Page 48 of Dirty Secret

"I was hoping you would forget that part." She began to laugh but it soon died. "I ran from my party before my father could announce anything. I remember I saw a line forming to get into a club, so I stood there. I had no idea it was a strip club until I stepped inside. A bachelorette party found out it was my twenty-first birthday and made me drink a lot. I don't remember much about that night, but I do recall being driven in a limo for a long time and holding some guy's hand while he said 'I do.' And, I remember laughing a lot. I wasn't laughing the next day when my father found out, and my head felt like it was going to fall off."

Stunned, I stood there staring at the nervous woman I had fallen for over the past six weeks.

"Wow. That was the best story I have ever heard."

Heidi's head jerked back. "What?"

"Seriously, Heidi, if you wanted to get back at your dad, what you did was perfect. I love you and think you're perfect the way you are, but as of right now, I am prouder than I've ever been. You should be running back and telling that hack journalist all the little details of your marriage."

"But . . . I thought you would be embarrassed. I did something so irresponsible and put my family at risk."

I nodded. "Yes, you did. I won't lie. You had no idea what that guy was like. He could have been a rapist or a killer, but you needed to break free from your father's control. I wish you did more of that. I wish you had brought me as your date tonight, not Felipe. You need to always stand up to your father."

Her hand lifted to my cheek. "I wish I had, too. Maybe my marriage wasn't the biggest mistake of my life. I think not taking you as my date tonight, walking hand in hand with the most incredible man here, was the bigger mistake."

My heart ached in the best way.

I lowered my head, ready to kiss the woman I loved when we heard yelling come from the kitchen. The double doors swung open as someone raced out completely soaked.

"What's going on?" Heidi asked the woman in the wet button-up shirt and bowtie.

She pointed back at the kitchen. "There's a huge leak. The chef is freaking out."

Heidi placed her hand on my arm. "It's time to activate your superpowers, Max. Do you have your tools in your truck?"

"Yes, I always have them with me."

She smirked. "You know what you must do."

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