Page 6 of Promised to the Cowboy
My phone buzzes on the table, making me jump.
Father.
God knows why I still have him saved like that. He stopped being my father years ago. Biology’s the only thing we still share.
For a second, I just stare at the screen, and my heart reacts stupidly. A small beat of hopeful.
It’s ridiculous. I know it is. It’s been months since I heard from him. Months since the last terse text from his assistant asking if I’d be attending some charity gala because my father required “family representation.” Months of silence after I said no.
Maybe…
Maybe this time?—
I answer before I can talk myself out of it. “Hello?”
“Where are you?”
The tiny flicker inside me goes out.
He doesn’t say,Hello, Evangeline. How are you? It’s been a while.
Just…
Where are you?
“I’m fine, thanks for asking.” The sarcasm rolls off my tongue. “What do you want?”
A pause. “Show a little respect. I’m your father, Evangeline.”
“Biologically.”
Silence.
“What do you want?” I repeat.
“There’s a charity dinner next Friday.”
“I’ve already committed to something else.”
“You’ll cancel it.”
Another instruction. I grind my teeth. “No.”
“I need you present.”
“For the optics?”
“For the board. The donors.”
“I’m not interested.”
“Where are you?”
“Around.”
He pauses long enough that I wonder if he’s hung up.
“You’re behaving exactly like your mother.”
