Page 42 of The Hottest Daddy
Aria turned, blinking and gave her a half-smile—which was unusual in itself. “Sunday. Hey.”
“Are you okay?”
Aria gazed at her for a long moment then shook her head. “No. I’m not. I’m not.”
And to Sunday’s astonishment, Aria started to cry. Sunday put her arms around the other woman and held her tightly, feeling Aria hug her back. She left Aria cry herself out before offering her a tissue.
“Thanks,” Aria wiped her eyes and blew her nose. “I’m sorry … I didn’t mean to do that. It’s just … Sunday, I can’t talk to Daisy about this. It would kill her.”
“What is it, sweetheart?” That was something Sunday hadneverthought she’d call Aria Fielding.
Aria shook her head. “I found out the other day … I’m sick. It’s so ridiculous, I felt fine until a couple of weeks ago and now …” She looked at Sunday. “Stage IV.” She said it simply, and Sunday felt a jolt.
“Oh no. Oh, Aria, I’m so sorry. So, so, sorry.”
“Thank you. I don’t deserve that from you; I haven’t been the friendliest to you.”
“It’s never too late.” Sunday cursed herself as soon as the words came out. “I mean …”
Aria smiled. “It’s okay, I know what you mean. And you’re right. It’s not too late.”
Sunday took her hand. “But I think you need to tell Daisy. The shock for her … it’s better to know. I know what it’s like to lose someone in a blink of an eye.”
Aria nodded. “I know, word travels fast around here. I Googled you. Marley Locke. Sunday suits you better.”
Sunday chuckled. “I feel more myself as Sunday, strangely. That life seems so distant to me. Look, I’ll be there for you and Daisy through this. Whatever you need, whenever you need.”
“Thank you, Sunday. I appreciate that. Very much.”
Sunday left her with a promise to call her later and arranged to go see Daisy together. Carmen was waiting for her, and she was smiling. “You and River are so alike sometimes. You both collect strays.”
“I was one of those strays,” Sunday said with a chuckle. “Thus proving families are made, not born.”
“Amen to that.”
As they were walking out of the store, Sunday glanced across the street. She saw Brian Scanlan seated outside a coffee shop. He must have sensed her scrutiny as he looked up and raised his cup to her. Sunday gave him a half-smile. She didn’t particularly like the man and hoped he would not come over.
“Let’s go, Carmen.” She looked away from Scanlan and got into the car.
Carmen got in, then froze. “Shoot, I forget the toothpaste. Give me five, Sunny.”
Damn it. As Sunday waited, she saw Scanlan get up and walk over. She rolled down the window, sighing, then plastered a smile on her face. “Hello again.”
“Always a pleasure to see you, Ms. Kemp.”
“Any progress on the ski resort?”
Scanlan smiled. “The papers were signed this morning.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” He had his hands on the door and he leaned in closer. “You must come by sometime. I can give you the personal tour.”
The skin on the back of her neck prickled unpleasantly. She was absolutely sure River wasn’t included in that invitation. There was something skeevy about Scanlan, she realized, something that made her stomach clench with unease. “Skiing’s not really my thing, but thank you.”
“There are other pleasurable pastimes aside from skiing. I could introduce you to some of them.”
His meaning was absolutely clear now and Sunday, with relief, saw Carmen emerge from the store. She nodded to Scanlan, who backed away. “Another time, Ms. Locke.”
