Page 9 of Missing Pieces (Men of Manhattan 3)

"So, you graduated from college a few years ago and now you roam around the country with two shopping bags?"

He laughed.

"But seriously, what did you do in New York?"

"I'm a business reporter."

"Oh, so you're going back?"

He was silent for a moment. "No. I don't know. Maybe eventually, but not anytime soon."

Yup, definitely running from something. "What does a business reporter do?"

"It's like business journalism. I write a lot. Sometimes I give speeches. I've even been on TV a few times."

"Really? I didn't realize you were famous." He definitely had a face for TV. I'd watch him any day.

He laughed. "No, it's not as glamorous as it sounds. What did you study in school?"

"Management."

"That's a good major for your business. How did someone in their early twenties acquire a bar anyway?"

"It's actually my dad's. He named it after me." I turned to look out the window. Guilt had suddenly decided to creep up on me. What the hell was I doing? My father was dying. And I had just abandoned him. Again.

"That makes a little more sense. Did you major in management to help out then?"

"I majored in management because one day I was supposed to take it over."

"Was? Are you not anymore?"

"Honestly, I don't really know. Nothing in life is certain." I kept my head turned toward the window. Tears were started to pool in my eyes. I blinked hard. I wasn't going to cry in front of a stranger. Part of me wanted to tell him to turn around. If I really only had four months to spend with my dad, I didn't want to spend a week traveling to California. I bit my lip. But if I didn't try to save him, I'd regret it for the rest of my life. I'd be home soon. Hopefully with enough money for some experimental treatments.

"You can say that again."

I turned back to him. "Why'd you need a change from New York?"

"Why'd you hop in my car and

demand to be taken to California?"

Chapter 6

Tyler

Friday

She stared at me in silence for a second. "Touché. How long is it going to take to get there?"

"I have no idea."

"Can we start following a GPS?"

"I'd rather not."

"Why?"

"Because the voice is annoying and I don't exactly feel like being told what to do right now. Besides, I'm not in any rush."

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