page11 (1/2)

Luckily, Bishop’s right hand is free and he takes my dad’s for a quick shake

“Well, come on in,” he says as he moves backward into the foyer Bishop releasesa hand to my lower back so I can precede hiood manners

Dad leads us into the living room, where he has a small service bar set up in an alcove that separates it from the kitchen He takes our orders, mixes drinks, and hands theht bourbon and I opt for a glass of white wine

“Solances into the kitchen

“Chicken marsala,” my father replies

“Dad loves to cook,” I provide, internally cringing over the squeak in ht “In fact, why don’t you two sit down at the table and I’ll serve?”

Iit froe not to drop those when e how the two of you met in a city of millions”

My eyes snap briefly to Bishop, who doesn’t even look bothered He ht?”

I set the plates down next to the stove, where reen beans I go for a light laugh, but it sounds strained “Daddy doesn’t understand how popular Club Zero is in the city If he did, he wouldn’t think twice about us stu upon each other there”

Bishop nods and rolls with it “Well, it was hard not to notice you in that crowd”

That would be so sweet if it were true and not said under duress I quickly fill up two plates, grab so the food down in front ofadjacent to each other, et it You two don’t look like you’re in love And I knohat love looks like I had it for thirty-three years”

Right then, my heart crumples in on itself My dad’s voice is low andbullshit on us He said that because he does know love, and I suppose e’ve built as a quickly developed relationship looks nothing like what he had with reatly