Page 108 of Sins of the Father

Vivian snorts.

Anna groans.

“Don’t look at me like that. You got shot by Ms. Thursday. Sorry, Vivian,” I say, feeling a bit guilty for reminding her. But Chase has always been like my little brother. He and Jamison have been tight forever. So I’m not going to show him any mercy after he judges Steven.

I like the fact Steven isn’t a male whore. Before him, I thought chivalry was dead. But he seems to understand and practice it, and it makes me feel special.

“My point,” Chase emphasizes, “is Steven isn’t the type of guy who’s going to sleep with you and not get attached. Frankly, I’m surprised he is sleeping with you. According to his exes, he typically makes them wait forever.”

“I didn’t say we were sleeping together,” I blurt out, no idea why I’m lying but feeling like I need to protect Steven.

Chase’s arrogant expression appears again. “He was going crazy when you were missing. You two are doing the nasty, don’t lie.”

“Chase, enough,” Vivian reprimands.

He leans over and kisses her cheek. “I’m going to work. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Good. Go harass someone else,” I mutter.

“Don’t lead him on, Harper. Quinn will kill you.”

“I’m not,” I cry out.

“Chase, go to work,” Vivian says.

He waves and walks out.

Time to change the subject.

“Can I go try on your dresses?”

“Follow me,” Vivian says.

We get in her closet. It’s enormous and has a large white ottoman in the middle. One entire wall is for dresses only.

“Holy moly. This is like walking into a boutique.”

“Take any dress you want.”

Anna and Vivian play with Hope on the ottoman while I look at her selection.

Vivian clears her throat. “So why don’t you find a job here?”

I take a deep breath. “I haven’t worked in two years. In order to practice law, I would have to take the bar exam here.”

“I thought you didn’t want to stay in law?” Anna asks.

A biscotti-colored, formfitting, strapless evening gown with gold speckles and a lace overlay catches my eye. I pull it off the rack. I have the perfect shoes in my suitcase back at the penthouse. “I don’t. But what else am I going to do?”

“There are a lot of things you could do. Attorneys have lots of skills, and those would be valuable, even if you aren’t practicing law. Plus, you’re adaptable from what I can tell,” Vivian says.

“Jamison and Chase would give you a job,” Anna suggests.

I groan. “Jamison always wants me to come work with them. I’m not interested. That sounds worse than the law firm I worked for.”

“What interests you?” Vivian asks.

I shrug. “I don’t know. Something that feels a bit exciting would be nice. But I can’t live off nothing, and I’m not going to be a moocher.”

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