“How are they hogging the baby from you if you’re the father?”

“That’s not the point.” He laughed, shrugging. “They’ll be gone in a few days. Anyway, now that I know my only daughter is in town, I want you to come to my mixer tonight. I’m celebrating another a company milestone.”

“Dad, come on.” I groaned. “I really hate your corporate parties.”

“I know.” He smiled. “That’s why I’m telling you to come, and not asking you to come.” He looked at his watch. “It’s a black-tie affair at my new estate home, and it starts at eight. Do you have a dress that you can wear, or do I need to have our butler pick one up for you?”

Since when do you have a butler?

“Hold on.” I walked over to my bag and rummaged through the clothes I’d thrown inside. “I have a black dress. No need to send your new hired help out for one.”

“Well, what about a ride? Dane mentioned that he could bring you over when I talked to him today. If you tell me which hotel you’re staying at, I can see if he’ll— “I’ll get an Uber,” I said, cutting him off. “No need to ask Dane for anything. I’ll be there.”

“Perfect! One last thing,” he said. “You know, a year or so ago, when you were helping that kid with cyber-bullying and you found that all of the messages were coming from some random bot site?”

“Yeah.” I shrugged. “Why?”

“Well, I was hoping that I could send you some screenshots of the recent messages Eliza has received. I want you to let me know if you think this is the same thing. Whenever you get a chance, of course.”

“Of course.”

“Great. I’ll send you my new address and see you tonight.”

“See you tonight.” I ended the call and collapsed onto the bed.

I needed a lot more time to think about Dane and I didn’t want to do it when he came back to the hotel for me. I wanted the next few days by myself—hot sex be damned, so I could figure this out.

I sat up and made a new reservation at the hotel across the street—placing it under a different name, and then I packed my things and headed to the elevator.

As the car was moving down, my phone buzzed with several screenshot messages from my Dad.

Unknown user: I wish you would stop posting so many pictures of your family every day. WE GET IT! You and your husband fuck like rabbits and pop out baby boys like you’re trying to start your own army.

Unknown user: That duck-face lip thing that you do in your photos makes you look even less attractive than you already are.

Unknown user: Your husband’s lips look greenish-brown in this picture. I wonder if you know all the places that they’ve been.

Ugh, Mom.

THIRTEEN

Christina

The moment I stepped onto my father’s newest estate, I rolled my eyes. He was clearly living far above his means, because there was no way in hell that he could afford a place like this unless he hit the lottery without telling me.

His sprawling crème-colored mansion sat at the top of a hill, flanked by a private twenty-acre lake and a guest house that was as big as his former, three-story home.

Focus on getting away so you can get back to your hotel, Christina. Get in, get out, get back to the hotel.

I silently repeated those directions as my stilettos clacked against the winding stone steps. In true over-the-top fashion, my father set sparkling silver lanyards outside the door for all of the guests.

I picked up the one that bore my name and placed it around my neck.

“Ah, the original Miss Grover.” One of my father’s colleagues smiled at me as he opened the door. “Your father knows you very well. He said that you’d be fashionably late.”

“I wasn’t trying to be.”

“It’s not a big deal, don’t worry.” He smiled. “Everyone is out by the terrace, but feel free to take a private tour.”

“Thank you.”

I walked past him and into the colossal foyer that was outfitted in marble. The grand, spiral staircase stood in the center of the room, adorned with small white lights that twisted around its iron railing.

The house became more obnoxious in its wealth with every step I took, so I didn’t bother taking a private tour.

My mom would have a field day with this.

I made a beeline for the glass doors on the other side of the room, and they glided open as I approached.

Thankfully, my father was right in my line of sight.

Standing next to a brightly-lit stone waterfall, he was telling one of his usual bad jokes.

“Hey Dad,” I said, walking over to him once his employees stopped laughing.

“Hey there, Chrissie.” He pulled me into a hug. “I still can’t believe you didn’t let me know that you were in town. You could’ve at least sent a text message.”

“I’m sorry about that.”

“Sure, you are.” He laughed and let me go. “I guess I may have to start believing in fate now. Crazy how Dane happened to see you at the airport, on the same weekend when you get a new brother, huh?”

“Yeah, total fate.” I cleared my throat. “Where’s Eliza??”