“Well, just let me know when you’re available, and I’ll clear my schedule,” she said.
“Your Aunt Judith said that you might have a date to bring along to the dinner.”
Stunned, she jerked, her mind racing as she tried to imagine where she and Rory had been that her stuffy Aunt Judith would have seen them. “Um…”
“He’s quite the catch, Sandra. I didn’t think you acted like you cared for him much, but with his portfolio, he’s very up-and-coming.”
Blinking, she stared at her sunflowers, trying to discern who her father was talking about. Before she had a chance to ask, he continued.
“Anthony’s father has given him a lot of responsibility with that new building. I put the bug in their ear that they should consider you for the interior designer. Glad to see they took my advice.”
Her face grew hot, and she wondered if it was possible to explode from an overload of irritation. “I can’t believe you told the Partridges to hire me! Dad, how will I ever be taken seriously in this business if you stick your nose in where it’s not wanted?”
“Now, hold on, Sandra. I only mentioned to them that you were an interior designer. I didn’t tell them to hire you. They did that on their own. Anyway, it seems like it finally brought you and Anthony together.”
If her head had not exploded yet, she was sure if the conversation with her father continued, it might. “Dad, I’m not dating Anthony. If Aunt Judith saw me, it was because we had a working luncheon. I’m not interested in Anthony, but I am dating someone else. So, if Martha wants to extend the invitation to him as well, that’s fine. If not, then I’ll work a visit to see you two when I can. But for now, I need to get back to work. Love you, Dad. Goodbye.”
She was not surprised that five minutes later her phone rang again. This time the caller ID let her know her stepmother had been filled in by her dad. She sighed heavily, although she knew that Martha would be much more receptive to her dating news.
“Hi, Martha. Before you try to subtly find out what’s going on, I’ll give you the scoop. Yes, I’m dating someone. No, he doesn’t belong to the same country club that Dad does. In fact, he doesn’t belong to any country club. Yes, he’s wonderful. No, he doesn’t work in business. He’s a paramedic. And yes, I really, really, really like him.”
Laughter burst forth through the phone, and she relaxed, hearing Martha’s appreciation of her rendition. “Oh, Sandy, I can’t wait to meet him.”
“Look, Martha, I don’t mind bringing him to dinner, but I’m not going to have Dad grill him about his family, or his bank account, or his portfolio, or his career. So, either Dad—”
“I’ll talk to your father. Honestly, Sandy, it’ll be fine. Your dad just wants you to be happy.”
“Okay, then let me know when you want us to come. But I’m warning you, Martha, if Dad doesn’t behave himself, we’ll skedaddle out of there. I don’t care what Grandmother taught me about a lady always staying through the whole meal.”
“Oh, sweetie, I only wish your dad and I had met earlier! By the time I got to be your mother, your grandmother had filled your head with so many old-fashioned rules, and I felt like for the few years I had with you before you went to college, I was doing nothing but trying to undo all that she did!”
“Well, I wish you and Dad had met earlier, too. But just because I would’ve had you in my life longer.”
She heard the quick intake of breath from Martha. “Oh, honey, you’re going to have me crying. Now, I can’t wait to meet your man, so I’ll text you dates and we’ll get this set up very soon.”
Disconnecting, she smiled, her gaze drifting back to the sunflowers on her desk. She couldn’t imagine that it would be difficult to have dinner with Rory’s family sometime since she’d already met them all at Sean and Harper’s wedding. But thinking about dinner with her dad had her worrying her bottom lip.
After a quick knock on her door, it opened, and Todd popped his head through. “Are you heading to Partridge Tower this afternoon? Barbara said she was meeting a client there, and I thought you might want to go as well.”
She jumped up and grabbed her coat and bags. “That sounds perfect. It’ll give me a chance to check on things and see how the offices we designed are progressing.” Heading out the door, she fired off another text to Rory.
Get ready for dinner with my parents.
Receiving a wide-eyed emoji in return made her laugh as she slid behind the wheel of her SUV.
Stepping off the elevator, she walked around the sixth floor of Partridge Tower. There was now a wide, tiled space directly in front of the elevators that extended to the windows in front, showing off the Hope City skyline and harbor. Turning to the left, there was a hall leading to three separate business office spaces. One for an attorney’s group would be quite large with individual offices for four attorneys and their various employees as well as conference rooms, workrooms, bathrooms, and a kitchenette. She walked through the area, the interior walls, windows, and doors in place. The carpet and tile were scheduled to be installed tomorrow. Clicking items off her tablet, she breathed a sigh of relief that everything was perfect.
Checking through the other two smaller offices, she was equally pleased. Barbara had finished ordering the décor for one of them and they conferred by the
