Chapter 42
Zoe
“Wake up,” Riggs whispers in my ear.
I stretch, enjoying the feel of him wrapped around me. I press my hips back, teasing his morning wood.
“Stop that,” he scolds. “I’m not fucking you in your mother’s home.”
I jerk my eyes open. Crap. I forgot we were here. “I’m sorry I stormed off last night. I’ve been trying to write a letter to my dad and my feelings are all over the place.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Every time I try to write my feelings, a rage overtakes me. Then, last night when we had sex, you didn’t even seem to care. It felt like you just missed my body.”
He frowns. “Baby, I drank myself into a stupor for days after you left. If it was sex I wanted, I could’ve gotten that anywhere. All I want is you.”
“What about Calla?”
“I know things are hard right now, but she came over the other day and apologized. She wants to make up with you.”
“I don’t want her to hate you the way I hate my dad.” There I said it. I hate my dad. He left our family and ruined everything.
He traces a finger across my forehead, moving my hair behind my ear. “For one, Calla doesn’t hate me. She’s upset and showing it in the wrong way. And two, you don’t hate your dad, either.”
I close my eyes. “Yes, I do. I hate him for leaving us. He should have loved us more. We should’ve been enough.”
He pulls me closer. “I know you’re mad, but you have to forgive him. He was sick.”
“I don’t want to feel like this anymore.” I’m so tired of hurting all the time.
“How can I help you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe if you came with me to my next appointment with Jamar.”
He kisses me. “Baby, I’ll do anything you want. You just have to ask.”
“In that case, can you take me home?”
He jumps up, holding his hand out to me. “What are we waiting for?”
Once we’re home, Riggs makes us breakfast while I shower and get ready for the day. I wanted him to join me, but my stomach kept growling on the ride home, so he decided it was best to feed me. Plus, I think he’s a little nervous after the way I freaked out on him last night.
He places a steaming stack of pancakes in front of me when I sit at the table. I inhale, smiling. “This looks good.”
The doorbell rings before he can respond. I’m surprised when Calla walks into the dining room behind him.
“Hi,” she says, looking down at her feet.
I jump up, pulling out a chair for her. “Do you want to join us for breakfast?” No matter how ugly she’s been to me, I’m never going to make her feel uncomfortable. This is as much her home as it is mine.
“Um, is that okay?” she asks.
Riggs gets her a plate and some silverware. “Sit.”
She settles into the space, while Riggs loads her plate with food. I snicker when I see the amount of breakfast he piles on her plate.
“Daddy,” she groans. “There’s no way I can eat all this.”
He kisses her temple. “Just eat what you want and you can take the rest home.”
Calla picks up her fork, then sets it down, giving me a hesitant look. “Zoe?”
“Hmm?” I wait, trying to keep my face neutral. Whatever she’s about to say is hard for her.
“I’m really sorry.”
Riggs darts his eyes toward me, holding his breath as he waits for my response.
“Calla, I know how hard it is for you to see your dad with me. My mom is married to a much younger man. It took all of us a long time to find our stride as a family. I’ll never hold it against you that it has been difficult for you to adjust to me.” And I won’t. Stone taught me how to be the bigger person in situations like this.
Both Riggs and Calla let out slow breaths at the same time. Although Calla doesn’t look like Riggs, they share so many similar mannerisms. It makes me wonder what our children will be like. Of course, that’s a long way off in the future.
“Tomorrow is Titan’s big merger party, and I don’t have anything to wear,” I tell Calla, hoping we can move forward from here. “Would you like to go shopping with me? We could both get new outfits for the party.” I figure the best way to this girl’s heart is through shopping.
She gives her dad a questioning look, and he nods. “Sure. I don’t have anything to wear, so that’s perfect.” She actually sounds excited, which is good because I want to spend some time getting to know her before we have to look like a happy family tomorrow night.
“My mom owns a really cool boutique on Lemmon Ave.,” I tell her. “We can start there.”
Riggs pulls his wallet out of his back pocket and hands me a credit card. “You ladies get whatever you want and enjoy a spa treatment while you’re at it.”
I stare at the credit card, not sure if I want him to send me on a shopping spree. “Oh, um, that’s not necessary.”
Calla chuckles. “You’ve proved your point. Take it so we can get something good.” Her tone is playful, but it still bothers me.
Riggs sighs. “Baby, we’ve been over this. Now that we’re married, it’s our money, not just mine. Tomorrow is a big deal for me. Consider this a business expense.”
I take the card. “Fine, but we’re only getting outfits for tomorrow.”
“And a spa treatment?” Calla gives me the doe eyes that I’m sure work wonders on her father.
“Manicures and pedicures only,” I compromise.
She squeals. “Deal.”
Riggs clears his throat. “This is a one-time thing, Calla. I still need to see your budget before I reinstate your allowance.”
She rolls her eyes. “I have a job now, Daddy.”
Riggs raises an eyebrow. “Doing what exactly?”
She looks down. “Um, I’m working with someone who’s recovering from an accident.”
“What does that mean?” Riggs asks.
I’m curious too, but stay silent. Calla’s awfully cagey about her new job.
“I’m a companion of sorts. Anyway, we probably should get going, Zoe.”
“Um, okay. Let me get ready, and we can head out.” I push away from the table, leaving Riggs to further question Calla about her new job.
Whatever is going on with her is none of my business.