“How did you manage that?” Natalie asks.
“I paid her.” I shake my head as I remember the look on that bitch’s face as she signed the contract severing all ties with her only child. “She got a shit load of money to disappear. She signed a contract. She won’t bother Meg again. If she does, I’ll sue the shit out of her.”
“Wow.” Natalie swallows and laughs ruefully. “I wish I had thought of that.”
“You wouldn’t have been able to afford it back then,” I answer softly.
“How much did you pay her?” Jules asks.
I just shake my head again. “More than she expected. Look, this isn’t why I asked you here. I need a favor.”
“Okay, shoot,” Jules stuffs half an eggroll in her mouth and chews with her mouth open.
“You’re so fucking classy,” I mutter.
“Thanks.” She smiles and stuffs the other half in her mouth.
“I’m taking Meg to the Children’s Hospital Charity Ball next Saturday and she needs a dress. I need you to buy one for her. I’ll give you my card, and then I need you to tell her you’re lending it to her.”
“Why?” Nat asks with a frown. “Just take her shopping.”
“She wouldn’t let me,” I shake my head in frustration and sigh. “I know her. There’s no way she’ll let me take her out and spend a bunch of money on her.”
“You’re right. At least you didn’t land a gold digger,” Jules shrugs and then keeps eating, ignoring my scowl. “Okay, we can buy her something. What should we get?”
“Oh!” Nat jumps in her seat and takes a drink of water. “There’s a local designer who makes the most beautiful gowns that are totally Meg’s style. Rocker-ish, but elegant. Here.” She pulls up her iPhone and starts tapping it, and when she finds what she’s looking for she turns it so Jules and I can see. “See? Look at this one.”
It’s perfect. The dress is flesh-colored with red and orange flowers beaded in small patches. It’s gathered lightly at the stomach, giving it definition. There are cap-sleeves, and a low v-neck so it’ll show off her amazing cleavage.
It’s Meg.
“That’s perfect. I want that dress.”
“Will, I don’t know if that exact dress is available.”
“I don’t care how much it costs. That’s the dress.” I shake my head and glare at them. How hard can it be? “Just call her and tell her I want it.”
They look at each other and then at me and start laughing their little asses off.
“Oh, Will, you’re funny.” Jules wipes a tear from the corner of her eye. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Good.” I sit back, satisfied that Meg will have the perfect dress for the ball and grin. “Thanks, guys.”
“You’re welcome,” Natalie grins at Jules. “You know, she’s going to need shoes too.”
“And lingerie.”
“Lingerie?” I ask. “What kind?”
Oh, God, this might kill me.
“Don’t worry about it,” Jules waves me off and I can see the wheels turning in her head. She’s up to something.
“This is going to be fun.” Nat grins.
*
Megan
I’m exhausted. It’s been a long, long day. It’s three am when I leave work, only an hour past my official time off.
Thankfully, I’m off now until next Monday. I’ll be able to go to Jules’ party Sunday night, but I can’t get out of work Monday night because some of the other girls are on vacation. I’ll just have to suck it up.
This whole having a social life thing is really starting to interfere with my work schedule. I laugh at the thought, start my old car and head toward home.
Yes, having Will, and his huge family, in my life is complicating things, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. It’s added some fun to my life.
He’s reminded me that there’s more to life than work.
Leo would be proud.
My stomach twists the way it always does when I think of Leo. I miss him. He was my brother in every sense of the word, and having him gone from my life has left a big hole. Jules is right, his number probably hasn’t changed, but what would I say? He’s been gone for years now. He’s a big time rock star with a band, a tour schedule, fans and responsibilities. He made it clear when he left what his priority was.
I shake the thought of Leo off and stop at a red light in a deserted part of downtown Seattle. Hell, any part of Seattle is pretty much deserted at three am. Just as the light turns green, and I step on the gas, my car dies.
What the fuck?
I turn the key, but there’s absolutely no response. Not even a clicking noise.
Goddamn car!
I hit the steering wheel in frustration and then lean my forehead against it. Fuck.
Well, I can’t sit here in the middle of an intersection all night. I make sure the car is in neutral, open the drivers’ door, get out and push it to the side of the street, park it and climb back in, locking the door.
This is downtown Seattle in the middle of the night.
I call Will’s number and cringe. He’s going to have to get up in a couple hours to go train.