Page 25 of The Blackmail of Denise Randall

“Not really.”

“Hmm.”

I stand taller, not appreciating her tone. Keaton gently eases me away from the bar. “Don’t you need to get back to the party,” he whispers.

“It was nice meeting you. Good seeing you again, Doctor.”

Roland nods. “Glad to see you’re feeling better, Denise.”

Amira nods. “I’ll see you again soon, Dear.”

As we walk away, Keaton hisses in my ear, “Have you lost your mind? He’s married and twice your age.”

“How old is he?”

“He’s like almost forty. You’re twenty.”

“Maybe I like older men.”

“I’m older. He’s old enough to be your father.”

“Maybe I want him to be my daddy.”

Keaton stops walking. “Are you being serious right now?” He drops his arm from around me to place his hands on his narrow hips. “He shouldn’t have even bought you a drink.”

“You’re one to judge. At least he isn’t trying to blackmail me.”

“No, I’m worried he’s up to something worse.”

“I’m not yours to worry about.”

“Yet.” He opens the door that enters back into the dining room. I hear the soft laughter then someone calls out my name. I give Keaton a final hard glare and then plaster my smile on as I enter the rose gold and beige decorated room.

I go take my place next to Alice, and the shower begins. The servers begin to bring out the meal, and once the plates are cleared, Alice takes her designated seat in the front of the room. Rachel hands her gifts to open one by one, and I take notes for her thank you cards. The entire time my mind is still on the charismatic Doctor Roland Hall.

The guests begin to leave. The doors to exit the dining room are propped open, including the ones to the bar. I try to sneak glances as I begin gathering up the decorations we brought.

“It was good to meet Melissa’s other daughter.” I jump at the sound of Amira’s silky voice.

“Oh, thank you.”

“Denise,” Mom says, “Did you meet Doctor Amira Hall?”

Amira’s chuckle sounds like windchimes. “Melissa, really, no need for the formalities. Yes, we met earlier. Denise was speaking with Roland in the bar.”

“Is everything okay, Sweetheart? Are you having any more pain?” Mom immediately goes on high alert.

“No. I went in there…because Trent was there. Then I ran into Doctor Hall.”

Amira holds my stare for a few seconds longer and then smiles. “Well, it was a lovely shower, ladies. Melissa, I’ll see you next week for lunch?”

“Of course. Did you get a slice of cake for Roland and the twins?”

Twins? He has children as well. I watch Mom and Amira walk away and then go back to picking up the elegant vases with roses from Mom’s own backyard. Mom has been collecting vintage vases for years. They were perfect for today, especially with her pink roses. She only had to order baby’s breath from the florist.

“You might want to avoid Doctor Hall, Dear.”

I look up to find myself alone in the dining room with only the servers, who are cleaning up, and Kamila Jamerson. “Don’t look so frightened. It’s the other Doctor Hall you should watch for. Amira is a very dangerous woman, and she’s not stupid. I saw you getting friendly with her husband. Makes sense now why he was so eager to suggest Isabelle being sent to a facility so far away from home. I don’t know why you’d care if she’s home since you’re never here.” She gives me a smile that sends chills up my spine. “Unless…now you’re planning to be home more?”

My lips press into a thin line and she laughs. “Oh bless your heart. Denise, I’ve known you since you were a little girl. Despite yours and Isabelle’s falling out, and…everything else that has happened between our families, I still care about you. I can tell you now, an affair with a married man will bring you nothing but grief and trouble. He’s not going to leave his wife. And she’s not going to let him go without a fight. A woman like her would chew you both up and spit you out.”

“Nothing is happening.”

“See to it that it doesn’t.”

As she walks away, I go to my purse and pull out my phone, needing to make a call.

---