By Appointment Only by Lisa Eugene

Author:Lisa Eugene [Eugene, Lisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-02-14T08:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

It was late afternoon when I punched out at Le Coquille and waved goodbye to Philippe. I’d come in early to help the maître d’ set up the private room for a special luncheon. Checking my watch, I realized I only had half hour to get across town to pick up Emmy, and I hustled out to my car. My new job was farther from my apartment and the school, but I didn’t mind the extra commute.

The spring day was beautiful, swirls of warm air chasing around my bare ankles. I was just a few feet from the car when my phone rang. Fishing it from my purse, I answered the number I didn’t recognize.

“I didn’t get the job, Dani.” Steven’s accusing tone startled me, causing my steps to falter.

“What?”

“That job I needed you to give me a reference for. I didn’t get it.”

“Is there a reason you’re calling me?” I asked sharply.

“I need you to spot me some cash, especially since you cost me that job. Just until I can get on my feet.”

Anger lit my blood like gasoline. I was outraged. Agitation jumped in and out of Steven’s rushed words and I wondered if he was high. How could he have the audacity to ask me for money? I was still behind on most of my bills, trying to climb out of my debtor’s hole.

“I don’t have any money to lend you, Steven,” I informed, thinking that even if I did, I wouldn’t support his bad habits. “You have to get help. Go back to rehab.”

There was a lengthy pause on the line. I was just about to hang up when he said, “I hear you’re keeping some interesting company these days.”

His words froze the blood in my veins. I tried to stay calm, wondering if he was just baiting me.

“Am I supposed to know what you’re talking about?”

A rough chuckle sawed through the phone. “Riding around in fancy cars, buying a brand new piano. Don’t fucking lie to me. You think I’m stupid?”

I swore beneath my breath as anger plowed through me. Damn, Stanley! My life was not Steven’s concern. It had ceased being his concern when I found him screwing our neighbor. I’d gone crazy that day, so angry and hurt I’d vented my rage on him. The cops had come and I’d spent the night in jail. Thank God Emmy had been with my mother and hadn’t seen me sink to one of the lowest points in my life. Steven hadn’t been worth it.

“You sold my rings, and my mother’s fucking chain,” he yelled furiously. “Those belonged to me! You had no right!”

“Steven, you’re out of your mind! I can’t help you. Stop calling me!” I was so irritated my voice wobbled, but I refused to let him intimidate me.

“You owe me! You fucking owe me, bitch!”

“I don’t owe you a damn thing, asshole!” I hung up. Still standing on the busy street, I realized that despite the warm day, my fingers were trembling.

In the car, I reached into the glove and pulled out a new pack of Marlboro’s.

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