“As I was saying,” Zoe said, running a finger over her salt-rimmed glass and sucking it off. “The difference in you and me—”
“Is that I’m a man and you’re a woman?”
“Ha ha.” She crinkled her nose. “You’re so funny.” Pause. “Not.” He grinned.
Zoe pinched the dimple. “See? Isn’t smiling better than all that frowning?” He shook his head as if he was at a loss for words. Whatever. She pointed a finger at her temple. “You and I think differently. I hate the way people want me for my money.”
Her brows dipped and he laughed again. Short. Without humor. “You think I want to be wanted for my money. Where the hell did you get a crazy idea like that?”
Her hands fluttered in the air. “Oh come on, Mike.” There was a “give-me-a-break” tone to her voice. “You offer a woman no more than a good fuck.” She touched his arm and added with concern, “I hope it’s good.” She paused for a sip of her straw and to give Mike time to lift his jaw off the bar. “Then you give her a nice gift here and there. I know how smart you are, Mikey, and you know damn well they aren’t sticking around for love.”
He grabbed her arm. “Will you keep your voice down?”
She giggled, something she couldn’t remember doing in a very long time, nor could she help herself. It felt rather good. She giggled some more. “Sorry, Mikey.” In mock distress, she said, “Don’t mean to embarrass the big, bad businessman.”
“Okay,” Mike said. “You’re cut off.”
He reached for her glass and she grabbed it. “No, I am not. This is New York. It’s not like I’m driving or something. There is no walking while drunk law.” She held up another finger. “Not that I’m drunk. I am merely feeling…feeling good.”
“It’s called public intoxication and it is a law.”
She waved him off with a hard flick of her wrist. “Whatever. Let’s just get down to business. That is why you’re here, right?” she asked. “Business? It’s always business. Let me make it simple for you so you can get on with your all-consuming life. The charges were dropped. I know. It’s tomorrow’s front page.” Then, in a sarcastic tone. “So nice of you to inform me after I already know.”
He drew a deep breath. “Zoe, I know I haven’t handled this well.”
“Whatever you say, Mike. I don’t care anymore. I’m done thinking about it.”
Silence.
“I handled this wrong, Zoe. I regret it.”
She didn’t want his apology. Dad had done that too many times over the years. When he’d missed a school function. Hell, when he’d been late to her high school graduation and missed her walk across the stage. Sorry meant nothing. “Not just you. Rick. Dad. None of you.”
“I know.” He hesitated and ran a hand through his hair. “I do know. I wanted to spare you as much as I could. Finding out Ray stole from Dad was a blow to all of us. I’d hoped it might not even be true.”
“Ray acted out of pain, Mike. Daddy screwed his wife. Yes. He screwed Clara. The man has no heart. It’s all about his needs. His desires. His everything. Who knows? Maybe Mom knew. Maybe it went back that far, this affair. Maybe that’s what did her heart in.”
“What? Dad and Clara?” He shook his head. “No. What gave you that crazy idea?”
Zoe squeezed her eyes shut and with a shaky hand shoved hair out of her eyes. “I wasn’t supposed to tell.” Deep breath and then she forced herself to look at him. “I seem to be much worse at the whole ‘keep my mouth shut’ thing than you are.”
Mike’s face had turned pale. “How do you know this?”
“Declan Price told me. He swore me to secrecy.”
Several mumbled curse words and a drink of his beer later, Mike responded. “Maybe Ray is lying.”
“Maybe,” Zoe said. “But according to Declan, Clara is the one who convinced Ray to tell all and clear Dad.” Mike turned to face the bar, silent. Zoe continued, “Kind of changes this situation, doesn’t it? Seems everybody is using everybody in some way. Then again, it might not bother you. You live that life. But it bugs the hell out of me.”
Mike turned a scrutinizing look on her. “When did you get this bitter?”
“I’m not bitter. I’m realistic.” She made a sound of disbelief. There had been a time when she and Mike were close. Now, he knew nothing of who or what she was. That turned her mood darker. Sour almost. “And darling, I should thank you. Along with Rick, and Dad, you showed me the light. I know the real story. The truth behind the fiction. I won’t be dumb enough to…” Her voice caught in her throat. “Be Mom.” She turned away from Mike, hands going to the stem of her glass, needing a place to settle. Damn alcohol. One minute it had you laughing, the next emotional.