Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 90448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Then girl number five would be moving into the house, or even worse, I’d be dead. I didn’t know how, but the fourth girl never survived and I wasn’t willing to hang around and find out why.
I love you, Jasmine.
He’d said that a lot in these past days, from when we made love in Paris to cuddling in my bed.
How could he love me and not tell me about Benny?
He knew Benny was my dad and never said anything.
Oh my god.
I glanced at my brother and Vivian.
Troy held her free hand as she drove. “Are you okay, sis?”
“Yes.” I twisted my lucky copper ring. “Umm . . . I have some really, really bad news and I don’t know how to say it.”
“Worse than you running with a knife from a rich white guy?” Troy smirked.
“Yeah,” I muttered. “Worse than that. Unfortunately, it affects all three of us.”
“Then maybe we should wait until we get home.” Vivian gave me a weak smile in the rearview mirror. “You know I can’t drive well with bad news.”
“Okay.”
Troy kissed her check. “I love you, Viv. You looked so cute as watch-out today.”
“You see how sappy your brother is?” she laughed.
“Yeah.” I slumped into the seat. “I see.”
Chapter 32
Father Time
Benny, my father, sat on the green park bench and tossed breadcrumbs on the stone pathway. Pigeons flew down to the pebbled path. A breeze blew through his silvery gray hair. A black designer suit draped him.
All my life I wished I had a dad like Benny—strong, kind, powerful, someone who cared.
He’s my dad.
I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. Last Saturday, Vivian and I took the weave out. My hair now hung a little past my shoulders in a pattern of lovely waves.
“Thank you for coming.” Benny kept his attention on the flock of birds.
“You made it worth my while.” I slumped down next to him and crossed my legs.
“You look nice.” Benny turned to me. “You have a date?”
“Yep.” I smoothed the soft material of my black dress with my hands. I wore silver shoes and jewelry.
“With whom?”
“Gabe.” I shrugged. “He was promoted to executive chef and asked me out to celebrate.”
“Finally.” Benny handed me the brown paper bag with bread in it. “It only took him six or so years.”
I dug my hand in the bag, grabbed a handful of bread, and threw it on the ground. Birds swarmed my way.
“I watched all of you grow up,” Benny said. “All Gabe did was try to get your attention any way he could.”
I handed the bag back to Benny.
He waved it away. “Keep it.”
“Okay.” I gathered more crumbs and tossed them out.
“Where is he taking you?”
“Well, it will be at Lan where he works. The whole restaurant is closed. The owner let him have the kitchen and one waiter to serve us.”
“Are you excited?” Benny smiled.
“Yes. The food will be amazing.” I winked at him.
“And the man?”
“He’s growing on me.” I blushed.
“After six years, he still has no chance.” Benny laughed. “Women.”
I nudged his side. “Hey. I like Gabe. He’s really nice and sweet.”
“Poor guy has no chance.”
Two women ran by, chatting with each other. It reminded me of Vivian and myself.
We hadn’t run in weeks, no matter how many times I tried to drag her out of bed. She’d stayed in her room all day and night for two weeks.
Sometimes I laid next to her, spooning ice cream into our mouths and forcing her to watch old black and white movies with me. This week I focused strictly on Humphrey Bogart films.
“And has Chase stopped trying to contact you?” Benny asked.
“He sits outside of my apartment in his limo all night. I think he sleeps there because he’s still parked there when I wake up.” I pulled a big chunk of bread out and threw it to a tiny bird, hoping she would get it before the other pigeons realized it was there. “I think he wiped his behind with my restraining order.”
“Would you like me to handle it?” He placed a folded newspaper on his lap.
“You’ve already done enough by assigning me two guards.”
“When you’re ready let me know. I’ll do whatever it takes to get rid of him.” Darkness shaded his eyes.
That’s what I’m afraid of.
“No, Benny. He’ll give up eventually.” I shook my head. “And since we’re on the subject of Chase, you said you would tell me what you had on him if I met with you, so here I am.”
He rubbed his eyes and looked tired.
Vivian refused to speak to him. She hung up when he called and cringed when I brought up his name. We didn’t even discuss that we were sisters. That and Troy’s name were one of the many things I didn’t bring up in order to ensure Vivian would not run into her room and cry for the rest of the night.