Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

“So, your young man is definitely up to snuff,” her father said to her as they caught some time alone. He was drinking punch while she knew he would rather be sharing a beer with his buddies. But he was here, as he always was when she was growing up. If he wasn’t deployed, he made the performance. Because he was her Daddy.

She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You know you’re the best Daddy in the world?”

He blinked and for a second or two, she was afraid he would cry. The only time she had seen him do that was when her mother had died. He composed himself a moment later.

“Hard not to be with a perfect daughter.”

She laughed. “Please. You didn’t think I was so perfect when I wrecked the car my first night out alone.”

He chuckled. “I don’t want you any other way. Now, listen before more of admirers come and slobber over you. I like Anthony Santini, but if he hurts you, I’ll kick his ass.”

She blinked. “Really?”

“Yes, when you and that Ron broke up, your mother forced me to stay home and not butt in. I will not take another man hurting you.”

“Oh, Daddy,” she said looking across the room at Anthony and his family. “If he hurts me, I’ll kick his ass myself. I am a Marine’s daughter after all.”

He threw his head back and laughed out loud. “And you have your mother’s spirit.”

Lalani just hoped that she didn’t have to put her ass kicking skills to the test.

Later that night, Anthony busied himself in her living room. She had needed a shower and to decompress. While he had wanted to disagree, he saw the exhaustion, and knew she needed a break from people in general. So, he had retreated from the bedroom to give her time to take a shower and relax.

He looked around her living area and smiled. Anthony realized that in the week he had been staying there, he hadn’t paid much attention to the furnishings—probably because they had spent a huge chunk of their time in the bedroom.

He knew most of the furniture was her uncle’s, but there were bits and pieces of the woman all around the room. There was a massive picture of the New York skyline, professionally matted and framed. There were also the personal pictures. One was with her father and another with Jon. He stopped in front of the pictures with her father, of Jon…and then with her mother. He moved closer and couldn’t fight the smile. They were standing on Waimanalo Beach, and they were both laughing into the camera. Her mother was shorter than Lalani, frailer. He could tell from Lalani’s age in the picture, this had to be taken while her mother was dying. But, they were laughing. Just like he always thought of her. Music and laughter. He would always associate those with her.

Looking around, he saw flowers. There were a few here and there from friends in her dance world he suspected. It was then that he realized he should have gotten her something. He hadn’t thought about it beforehand.

With a sigh, he noticed that the biggest arrangement sat in the center of her dining table. It was two-dozen long stemmed red roses. Irritation hit first. He should have done that. He should have had them with him tonight and given them to her. He fucked that up, but he’d remember next time.

The card was sitting on the table, and he couldn’t fight his curiosity. He picked it up, and by the time he was done reading it, he was furious.

Can’t wait to see you for the season. It will be wonderful to have you back with me in New York.

Viktor.

She was moving back to New York? When the fuck had she decided that? Sure, they had only been involved for a few weeks, but they were sleeping together, and he knew it was more than just a fling for him. But maybe, it wasn’t for her. Maybe she was just keeping herself busy so she could go back to Viktor.

Dammit .

It was bad timing for her to walk out of the bedroom right then. He looked at her. She was wearing a big, fuzzy, white robe, and her face was scrubbed clean, and her hair was brushed away from her face.

“Hey, I thought maybe…” her words trailed off when she saw his expression.

“What’s wrong?”

He held the card up. “When were you going to tell me about this?”

“You read a personal card addressed to me?” she asked, her voice filled with indignation. “What gave you the right to go snooping?”

“You’re ignoring the question. When were you going to tell me about New York?”

She frowned and looked at the card, then her expression cleared. “You don’t understand.”

He wasn’t listening though. His heart was bleeding when he thought of the way she had lied to him. She probably laughed about it.

“Anthony, it is all just a joke.”

“You think this is a joke?”

She took a step back from him. He knew he had a bad temper, and he needed to get out of there before he said something he regretted.

“I think I need some time.”

“Wait, Anthony, let me explain.”

“No. I need some time to think.”

“I—”

“I can’t deal with this.”

“No, wait Anthony. You don’t understand the situation.”

She said it as if she were going to come up with an excuse for being deceptive. He couldn’t take that. “Listen, I need a break.” His heart twisted “I need a break.”

“You’re being stupid.”

“No. That was me before when I thought you were being truthful with me. I don’t mind being your plaything, sweetheart, but I’ll be damned if I will put up with lies.”

Before she could say anything else, he strode out the door. She didn’t come down the hallway to stop him, to explain. Instead, the elevator dinged open, the sound of it echoing down the empty hall.

If he listened to her, he might accept it…and she might just break him. How had he fallen so hard, so fast? It had never been like this before, and now, he felt hollowed out. The rage that had surged just moments earlier had dissolved and there was nothing left.

He rolled his shoulders and fought the need to go back to the apartment. With more than a little regret, he stepped onto the car, then punched the button for the first floor.

Maybe he was lucky. He, at least, hadn’t told her about his feelings, so she didn’t have that to laugh at when she was back in New York.