Page 33 of Close Match
“And with that, take your sister off the speaker. I found a doctor in South America who might be willing to chip…”
“We are not putting a chip in our child.” Bristol’s voice is firm.
Simon’s sigh in the background is his only response.
“Well, I’m down to two outfits.” Though I brought eight for an overnight stay.
“Tell me about them,” Bristol encourages. I start talking. Soon we’re arguing the benefits of what I should wear the first time I meet my father.
We don’t get off the phone for another hour, an hour where for now everything’s going to be just fine.
It isn’t until later when I’m left alone with my thoughts the worry comes rushing back.
* * *
Since I’ve eatenat Georgia Browns before, I know the dress at lunchtime is usually business suits since it’s so close to the White House. Bristol convinced me last night not to wear the suit from St. John and instead to flaunt my natural style. The trendy skinny jeans I’m wearing have just enough detailed stitching to be dressy. They’re paired with a simple violet-red silk tee.
On top of that, I shove my arms into a hip-length leather jacket that’s soft enough for me to scrunch up the sleeves. Adding more height to my already long legs, I’ve paired the look with a pair of leather boots. Finishing the look, I slip on a Tiffany bone cuff and diamond studs.
Grabbing my phone off the charger, I stride over to the full-length mirror and take a picture before texting to Bristol.Well, I’m as ready as I’m going to be. Now that I’m dressed, I can’t throw up.I press Send.
A few dots come back.Take your hair down.
My fingers fly.Then I’ll be playing with it the whole time.
You look like you made too much of an effort otherwise.Shit, I hate when she’s right. Undoing the hair clip, I flip my head upside down and give it a good shake. My long dark brown hair settles down the middle of my back. I take a new picture.Better?Before I hit Send, I attach the eye-rolling emoji.
Muchcomes back almost instantaneously. I capture one side of my lip nervously before I type,Do I hug him?
Linnie, do what comes naturally. Only you can make that decision.
Before I can respond, another message pops up.Just promise me you won’t play a part with Rhett. This may be your only shot. Let yourself be and feel whatever you want.
Right. If I let myself feel what I want, Rhett’s going to think he’s got a basket case on his hands. Instead, I ask,Would you tell him the truth? That the background we created was fabricated?
I’d see how it goes. It’s only the first meeting. Now, go. You’re going to be late. And remember, everything’s going to be just fine.
Fine. Yeah. If we go by the Aerosmith definition of it, sure. It’s going to be just fine. I type back.Yep. Love you. I’ll talk to you later.
HerXOXOsettles my stomach slightly as I slip my phone into my bag. Leaving the room, I check the door to make sure it’s locked. I head over to the elevator, press the button, and wait. The silver mirrored doors open, and inside there’s a man nonchalantly leaning against the wall and fiddling with his phone.Hello, delicious.Wow, that face is something I’d like to spend more than an elevator ride looking at. “Excuse me,” I murmur, slipping on a pair of sunglasses. Then I watch him openly in the mirrored walls of the elevator. Built with long muscles, this man reminds me of a panther; dark and sleek.
“Not a problem at all.” His voice washes over me. I feel an unusual chill race up and down my spine. “Hey, Ev. Yeah, I’m in the elevator. I’ll be at the restaurant in two minutes. Did Mom buy out half of City Center?” There’s a pause before he laughs. “Tell me it’s not all waiting at the table and she arranged for it to be delivered. Good. I’m about to get out. See you in about two minutes.”
The elevator’s slowed, so I know he’s not wrong. Unfortunately, that means I have to move and not focus on the eye candy I got to enjoy. As the doors smoothly open, his left hand reaches out to keep them open. “I know this is going to sound insane in a city of almost a million people, but have we met?”
The line is so trite, it has me smiling up at him as I pass. But it helps settle the nerves at meeting my father for the first time. “Sorry, I’m pretty certain we haven’t. I don’t live in the area.”
Stepping out behind me, he asks, “How long are you in town? I’d be happy to show you around.” His voice drops further. “Anywhere you want to go.”
My breath catches as I stare into eyes that are a swirl of green and brown fringed by dark brown lashes. His dark hair is just beginning to see a few dots of silver, but it does nothing to detract from the sexiness of his strong jaw covered in a light stubble. He’s easily got to be six foot three, able to look down on me even while I’m in my power boots. Even if he’s a bit leaner than the guys I normally date, he’s a delicious package, that’s for sure. It’s too bad I have much more pressing matters at hand. I can’t remember the last time I was so immediately physically attracted to someone.
“It’s a damn shame I won’t be here long.” My fingertips trail over the lapel of his sports coat. “Bad timing.” I turn and head out the front door onto K Street.
While a diversion as gorgeous as that certainly would have distracted me after meeting my father, I don’t have the time to arrange a follow-up meeting. I’m supposed to walk into Georgia Browns in less than a minute. As it is, I’m going to be making a grand entrance because I’m already running late.
Way to seek out the spotlight even when you don’t want to, Linnie.
Twenty-One
