Chapter 4
Lacey
S ome matches are made in heaven.
But others…
Others are made out of loneliness .
If you were to ask me why my stepdad and my mom got together, the first thing that would come to mind is it just made sense. It wasn’t love, or passion, or even money that drew them together.
My mom stayed single for years after Clark, my biological dad, left for his coworker. She didn’t believe in love anymore, and if you ask me, she still doesn’t. But she needed that human warmth, that companionship so many of us spend our lives searching for.
She and Daniel met through a dating app for divorced people when I was seven years old.
Mom comes from old money, and she wanted a man who didn’t rely on her financially. Daniel is a lawyer, a successful one at that, and a kind, gentle soul who tolerates Mom’s whims and mood swings.
In the end, I think they both settled for each other. They have few interests in common, don’t agree on most things, but hey, they’ve been together for thirteen years, so what do I know?
The Grill House, the restaurant Daniel and I agreed on, is nearly empty when I come in to meet him for lunch. He texted me to let me know he’s running late, but I only saw his text once I was pulling into the parking lot.
The Grill House is a household name in the area. It’s known for its large variety of cocktails and filet mignon. The hostess greets me shortly after I walk in, and I tell her we have a reservation under Daniel Sheridan. She nods, grabbing two menus off the top of the host stand and leading the way to our table.
I text Daniel back as I’m trailing after her.
Lacey
All good. Sitting down now.
I take the opportunity to check the notifications on my phone. I have a few messages from my mom, asking me when we can see each other.
I’m assuming Daniel hasn’t told her we’re having lunch. He knows the last thing I need right now is another one of my mother’s speeches about how I’m throwing my life away to take care of my siblings.
She’s never approved of me becoming their caregiver—something she made clear when she denied me access to my college funds, saying, “If you insist on taking care of those brats, you’re on your own.”
She hates my father for leaving her after she had me, maybe even more now that he’s gone. Let’s just say “Don’t speak ill of the dead” is an unknown concept to her.
I open one of her many unanswered messages.
Mom
It’s never too late to change your mind and get those parasites out of your life, Lacey.
I almost laugh.
If she thinks I’m going to wake up one day and abandon Sierra and Oliver, then she doesn’t know me at all.
“Don’t tell me you’re here to spill a beverage on me.”
I look up to see Chance standing next to my table with a pad in his hand. The mocking grin on his face confirms what I feared.
He wasn’t even there yesterday, but he still heard about the milkshake debacle. Why do I get the feeling that it’ll be years before they let me live that down?
I raise an eyebrow at him. “Chance? What are you doing here?”
“TJ got us jobs here. We only work weekends, though.” He gestures to something behind him.
My gaze flies across the restaurant. Sure enough, TJ stands behind the bar, a towel resting on his shoulder as he places beer glasses on a drying rack.
As though he can feel my eyes digging into his shoulders, he looks up, immediately spotting me.
I should probably look away, but I allow myself a few extra seconds of staring because the only thing I would hate more than having to tutor this guy in my free time is making him think he has any power over me.
I regretted making that deal with him from the moment I pushed him out of the way and hauled out of the women’s bathroom yesterday.
I later found out that Aaron went home to change because, surprise, surprise , his shirt was ruined. That was my cue to cut my losses and call it a night.
Even with TJ’s help, I’m confident Aaron and I are never going to happen.
“What are you doing here?” Chance returns the question, effectively tearing my focus away from TJ.
“Waiting for my dad. We’re supposed to be having lunch.”
Question marks flood Chance’s gaze. “I don’t mean to sound like a prick, but isn’t your dad, like…”
I snort. “Dead? Yeah, he is. I meant my stepdad.”
Chance nods, the polite, pity-ridden smile on his face making me nauseous.
I hate that look .
“Can I get you something while you wait? The place is so dead they’re having us take drink orders so we’re not sitting on our asses.”
I scan the restaurant. He’s right. The place is a ghost town.
“Got to earn that paycheck somehow, right?” I joke.
He laughs. “Unfortunately.”
My phone pings with a text before I can answer, and I check my screen quickly.
Daniel
Walking in now.
“No drink for me, thanks. My dad should be here any second,” I tell him.
I whip around to see my stepdad standing at the door and combing the area. I wave from my table, capturing his attention in no time. He smiles when he notices me, making his way over.
I rise off my seat. “There he is.”
“Just holler at me if you change your mind,” Chance says before making himself scarce.
Daniel reaches my table a heartbeat later. “Sorry I’m late, honey. I had to come up with an excuse so your mother wouldn’t sic a private investigator on me.”
I appreciate him covering for me. I’m sure if he’d told her where he was going, she would’ve wanted to tag along, and I don’t think I could’ve handled another lecture.
My stress levels just might be the highest they’ve ever been now that I have to juggle going to school full-time, working nearly every day after class, making sure Sierra isn’t sneaking out her goddamn window, and, as of yesterday, tutoring an arrogant basketball player with an ego so big planets could orbit around it.
“And I thank you for your service,” I chuckle, opening my arms to hug him.
Daniel tells me he has to stop by the bathroom before we can order, and I nod, dropping back down onto the leather banquette.
I must scroll on social media for five minutes before another message comes through on my phone.
This one is from an unknown number.
Unknown
Hey, it’s Aaron. I didn’t get a chance to ask earlier. Can I take you out?
I’ll be damned.
Maybe dating Aaron isn’t off the table after all.