“It’s nothing.”
I went inside the shop and grabbed my wallet from behind the counter. I counted out the bills quickly and hurried back over to Claire. I didn’t want her hanging around any longer than she needed to.
“Here,” I said. I handed her the money. She tucked it safely in her back pocket and smiled gratefully. “Need anything else?”
“No,” she said, but didn’t move. “Except…”
“What?” I asked.
“I’ve been thinking a lot lately. About our situation. You. Me. And Paisley. She’s not a baby anymore. She turned eight a week ago, and she’s starting to ask a lot of questions. She wants to know where you are. She was never all that interested before, but—”
“Well, that’s no surprise,” I snapped. “Not after everything you told her.”
“I didn’t tell her anythi—”
“The hell you didn’t,” I said. I glared at her dangerously. All I wanted in that moment was for her to disappear.
“I said what I had to say,” she said defensively. “Paisley was so little. She didn’t understand what happened between us. I couldn’t tell her that I…”
“Had an affair?” I offered. “It’s okay, Claire. You can say it. She’s not here.”
“She wasn’t ready to know the truth,” she said simply.
“But she was ready to know about the things I did?” I asked.
“It was just easier that way,” Claire said. “It was the best way to explain why you weren’t around.”
“You mean why you wouldn’t let me be around,” I corrected.
“Sean,” Claire breathed. “I don’t want to fight with you.”
“No?” I scoffed. “You just want more money. Well, you got it. Now go.”
“I want you to see her,” she said quickly. “I think it’s time for the two of you to get to know each other. Now that you aren’t in the club anymore… it just makes sense.”
I stared at her. Anger boiled in my veins. The sun felt hotter than ever on my skin. I couldn’t believe that any of this was happening.
“Claire,” I began slowly. “You’ve kept me away from her for six years, five months, and three weeks. I haven’t seen my daughter in six years, five months, and three weeks. That decision was yours. And I agreed because you were right. I’m not good enough to be in Paisley’s life. I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me. I send you a check every month, and I stay away. What more do you want?”
“I just thought you might want to know her,” Claire said.
“I do,” I nodded. “But you took that away from me, and now it’s too late.”
I turned my back to her and started walking toward the office. I was halfway there when she called out to me.
“Sean,” she said. “Did your dad call you today?”
I stopped and turned to look at her. “No.”
“Not surprised, I guess,” she said. “Anyway, happy birthday.”
She smiled sadly and walked away. I watched her climb behind the wheel of her old car and drive off. I didn’t move until she turned the corner and drove out of sight.
CHAPTER TWO
Tara
Everything was quiet as I walked through the showroom toward the back elevators. The lights were still off, and our employees weren’t due to arrive for another hour, but I always got to work early. Early morning was my favorite time of the day. When everything was still and calm, I felt at peace. I felt like there was no challenge too great for me to handle.
I stepped onto the elevator and pressed the number three. The third floor was where the higher executives worked, myself included. I expected to be the first person in the office, but when I stepped off the elevator, I saw that Ray’s light was on.
“Good morning,” I said, poking my head in quickly to say hello.
“Morning, Tara,” he said with a wave. He barely looked up from his computer. I made my way down the hall to my own office. On the way, I noticed Zach was also here already. It wasn’t strange for Ray to come in early, but Zach was almost always an hour late.
I opened my office door and flicked on the lights with a frown. Zach being at the office before nine was a sign that something was wrong. I slid behind my desk and powered on my computer. As I checked my calendar for the day, I let my mind wander. Something in my gut told me Zach was there for a reason, and I wanted to know what that reason was.
“Tara?” Ray said. He stuck his head partially in my office and knocked softly on the door frame. “Got a minute?”
“Of course.” I smiled and gestured for him to sit down.
“Listen,” he said. “We’re having a meeting this morning. Nine on the dot. Can you send an email to the office letting everyone know to meet in the conference room?”
“Sure,” I said quickly. “Just the execs or everyone?”
“Everyone,” he said. “Well, not the floor crew, but everyone else.”
“On a Friday?” I asked. I just realized what day it was. Things were growing more peculiar by the second. “What’s going on?”
“It’s nothing to worry about,” he promised. “We just have some things to discuss. I want to get everyone’s opinion.”
“On what exactly?” I asked. I didn’t like surprises, and the last thing I wanted was to look uninformed at the meeting.
“We’re making some changes,” he said. “What changes, I’m not entirely sure yet. That’s what the meeting will decide.”
“Okay,” I nodded. I was still confused, but I knew Ray well enough to know I wouldn’t get any more answers out of him.
“Send that email,” he said, standing up and heading toward the door.
“On it,” I said, already turning to my computer. As Ray was about to step out into the hallway, Zach blocked him. Ray stepped aside so Zach could pass by.
“Did you tell her about the meeting?” he asked.
“Yup,” Ray nodded. “She’s sending the email now.”
“Done,” I said as I pressed send. I glanced up to see Zach staring at me. There was a small grin on his face that I knew all too well. His hair was clipped too short and it made his piercing blue eyes that much more prominent. He always looked mischievous, like he was keeping a secret the rest of us couldn’t know. Zach was handsome, but I never found him attractive. Truthfully, he made my skin crawl.
“Thanks, T,” he said, using the nickname I hated.
“No problem, Z,” I fired back with sarcasm. He chuckled and turned to face Ray.
“Dad,” he said. “I have a few things to go over with you before the meeting, if you have time.”
“Sure,” Ray nodded. “Come on. We can talk in my office.”
Zach nodded and moved to follow his dad out into the hallway.