Birthright

“Yeah. Like he was smelling my hair. Creepy, huh?”

“Yeah.” I sit back and clear my throat. “So creepy.”

I force myself to turn away from her, but it doesn’t last. Within seconds, I feel the urge to stare into her eyes again but focus on my glass instead. I drain the last few drops and then hold it up.

“I need another one of these,” I say, sliding my empty glass away from me. “You need a refill, too.”

“I said just one drink,” Cherry reminds me.

“You did, but I think conditions have changed.”

“Conditions? Do tell.”

“Before, you were having one more drink because your night was not going well, and a drink can help you relax. Now you are having fun, and you need one more to celebrate.”

“Oh, I do, huh?”

“I think so.”

“Hmm.” She taps her finger on her chin a couple of times, eyes narrowed at me. “All right, but just one more, and there is a condition.”

“Condition?” I smirk. “Do tell.”

“You have to tell me about a bad date you’ve had.”

Cherry stares at me, eyebrows raised as she waits for my answer. I’d tell her anything she wanted to hear just to keep her in my presence a little while longer, but I don’t want to just make shit up either.

“What if I’ve never had any bad dates?”

“Everyone has had bad dates.”

“I haven’t dated much.”

“You were covered in girls when I got here.”

“Were you checking me out, Cherry? And while you were with another man.” I click my tongue on the roof of my mouth. “I’m shocked and appalled. Now you owe me a drink.”

She laughs, and I join in. Jude brings fresh drinks, and we keep talking. Another round, more talking, more laughter, and for the first time since Micha died, I forget who I am and the world I live in. All thoughts of duty and family business deals leave my head as I focus entirely on her.

My face is starting to hurt from smiling so much, but I can’t help it. Every time I look at her, I just want to smile more. I force myself to look away for a moment to try to gain some composure, which is a mistake. As soon as I do, I see my father lurking at the far end of the bar, and the spell is broken.

I have no idea what he’s still doing here. Before tonight, he had never set foot in the club, as far as I know. He put up with it because it was perfect for money laundering, but it has never been a place he’d be seen in before now.

“Could you give me just a minute?” I say to Cherry. “I’ll be right back.”

“Of course. I need to run to the ladies’ room anyway.”

“It’s right over there on the left,” I say, pointing.

“Thank you!”

Cherry collects her purse and heads to the restrooms as I walk slowly to the end of the bar, stopping in front of my father and glaring.

“What are you doing here, Pops?” I try to keep my voice down so others can’t hear but loud enough so he can.

“Not drinking, that’s for sure.” His voice carries over the music, ringing clearly in my head. Even when it comes to speaking in crowds, he has the advantage.

“This isn’t your scene.”