Page 258 of Restless
Harley smiled. “Nice to see you again, sir,” she said with a shy smile.
“Likewise, Harley.” He placed his hand at the small of Mommie’s back.
Discomfort crossed her features and her smile dimmed. “We have a good turnout for the office party.”
“Who can resist such a lovely hostess,” Dr. Stokes responded.
Harley frowned. “My daddy’s nickname for her isPretty Girl.”
The doctor gave her an indulgent smile. “Reductive, to say the least. Your mother is a gorgeous woman, Harley. Not just a ‘pretty girl’.”
Harley was tired and hurt. Her bruises and cuts were just beginning to heal from her fight. Rebel and Mattie still barely spoke to her. Lolly had picked up Molly from the hospital earlier today, ignoring Harley’s protests. Daddy preferred to be with that traitor, CJ, and his family, rather than at Mommie’s holiday office party.
Dr. Stokes eyed her mother. “She hasn’t been a girl in some time.”
“Only a jackass would say that as a compliment,” Harley said with venom.
The doctor glared at her, and Mommie stiffened.
“I’m so sorry, Dan. You will apologize this instant, Harley Banks.”
“Yeah.No. You’re angry with me whenyou’rein the wrong, Mommie. When Symphony flirted with Daddy and I called her out, he didn’t get upset.”
Her screech drew attention to their place near the window. Inside, like outside, was decorated with myriad Christmas decorations. Smartly wrapped presents ringed the balsam fir in the corner. Her mother’s staff wore brightly colored clothes. Servers in black and white handed out hot cider, champagne, and hors d’oeuvres. Mommie wore a short red coat dress, heeled sandals, and fine jewelry. She looked nothing like a biker’s wife.
With eyes more green than brown and silky dark hair, she barely looked like Harley’s mother and Lolly’s daughter.
Harley glanced around, horrified to find herself the darkest person there. She turned accusing eyes to her mother.
“Not a word,” Mommie said stiffly. “You’re embarrassing me.”
“Spare the rod,” Dr. Stokes started.
“Enough!” Mommie said in a steely voice. “You’re crossing a line, Dan.Anotherline. I could overlook your hands on my back, but don’t let it happen again.”
He raised his hands. “Fine. I just thought after our talk—”
“In which I told you how much I love my husband.”
“The one who’s never here,” Dr. Stokes said with a disbelieving laugh, just as the door opened.
“Lucas,” Mommie breathed.
Harley turned, afraid to believe her father was actually there, but he was, dressed in full leathers, his dreads queued.
“Daddy!” Bursting into tears, Harley ran to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. She’d made so many mistakes over the past few days. Most of which she wanted to change. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
Her father hugged her. “I told Bailey to let it be a surprise, baby,” he said. “Why you crying, Harley?”
For so many reasons, but she could share none of them. “Dr. Stokes is an asshole,” she mumbled against his chest.
Daddy snickered. “Flirting with Bailey, I take it.”
Harley nodded, refusing to remove her head from against her father’s chest.
“Lucas, my love,” Mommie said into the silence.
Instead of insisting Harley move, Mommie enveloped her in the hug she gave to Daddy. Something hard pressed against Harley’s back, but she dismissed it.
