She does, Mother," I correct. "In fact, she's got her life more together than most others do."

My parents listen to my words, their expressions remaining neutral. I figure this isn't what they want to hear, but I'm not going to sit around and allow them to slander Sara like this.

The server comes back with some rolls, interrupting the tension for but a few moments. Dad takes one of the bread pieces and eats it.

"Robert, she's so young. How can you know for sure that she's the one?"

"Because Dad, she's got dreams and goals. She isn't just trying to chase wealth and marry for convenience like others," I retort.

Father sneers, and mother clears her throat.

"But what if it doesn't work out for her? She doesn't have the grounded life that you do and—"

"Nobody normally does. You want to keep everything in your little clique instead of letting me branch out," I snap, glaring at both of them. "And I don't think that's right."

Mom and Dad don't say a word. In fact, I think they're too stunned to form words. Our food shows up, and they pick at it. Dad looks over at me, sighing.

"There is something else we want to tell you."

"Let me guess, another girl wants me?"

"No, we're moving to Bermuda. Your aunt and I are going to work on the land out there and grow the farms."

"That's good," I reply coldly, picking at the fish I ordered. I avert my eyes, refusing to make eye contact with either of them. They clearly think I'm nothing more than some idiot who can't properly decide for himself.

I sigh, annoyed, and my fork clangs as I put it down. I look up.

"Mom, Dad, I get this isn't what you want, but Sara isn't too young. I know her dreams, and they're different, unique even. She's wonderful, and I realize that she means a lot to me."

I know I've screwed this up, but the words ring true. Mom nods, and Dad puts his silverware down. The din of the restaurant is almost enough to mask his words.

"Are you happy, Robert? If you go through with this choice and date her, even marry her, will you be content?"

I know my answer to that. It's something that's been ringing true for a while, but I was too much of an idiot to realize this. I nod, smiling.

"Yes, Dad. Sara's perfect, and I love her."

I leave and as I get back to my car, the regret settles in. I sit there, taking a deep breath as I clench the wheel.

I screwed up, but the truth is right here.

I love Sara, and I want to make this right.

"Is it possible?" says my broken heart to my tortured mind.