Shit, she sounds defeated, and I hate it.
Looking at my watch, I wave as I head to the door. Turning one more time before I exit, I’m about to smile at Quinn when I see Cooke lean in and kiss my… and kiss Quinn. It’s not a long kiss, but it looks like one that means something. I expect my heart to sink a little at the sight, but for some reason, I’m okay with it.
Chapter Thirteen
Daisy
As I unlock my apartment door, I’m singing to myself. I’m not a great singer, but I can carry a tune, and the one I just heard in my car is catchy. I can’t get it out of my head. That is until I see who’s made themselves at home in my living room.
“Dad.”What is he doing here?
Placing my shopping bags on the floor next to the front door, I step into the living room and see a mess. A big mess that appears to be some of my papers, file folders, and a few notebooks. Not only that, but Mom’s preciousVoguemagazine is in shreds on the coffee table in front of him.
Why? Why is he like this?
“What are you wearing?” he says in that tone I hate. The judgmental one.
I look down at myself. “A dress.” A cute green and yellow floral sundress. It’s not my style, but I like it. It reminds me of something someone in one of my books would wear to a garden party. Do people still have garden parties?
“A bit cold to be wearing that flimsy thing, isn’t it?”
I paired it with a jean jacket, so no, it’s not that cold. I choose to ignore his comment. In his defense—which he doesn’t deserve—he’s not used to seeing me in anything other than leggings and oversized sweatshirts. By his thin lips and glare, I’d say he doesn’t like it.
I decide at that moment to ask my own question. “Dad, what’s all this?” I point to the mess. As quickly as I can, I scan the things strewn about to see if I can determine what he’s after.
“I’m just trying to figure out what you were doing today.”
I blink, thinking. I need to remain calm and aloof, so I shrug. “Just running errands.”
“Errands?” he asks, standing up from the sofa.
“Yes.”
“What kind of errands did you need to take care of at First National Bank.”
No. He. Didn’t. “You followed me?”
He doesn’t bother answering. “We don’t bank at First National.”
We?What he means is we have a joint account at Vista Credit Union. It’s the account he deposits my rent money into along with the little bit of spending money he gives me.
“What were you doing at the bank, Daisy?” Dad’s voice has gotten calm. Too calm.
The thing is, I’ve been prepared for something like this. I knew I’d have to have a backstory for some of the things I’ve done until I’m ready to make my final move. “I was there about a loan.”
“A loan?” He takes two steps closer. “Why wouldyouneed a loan?”
“I wanted to buy a gaming computer.” And those things are like four grand, so it makes sense that I’d need a loan.
“Why not go to Vista? We’ve been their customer for years.”
“I wanted to do it on my own.” That’s a viable excuse, right?
Two steps closer. We’re less than a foot apart now. “Why don’t I believe you?”
Ugh, his voice is starting to sound a little creepy.
“Dad.” I sigh, then roll my eyes for effect. “I’m twenty-three years old. It’s time I—”
