I know kids grow up and lose childhood habits, but this is all too fast. She is only thirteen, for fuck’s sake.
“I got you a strawberry slush.” I hold the plastic cup between us.
“Thanks,” she mumbles, taking the drink.
I follow her into her room and am once again shocked with how much she has changed everything. It’s no longer pink, as her mother and I’d painted it once, but the walls are covered with wallpaper of varied shades of blue and purple. My throat tightens every time I see it.
All the baby pictures of her with Melanie are swapped with boy-band posters or cities across the globe she plans to visit. Though, there’s still one photograph of the two of us by her nightstand, I’m not holding my breath. Any day she might throw this one out too.
“You need something, Dad?” Mere huffs from her bed where she is slurping the drink. “I need to get back to homework.”
“Did you have any tests? You are doing well at school, right?”
“All’s good at school, Dad.” She hops from her bed to the study desk. “I have a test next week.” She’s already turned away from me, head buried in the books.
“Should we order something special, maybe from that fancy French place you like, where they serve too-small portions at exorbitant prices?” I try to cheer her mood, hoping to see her smile, which is becoming a rarity with each passing day.
“Dad—”
The ring of the doorbell interrupts her.
I get out of Mere’s bedroom, with her hot on my heels. I cock my head to the side, asking her to stay behind me. We rarely have unannounced guests.
I’m surprised to see Oscar Hawthorne on my doorstep with Lukas.
“Uncle Luke!” Mere waves to my friend and gives a shy smile to Oscar.
“Hello, Miss Mere. How are you doing?” Lukas hands my daughter a bouquet of sunflowers.
“Thank you so much.” She giggles in excitement, bringing the bouquet closer to her nose. “You are the only person who gets me flowers.”
I’m fucking indebted to Luke for bringing a smile to my daughter’s face.
“I hope you don’t mind me intruding. I’m in St. Peppers for a day and Luke said it would be fun to have dinner together.” Oscar lifts paper bags from Tiki’s.
I had wished for some nice alone time with Mere, but Oscar is a friend and last month his family’s security helped my team with some great intel in Cherrywood. If not for his support, a young boy would not be safely tucked in his bed tonight. So, I kind of owe the guy.
“No, no intrusion at all. I always welcome people bringing food. Come on in.” I open the door wide, letting my guests walk inside.
“Oscar, meet my daughter, Merida. Mere, this is my friend Oscar Hawthorne.” I do the introductions as Oscar takes a seat on the couch while Mere helps Lukas and me, arranging the dinner on the coffee table.
The plastic fork drops from her hand onto the table. “Like…the real Hawthorne…from Cherrywood?” Her eyes are bright and shining with excitement.
Oscar chuckles before he gently nods.
“So, you in town on a business trip?” I ask him, before taking a bite of the burger.
A frown appears on his face. “No, it’s personal this time.” There’s no missing the irritation in his voice. “I’m searching for a place for my sister…to rent.”
“I don’t understand.” Oscar’s family can buy half of St. Peppers if they want to.
“She has decided to”—he pauses, pinching his lips together—“try her own thing.” The way he makes air quotes, I’m guessing he’s not overly pleased with the idea.
“Any luck?”
He shakes his head. “I’m looking for some safe, gated community, possibly surrounded by families. But Clementine has given strict instructions to not disclose her identity. That makes it tough. No one wants to take in a single woman with no clear ID and proof of income.”
“What about our loft, Dad?” Merida chooses this moment to butt in. “I was talking to Grandma last week and she suggested it would be good for me to have some company.”