“Get out,” I say flatly.
“Can I bring you anything else?”
“Get out!” I scream. Grabbing the plated roast beef, I hurl it at the wall and watch as the china shatters into a million tiny pieces. Lea shrieks and runs out of my office, leaving the door open behind her.
All I can do is stare at the broken china and think about how much it resembles my heart.
Chapter Fifteen
Allie
The next few weeks are pure torture. Every time I’m alone, my mind turns to Dane. God, I miss everything about him! I miss his wit, his humor. I miss his erudite intellect – he could talk for hours about anything and still manage to seem like a total expert.
And most of all, I miss the way he would swirl his tongue over my clit when we had sex. Before Dane, I never knew what it was like to feel desired. I saw myself as a loner, the girl who was always picked last for teams.
But Dane makes me feel beautiful and desirable and oh-so-wanted. At least, he did.
I’m sick inside. Just picturing his sexy face with chiseled cheekbones and bright blue eyes is enough to bring all of the most painful memories rushing back tenfold. Mara keeps telling me that he’ll come groveling back once he realizes his mistake, but I know better.
Dane won’t come back to me. No, I’m sure of it. I’m sure he’ll move on.
That is, if he hasn’t already.
The only good thing in my life is that I’ve finally begun developing a relationship with my mother and father. Daddy has really been bending over backwards. He even came home with roses for me a few nights ago. And Mom and I have been spending more time together, too. We got our nails done the other day and tonight we’re going to a charity gala together.
It’s a special occasion, so I skipped all of my classes today. I squint as I lean into the mirror and brush highlighter over my cheekbones. Before now, I never wore much makeup, but Mom says that it’s expected at these kinds of events.
Stepping back from the mirror, I admire my reflection. I’m still not totally comfortable with the way my body looks, but I’m a heck of a lot more confident than I used to be.
God, Dane would love this dress on me. Mom had it made custom, just like the rest of my clothes. It’s a thick eggplant fabric that smooths my rolls into what could actually be called curves. For once, I don’t look like a dumb little girl.
I look like a woman who’s ready to take charge of her own life.
The sound of voices downstairs distracts me from my own reflection and I step closer to the door. I frown as I recognize my father’s voice.
What is he doing home? He never leaves the office this early!
He sounds angry, too. My heart begins to race as I press my ear against the door to listen. I know eavesdropping is wrong, but if there’s something going on with my family, I want to know what it is.
“It’s perfect,” my father says in a low growl. “She doesn’t suspect a thing.”
“You know she gets that from your side of the family,” my mother replies testily. She sighs loudly. “My side of the family is filled with smart women.”
“If she was smart, this wouldn’t have worked out so well. She has no idea I’ve been having her followed.”
“I still don’t see why you had to do that,” Mom says. “In my opinion, it was a waste of time and money.”
“Because, Donna, I tried doing this on my own and I fucking failed! You saw me! Until I stole the Lockdown code, we were living in a goddamned duplex! You want me to return all those Louboutins?”
A cold shiver runs down my spine and I press my ear closer to the door. What are Mom and Daddy talking about?
And why do I suddenly feel sick to my stomach?
A numb feeling settles over my entire body and I retreat from the door. Oh, why did I have to be so dumb and listen to their conversation?
But what does it all mean? I bite my lip as I try to figure it out. Daddy doesn’t talk much business at home, but I’ve never heard him mention Dane’s company before.
I must have heard wrong. There’s no way my daddy would ever steal from a man like Dane. My father is a good businessman – I know that he can be cold sometimes, but he’d never do anything so evil or ruthless.