Matchplay by Dakota Madison Page B

knew about them, I didn’t know how I felt about that tidbit of information. Did that mean that he condoned or even supported The Tournament? I got a bit of a knot in my stomach.
    “What can I get the two of you to drink?” he asked.
    “Water would be fine,” my dad said.
    “Me, too,” I said.
    “Two waters coming up,” Aaron said as he headed away.
    I breathed a little sigh of relief. The pressure of being here, with my dad, and having Aaron and my dad together was getting to me.
    “This is awkward,” my dad admitted. He was never one to hold back on the truth of a situation.
    “I’m sorry.” 
    “Aaron seems to really like you,” my dad said with a genuine smile.
    “Thanks.”
    Aaron returned with two glasses of ice water. He handed one to each of us. “I hope the two of you will make yourself at home. Help yourselves to the food. There’s enough to feed a small country.”
    “Looks tempting,” my dad said even though he wasn’t much of an eater. I knew he probably wouldn’t even try any of it.
    Aaron looked at me. “I made sure to get plenty of dumplings. Shrimp and shiitake mushroom.”
    I grinned. “That was very thoughtful. Thanks.”
    Aaron looked at my dad. “Rainy tells me you’re an engineer.”
    My dad nodded. “Twenty years in the business.”
    Aaron nodded. He probably didn’t know the first thing about engineering. I felt kind of sorry for him. My dad rescued him with, “ And what are you studying?’
    “Finance,” Aaron answered.
    “And what do you plan to do when you graduate?”
    I neglected to mention that Aaron’s dad was one of the Donovan Brothers.
    “My dad expects me to go into the family business,” Aaron said politely.
    I wasn’t sure if I should change the subject or let all the cards fall on the table. I knew my dad was too inquisitive to let Aaron’s vague response slide.
    “What business is that?” my dad asked.
    Aaron sighed. “Donovan Brothers Industries.”
    I looked at my dad and watched as it registered on his face. Aaron’s dad was one of the wealthiest men in the country. I waited for my dad to say something but he didn’t respond. He just took a sip of his water.
    Aaron leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Then he whispered, “I’ll talk to you later, Sunshine.”
    Aaron extended a hand to my dad. “I have some business I have to attend to but it was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Dey. Please help yourselves to the food and enjoy the party.”
    Then Aaron looked at me. His eyes held so much tenderness. “Thank you for bringing your dad, Rainy. It means a lot to me.”
    Before I could respond, Aaron turned and walked away.
    “Dumplings, huh?” my dad quipped. I gave him a playful swat on the arm. “Let’s get out of here. I’ll walk you back to the dorm.”
    My dad could always tell exactly how I was feeling. And getting out of The Clubhouse was exactly what I wanted to do.
    I breathed a sigh of relief as my dad and I walked through campus. The air was crisp but the weather was still moderate enough for a leisurely stroll.
    I was afraid to ask what my dad thought of Aaron. Of course, I still wasn’t sure exactly what I thought of Aaron either, even though I had very strong feelings for him.
    My dad seemed to sense what was on my mind though.  “Donovan Brothers.” He whistled. “I didn’t see that coming.”
    “I know, right . It’s weird.”
    “Aaron has serious feelings for you .” 
    “And how do you know that?”
    “I’m a guy. I can tell these things.”
    I still had my doubts about Aaron’s intentions.
    My dad continued. “The way he looked at you when he saw you. He completely lit up. It’s the same way I felt about your mother.”
    I felt some tears begin to fall down my face. I still cried som etimes when I thought about my mom. I couldn’t imagine how my dad felt losing the woman he loved so deeply.
    My dad continued. “I can tell you have some doubts about Aaron. Does it have something to do with why you