“I’m not a child, you know.” Not that I drink much. It messes with my already poor balance if I do, but I’d like the option.

“You could be carrying my baby inside you. You won’t be allowed alcohol, Ivy.”

“Your baby? I hardly think you’re that potent.” He makes a face, and I think he’s about to say something rude so I continue before he can. “And again, I’m not a child. I can decide for myself, and if I were pregnant, which I’m not, I, of course, wouldn’t have a drink.”

“It’s one of your rules. No alcohol. Period. There will not be a discussion.” He picks up his knife and fork and starts to cut into his meat like this is a remotely normal conversation.

I shake my head but drop it. I honestly would only have taken a sip anyway, but it’s the principle. I stab a bite of meat and put it into my mouth. It’s even more delicious than it smells. We eat in silence for a moment, and I watch him, wondering if he feels any discomfort in the silence. I get the feeling he doesn’t.

“She only let me see my dad for fifteen minutes,” I finally blurt out.

He pauses, but I can’t quite read his expression.

“Was that your doing? Because I can tell you that having to endure a spa day with your sister is not worth fifteen minutes. I want to see him again. For longer. And I want to see my sister.”

He smiles, studies me, then shakes his head and returns his focus to his plate.

“I mean it, Santiago. This wasn’t fair, and you know it.”

He puts his fork and knife down and wipes his mouth. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were purposely trying to push my buttons.”

“I’m not. I just wanted to see my dad. We had a deal.”

“A little bit of respect will go a long way. I realize you’re quite young, and your upbringing leaves much to be desired, but I thought you’d understood that at least.”

“You want me to ask you for permission? Is that it? Do you get off on that?”

“That’s one.”

“One what?”

“One strike. And I’m being generous. You have two left so take care.”

I open my mouth to tell him where he can shove his strike but think better of it and stuff a potato in while I think. I have a pretty good idea where strikes two and three will lead me.

“Mercedes mentioned the masquerade ball at IVI?” he asks.