Page 44 of Rayna's Daddy

But while I was living in the lap of luxury, for one more day. I might as well enjoy it.

I changed into my bathing suit and grabbed a towel. Skipping into the kitchen and opening the wine refrigerator, I squat down.

“Oh, pretty.” The shiny gold sparkly bottle drew my attention. It was labeled Ace of Spade and already chilled. I popped the cork, grabbed a champagne glass and took them out by the pool.

“Oh, this is good.” I sipped the champagne, giggling as bubbles tickled my nose. After the first glass, the regret boulder in my stomach dissipated. After two glasses, all feeling went away, and I passed out sprawled out on the lounge chair.

I woke up sweating. The sun was high in the sky. The pool looked cool and inviting, but champagne and swimming didn’t mix. Plus, my head was pounding. I sat on the top step to cool down before going back into the apartment.

Kyler’s office called to me. From the code to the door, which he changed for me, and the rows and rows of books on the shelves. It was cool and quiet, but it was Kyler, too

I walked around the perimeter of the room and plopped into his desk chair. It smelled of old leather and spice, like him.

I missed him already, and I hadn’t even left, yet.

With my legs crossed, I spun around in the chair a few times until my gaze caught a book lying flat on the credenza. It had a group photo of his family when he and his brothers were kids. A smaller book fell to the ground. It was a scrapbook of some sort, with drawings and pictures cut out of a magazine glued onto the pages like a craft project you did in kindergarten.

For my Daddywas constructed out of different magazine letters on the front.Love Lanawas written in swoopy cursive at the bottom.

Each page in the thin book had a theme. Daddy’s favorite animals. Daddy’s favorite food. Daddy’s favorite activity. Daddy’s favorite game.

The book had more information on Kyler than Google.

I turned to the last page and the cheeky smile confirmed it. Lana was Kyler’s former little. Her blonde hair was done up in pin curls piled on top of her head. Her full cheekbones had a pink hue. Making her look so young. She had taken a selfie in a little pink ruffled nighty. She held the camera high and at a great angle to show off her boobs. She had one hand pulling on the ruffle of her cute little white socks with pink lace.

Under the photo, she wrote in pink and silver paint pen.

I love you, Daddy!

I slam the book shut and threw it on the ground. My heart sunk. It was right there in glittery paint pens and crayons. Lana was Kyler’s perfect little girl, and in no way did I measure up.

I stumbled back into the living room. Frantically looking at my phone for options. I had to get out of here, “But I have nowhere else to go.” My stomach growled. “And, I’m hungry.”

Rayna: Can I please have a pepperoni and jalapeño pizza and some ice cream?

Joan: What flavor of ice cream?

I typed all flavors but deleted it. I was annoyed and a little drunk from the champagne, but no need to take it out on her.

Rayna: Strawberry Cheesecake.

Rayna: Thank you.

“Oh, where did I put the champagne?” I retraced my steps. “Think Rayna.”

I found myself back out by the pool. The bottle glowing in the sun. It was heavier than I remember. I held it close to my eyes.

“Is it real gold?” I took a sip straight from the bottle. Champagne poured out on my face and down my shirt. I jumped back, glaring at the bottle in my hand like it had bitten me.

I made my way back to the living room. The aroma of pizza hit me in the face. My stomach growled. I grabbed the pizza and sat it on the coffee table. My mouthwatering when I opened the box.

I found a movie to watch and proceeded to have one last party on Kyler Grant’s dime. It was the least he could do. The pizza was gooey and hot. I peeled off a jalapeño and popped it in my mouth. My lips puckered from the tart pepper. I took a big bite of the pizza and groaned.

“Damn.” I took another bite. “Is there nothing they can’t make?” I scarfed down the slice and started working on the next. I finished it in record time and went for a third. Somewhere in between pizza bites, I had finished off the bottle. Some of it was down my front and on the patio by the pool. There was one last sip before it was gone.

“Adios, Senior Grant.” I held the bottle up in the air and toasted to the sky. My stomach grumbled, and I dropped the bottle and clutched my chest. I burped and waved off the spicy scent. The pizza had joined the pancakes and was about to revolt.

“Oh, no.” I slapped my hand over my mouth. I considered a full minute debating about which way to run. There had to be a half bathroom somewhere down the opposite hall from my room. I opened the first door and found a closet. The next was locked.

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