Page 101 of Hoax and Kisses
I move away from the door to let her in, my eyes following every roll of her hips as she walks in.
“Hey Daphne,” she says as she approaches one of the two beds in the room. “Wow, you seem cozy in there. Maybe I should join you instead of going to my boring party.”
Daphne slowly turns her head to Zoey, tearing her attention away from the TV reluctantly. “No, thank you. You don’t look very comfortable in that. My pajamas are better.”
Laughing, Zoey glances at me. “I bet. But since I’m already dressed up, I suppose we should make an appearance. Come here, big boy.”
My heart thumps against my sternum. Shit. She shouldn’t say stuff like that. Not when it takes every ounce of my resolve not to kiss the lipstick off her lips. Thank god for Daphne. Otherwise, I don’t think I would have had the strength to leave this room.
I stand in front of her and crouch a little. In her heels, she has no trouble slipping the bow tie around my neck. As she does, her breasts graze my shirt with the movement, and I clench my fist, grinding my jaw so hard I worry I’ll break a tooth.
Don’t look down, don’t look down, don’t look down.
I shoot my eyes up to the ceiling and draw in a sharp breath.
Zoey lifts the collar of my shirt and tucks the bow underneath, her fingers nimble as she twists the fabric, making knots that make no sense to my brain.
“There you go,” she says softly as she smooths either side to even it out. She taps my chest with the tips of fingernails painted the same color as her lips. “You cleaned up well too.”
“Thank you.” I cover her lingering hand with mine and bring it to my mouth, placing a quick kiss on top of it.
I turn around to my sister, who’s once again oblivious to everything but the TV. “Daph, we’re going downstairs. I’ll be back in the room before eleven. Call me if you need me.”
She waves me off, popping a piece of popcorn into her mouth.
With a sigh, I grasp Zoey’s hand and head for the door. “Come on, beautiful. We don’t want to be late for Daddy’s party.”
From the moment we walked in, the hairs on my arms have prickled with disgust. I feel out of place, out of my depth, out of control.
The hall is swarming with suits and money, people who think they’re more important than the rest of the world. Corporate laughs, fake pleasantries, selfish interest; there’s nothing genuine about a soul in attendance. Nothing but greed and status. It kills me to have to play that game too.
I lean against the bar, bringing the obscenely expensive glass of champagne to my lips. Zoey is in deep discussion with a group of shareholders—the same people holding her fate in their hands. Would I be a jerk if I admitted that a small part of me hopes they’ll vote against her nomination, just so she can finally be free from this hellhole?
Listen to yourself, Matt.
If I were certain this is what she wanted, I’d never stop her. I’d endure a hundred more of these and plaster on my most arrogant smile. But after spending two weeks with her in Pine Falls, I can’t believe for a second that she’s happy right now.
I check my phone. It’s already ten p.m. No calls from Daphne. Did I tell her to lock the door? Shit, I can’t remember. Yes. I did. I think I did. I drag a hand down my face. And she hadher heavy blanket with her, right? Was her phone charged before we left?
With a sigh, I scold myself silently. She’s fine. She’d text if she needed me. One more hour to go, and then we can wrap things up. Tomorrow, we’ll be back in Pine Falls.
All night, we’ve made the rounds. Corey and Nicole bailed last minute—some emergency they had to deal with—which kicked my stress up another notch. They sent a quick apology, promising that they’d be in touch soon, but still. Feels like I came all the way here for nothing.
Between forced pleasantries and small talk, I’ve shaken more hands than I ever have in my life, and said “nice to meet you” more times than I actually meant it. I’ve spent 20 percent of my evening nodding and smiling, but the other 80 percent? I’ve been watching her.
Even now.
I can’t take my eyes off her.
All I’ve wanted to do tonight is kiss her. To drag her into a dark corner of the room and smudge her lipstick with my beard. Get her all over me and not give a single fuck about it.
I tilt my glass against my lips again, downing the rest of the champagne as Zoey walks over to me. She leans against the bar, her arm brushing mine. “Dad incoming, ten o’clock.” The words are rushed and whispered, and as they register in my brain, she turns, her spine zipping up straight.
“Hey, Dad!” Her voice is too joyful, too chipper, like it belongs to somebody else.
Oscar embraces her. “Hi, princess. How’s the night going so far?”
“It’s been a success.”
