“What the hell do you mean, she’s not working tonight?”
I loomed over the hostess, who was backing away from me as fast as she possibly could on her sky-high heels.
“She’s sick.”
“What?” My words were getting louder.
I’d texted Jules a few times when I left work and didn’t receive an answer. I thought it was because she was busy with work. Now I felt like an ass, and sadly, this hostess was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“That’s all I know. Bryce said she was sick and we were short staffed.”
“Where is he?”
Like manna from heaven, the ass appeared out of nowhere.
“What the fuck? Jules is sick?” I pulled out my phone and checked to see if she’d answered any of my texts.
“That’s what she said,” Bryce answered, clearing his throat.
“When?”
“Early this morning, she called me. Sounded fine over the phone, but something’s been going around.”
“Damn it.” I didn’t bother answering the douche.
Turning on the heel of my Pumas, I headed toward the valet stand and jumped in my car, which was still parked out front. With a five thrown out the window, I sped out of the lot and toward Jules’s apartment, knowing the whole time she wouldn’t be there.
It was my fault. I’d pushed too hard, and she was pulling away.
But this time, she didn’t get to keep my daughter from me.
“Jules!” I banged on her door and got nothing.
I fucking knew it.
Defeated and destroyed, I went back to my place. My throat was so constricted with emotion, I didn’t even think I could swallow a drink.
I ripped off my dress shirt, the buttons popping off and flying around the room, leaving me in a white undershirt. I tossed off the shirt, shoved out of my jeans, and walked to my room in nothing but my bare ass. Bypassing the kitchen, I didn’t even set the alarm.
My bed beckoned me, but I couldn’t sit on it. If I did, I would think of her in my arms the night before.
I pulled a chair to the window and sat with my head leaning against the glass, watching the ocean lap against the shore. Over and over and over.
Like us, the water kept finding the sand. I had to believe we would meet again.
I ran my hand over my head. My hair was shorter than back then, but my heart was bigger. The idea of Jules had never left my heart. She’d been the standard since I met her.
And now there was Darla.
Drew
“Sully, I need some help.” My voice was raspy and weak.
After leaning against the window for an hour, my body had craved the drink I couldn’t swallow earlier. Now I was hung over, exhausted, and heartbroken.
“What’s up? You sound like shit.”
“My girls are gone.”
