Page 41 of Cause and Effect

The pitter-patter of their feet hitting the stairs could be heard throughout the neighborhood.

“Now, tell me why you’re here,” Laurel said, walking into the kitchen.

She opened the refrigerator and grabbed two bottles of beer.

“Thanks.” I smiled. “Liza called me.”

“About what?” Her brows furrowed. “Let’s go sit on the patio.”

“First, there was a charge for two hotel rooms the night of Derek’s murder on Georgina’s credit card. Second, theyfound an offshore account with ten million dollars in her name.”

“What? Are you serious?”

“That’s what Liza said.” I sighed, tipping the bottle to my lips.

“Fuck. This just keeps getting worse,” Laurel spoke.

“After my golf game tomorrow, I’m heading over to her house to talk to her.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“Nah, it’s fine. I can handle it.”

“We’re going over to Roman’s anyway. I can ask Morgan if she can keep an eye on the girls, and we can go together,” she said.

“Why are you going to Roman’s tomorrow?” The crease between my eyes deepened.

“He and Morgan invited the girls and me for a barbecue. I told Roman about how I was taking the girls to the beach tomorrow, and he told me there’s plenty of beach and great food at his house.”

“Oh.” I stared at her.

“Is that a problem for you?” she asked.

“No. Why would it be? The girls will have fun there.” I leaned over, reached up, and took a piece of lint from her hair. “You had something in your hair.” I smiled.

“Thanks.” The pink in her cheeks heightened.

The sliding door opened, and the three girls stepped onto the patio.

“Will you dance with us, Julian?” Stella asked, pressing play on the remote.

When the song “Cry to Me” started playing, all three girls grabbed my hands and pulled me from my chair.

“I don’t dance, girls.”

“Oh, come on,” Sophie said. “Everyone dances.”

“Only if your mom dances with us.” I looked at Laurel and winked.

“Why not.” She grinned, standing from her chair.

The five of us moved to the rhythm of the music. Grabbing Laurel’s hand, I spun her around and pulled her into me. Our eyes locked on each other, and I felt this uncontrollable need to kiss her, but I didn’t—not in front of her daughters.

When the song ended, Laurel instructed the girls to get up to bed.

“I’ll be up to tuck you in soon,” she told them.

“Good night, Julian.” All three girls giggled.

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