Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
DARCY: I’m taking the day off. Want to do some shopping with me?
She sent a quick response while her dad spoke with the server, telling her friend she was actually in the city, not far from Darcy’s apartment.
DARCY: Oh nice! Stay put. I’ll come meet you there.
“Ready to go, sweetheart? I can get my driver to drop you back at the Ritz.”
“No need, but thank you. Darcy just texted. She’s coming to meet me. We’re going shopping.”
“All right, then.”
He didn’t give her a hug goodbye, but leaned in to squeeze her arm and plant a kiss on the top of her head.
After he was gone, she ordered yet another coffee, resigning herself to being wired for the rest of the day and not sleeping a wink later tonight. Darcy arrived at the restaurant shortly after, greeting Hayden with a grin as she slid into Presley’s vacant seat.
“Damn, you got here fast,” Hayden remarked.
“I was already dressed and ready to go when I texted you.” Darcy smoothed out her red hair and tossed it over her shoulder.
“Why’d you take the day off?”
“I got in super late last night.”
“Hot date?”
“Hot fuck.”
Hayden almost snorted out her coffee. “Sorry, my mistake.”
Her friend’s blue eyes danced impishly. “Apology accepted. And don’t worry, I’ll tell you all about him while I drag you into every dress boutique on this block. I’m seeing him again tonight.”
Hayden’s jaw dropped. “What? A repeat performance?”
“Yup.”
“He was that good in bed?”
“Yup.”
“Are you going to marry him?” Hayden asked hopefully.
“Nope.” Grinning again, Darcy pushed the chair and started to rise. “Come on, let’s go. I want to find a really slutty dress for tonight.” As she stood, she picked up the half-full water glass Hayden’s father had left behind. “I’m parched. Mind if I chug the rest of this water?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
Darcy lifted the glass to her lips and took a deep swig.
A second later she started coughing wildly, eyes widening as she spit the water out, getting it all over her shirt.
“What the fuck!”
The outburst drew the attention of several other patrons, and Hayden quickly shot them an apologetic look.
“What’s wrong?” Hayden asked her friend.
Darcy grimaced, wiping her mouth. “That’s not water, babe. It’s vodka.”
Hayden stared at the glass in disbelief. “Seriously?”
She snatched the glass out of Darcy’s hand and took a tentative sip. Sure enough, the sharp taste of alcohol burned her tongue.
What the fuck was right.
Her father had been pretending to drink water when he was consuming pure vodka? At eight thirty in the morning?
And he was trying to tell her he didn’t have a problem?
“Darce,” she said, as a queasy sensation churned in her stomach.
“Yeah?”
“Do you mind if I bail on the dress shopping?” Hayden bit her lip. “I need to go and talk to my stepmother.”
Twenty-Three
An hour later, Hayden was standing outside the lavish ten-bedroom home her father had bought for Sheila. It was only a few blocks from the Gallagher Club, in the heart of one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Chicago.
After what happened at the restaurant, there was no way Hayden could ignore Sheila’s accusations anymore. Although a part of her still didn’t fully trust her stepmother, she knew this conversation was long overdue. And if she had more information, maybe she could find a way to help her dad.
Because if his recent behavior was any indication, her father definitely needed some help.
Sheila answered the door wearing sweats, her expression clearly conveying her surprise at seeing her soon-to-be ex-stepdaughter standing on the pillared doorstep. Hayden had called ahead, but Sheila still seemed startled to find her there.
“Hayden, hi. I…uh… I’m still confused by your call. What’s this about?”
Hayden fumbled awkwardly with the strap of her leather purse. “Like I said, I think we should talk.”
With a nod, Sheila opened the door wider so Hayden could step inside. The enormous front parlor, with its sparkling crystal chandelier, was as intimidating as it had been the first time she’d seen it. The white walls were devoid of artwork, a sight that made her frown. She’d encouraged her father to pick up pieces at auctions she’d recommended, but it looked as if he hadn’t bothered.
“So what’s on your mind?” Sheila asked after they’d entered the living room.
Hayden sat on one of the fluffy teal love seats, waited for Sheila to sink down on the matching sofa, then cleared her throat. “I want you to tell me about my father’s drinking.”
Her stepmother raked one delicate hand through her blond hair, then clasped her hands together in her lap. “What do you want to know?”
“When did he start?”
“Last year, about the same time the pharmaceutical company he’d invested in went bankrupt. He lost a lot of money, tried to recoup it by making more investments and lost that, too.”
Sheila spoke in a steady, confident voice. It didn’t sound like she was lying, and Hayden fought back a wave of guilt as she realized that if this were true, she’d had absolutely no idea any of it had been going on. Her father always sounded so jovial on the phone, as if he had no cares in the world.