Page 27 of Sins of the Father

An expression I can’t decipher crosses her face. “Guess you can say that.”

“What did you do before?”

“I ran a law firm.”

“Are you an attorney?”

“According to my degree.”

“Wow.”

“There wasn’t anything wow about it.”

“You didn’t like it?”

“Nope.”

“So, did you just up and quit one day?”

“I suppose that’s one way to put it,” she mutters and glances out the window.

“What kind of law did you practice?”

“Mergers and acquisitions. We did a lot with Noah’s firm.”

“Bet that was stressful.”

She scans my face and takes a deep breath.

“Do I make you nervous?” I blurt out then close my eyes, cringing. “Sorry, forget—”

“A little. No, a lot.”

My pulse beats in my neck. “Sorry. I always say the wrong things.”

“What have you said wrong?”

The car stops, and Ted quickly opens my door. I don’t answer her question and slide out then reach in to take her hand and help her out.

I lead her to the front of the line.

“Steven.” The bouncer beams and slaps my hand.

“Hey, Jeff. Mind if we sneak in?”

“Nope. Go on in.”

“Thanks, man.”

I keep Harper close to me and escort her past the crowd and directly to the side booth where VIPs go. “Hey, Terrie. How are you?” I ask the coat-check girl.

“I’m great, Steven. Saw you’re trending on social media.”

I force a smile, groaning inside, and hand her my phone. Club D has a strict policy, and everyone has to check their phones so pictures and videos aren’t taken of guests.

Terrie hands me a ticket and says to Harper, “Phone?”

“She didn’t bring it.”

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