Secrets Part Four - Talking
And she was dating a chia pet. What could she possibly know?
"Dr. Stark?" Zoë asked tentatively, entering his office.
"Ms. Carter," he greeted, not looking up from his computer and not in any particular mood to deal with a certain sheriff's daughter.
"I was wondering if I could talk to you."
"About?" he asked.
"My dad."
"Because he's one of my favorite subjects." He was unable to keep the sarcasm to himself.
Zoë smiled slightly. "Look, I know you guys don't see eye to eye on some things – most things – well… everything. But… could you stop working on… whatever you're working on. I'd kinda like your undivided attention."
"Such a big word coming from a Carter," he said, but saved what he was doing and gave her his full attention.
"While normally I would have a snappy comeback for that… I'm kind of in a rush and I know you're busy."
"And yet, you feel it necessary to point this out," she said, more to himself than anything.
"You're making a mistake," she said.
"Excuse me."
"Marrying her. You're making a mistake."
"Oh this is wonderful," he muttered sarcastically. "I'm getting relationship advice from a fifteen year old."
"I'm seventeen," she pointed out.
As if that made it any better. Not only was she a kid, she was the sheriff's kid. And she was dating a chia pet. What could she possibly know?
Oh jeez, he was starting to sound like Carter.
"How does that make a difference?" he asked after his internal monologue.
"I suppose it doesn't. Look, maybe I don't understand particle physics, which, by the way, I'm working on. And maybe half the crap that happens in this town confuses the shit out of me. But I do know what I'm talking about."
Nathan's curiosity got the better of him. He crossed his arms and leaned way back in his chair. "I'll bite."
"I know what goes on. I know that you bicker and you fight and you arguer incessantly. And maybe in the beginning it was because you hated each other. Because you thought he was trying to take Allison from you. But somewhere along the line you must have noticed that things changed. Your banter isn't fueled by hate and jealousy. It hasn't been for a long time. Maybe it never was."
Nathan blinked, nearly falling out of his chair. He had not been expecting the words that came out of the child's mouth.
"I think you should leave," he said, regaining his composure.
Zoë ignored him.
"You don't see what this is doing. Or maybe you do and you just have the facts mixed up. He doesn't have her for choosing you. He hates you for choosing her."
"You don't know what you're talking about."
"Hey, there are two things in this world I know better than anyone else. The exact ration of cheddar to Swiss to make perfect macaroni and cheese casserole and Jack Carter. And I know that this engagement is killing him."
"I really think you should leave," he said again, rising to his feet to escort her out.
"Okay," she nodded. "But think about what I said."
Ignoring her, he shoved her out of the office and shut the door before she could say anything more.
She didn't know anything.
Macaroni and cheese casserole sounded really good.