Page 37 of A Little Moore Action
I lean back, blowing out a breath. “I don’t know. A secret like that coming from the heiress of a shopping magnate…” I look at Chase, smiling. “Does your father know about this?”
The levity I’d been going for falls flat as their smiles disappear. I could kick myself for forgetting that their father is actually a world-class dick.
I’m about to apologize when Liz quickly rebounds with a laugh. “Nothing to worry about. My lackluster shopping skills are just a drop in the bucket for paternal disappointments.”
I laugh with her, but just like hers, it’s forced.
“Speaking of, I’m pretty sure Stan cooled down a bit when he saw the recent numbers,” Liz tells Chase. “Maybe you’ll be saved from a face-to-face with Daddy after all.”
“Another one?” I suppress a shudder. I don’t know how Chase can deal with that man, father or not. “How often does he come to the store?”
“What do you mean,another one?” Liz shoots her brother a look. “You mean Bell was there when he stormed the store a week or two ago?” She pouts and punches him lightly on the arm. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Once again, I’ve put my expensively booted foot in it.
Chase lets out a long-suffering breath.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you,” I say to Liz before Chase can answer. “Your father just…introduced himself, is all.”
Before Liz can do more than roll her eyes, Chase butts in. “Don’t worry about it, Lizzy. Focus on your degree.”
She slaps his shoulder. “Ugh, don’t call me Lizzy.”
They continue squawking at each other in that familiar, loving way I’ve always imagined siblings having. It’s obvious how much he cares for his sister. One more layer to Chase I find attractive.
And now that the downturn of the conversation after I’d brought up Stan has passed, I should quit before I step in the metaphorical cow patty again.
Clearing my throat, I grab their attention. “Thanks so much for the drinks,” I say to Chase. “And for the lovely company,” I direct at Liz. My chair scrapes over the wood floor as I rise. “But I should be off.”
Chase jumps up. “I’ll take you back to the hotel.”
I open my mouth to argue, since his suggestion has danger written all over it, but Liz beats me to it. “Great! That actually makes me feel better,” she says, also standing. “I’m meeting a friend here in about five minutes, and I didn’t want to be rude.” She gathers her large sack purse from the back of the chair. “You two go on. I’ll just wait for my friend at the bar.”
A weird, nonverbal communication happens between Chase and Liz. I stand there awkwardly in my boots trying to think of a way out of the ride. Nothing comes to mind.
I’m not sure if my lack of ideas stems from my brain freezing on me or from my subconscious wanting to find out if Chase gives as good a car ride as he does elevator rides.
My subconscious is a slut.
THIRTEEN
Chase
My sistertruly does deserve a pony. I know Liz isn’t meeting any of her friends. But she took one for team Chase. The look she sent me basically told me I owe her. Again.
A stab of panic hits me when I think of what’s at stake for Liz if I somehow screw up at Moore’s.
But I won’t. I can’t.
“So great meeting you, Bell.” Liz steps forward and hugs Campbell. When she steps back, my sister looks slyly at me before saying to Campbell, “Don’t let my brother get away with any crap.” Then she blows me a kiss and walks to the bar, a bounce in her step.
“Your sister is kind of cool,” Campbell says, still looking after Liz’s retreat.
“You have no idea.” I rub my chest, trying to ease the panic.
“She must take after your mother.”
I burst out laughing, the panic leaving and only humor remaining. Stan may consider Campbell a pathway toward failure, but obviously his opinion is just as outdated as he is.
