My New Step-Dad(19)

“Is this a hunting charity event?” I say, eyeing the fluffy thing she’s calling a dress.

She lets out a laugh, and it’s the first time in my life I ever thought a laugh could be filled with sophistication. She even laughs classy.

“Trust me, you’ll stand out.”

No shit, I think to myself. The thing is fluorescent orange. I guess the point of the color is to stand out, but I can only think of one person I care to have attention from.

“Thanks,” I say, taking the dress from her.

“So, I was wondering, woman to woman, could you put in a good word for me with Bruce? I think he thinks I just want something casual, but, well I’ve sort of been in love with him before he married your mom.”

My eyes go wide at her words. Seriously? It’s not bad enough that I have to hang out with Bruce’s f*ck buddy or whatever she is, but she wants me to talk her up to him? At least I know they aren’t in some kind of committed relationship. That’s what people do, right? They date multiple people, but I’m not sure I’m cut out for that. I need to find out what Bruce and Holly have going on. No way will I be doing whatever this is we’re doing while he’s seeing other people. I mean, masturbating on each other has to classify as some kind of relationship, right?

“I mean,” she continues after seeing the look on my face, “I know he and your mother weren’t really married, and a man has needs. I’m more than willing to fill them. I just want more. Bruce is going to be, well, hell, he could probably run for mayor in the future if he really wanted to. I think we’d make the perfect pair.”

I’m happy she thinks my shock was over the fact that she was hitting on Bruce so soon after my mother’s death and not the fact that I want him for myself. I can’t believe I let Bruce talk me into doing this.

When he told me he wanted to help me find a dress for the event, I had no idea he meant he would be sending Holly to help me. I would have turned him down if I had known that. I actually thought he was going to come with me. We’d go dress shopping, and then he would show me around town.

I feel like my brain is a jumbled mess of emotions and I have no idea what to do. I’ve spent years just going through the motions, and now I feel like everything around me is coming to life, and I’m overwhelmed.

“I can’t do this.” Pushing the blue dress down my body, I let it pool at my hips. I grab my own halter dress and slide it over my head, slipping my flats back on.

“You really shouldn’t wear flats, you’re already so short.”

Ignoring her comment, I grab my purse hanging on the hook on the wall, and make a retreat out of the dressing room, glad Holly doesn’t follow me. She probably thinks I’m looking for another dress, but I’ve just got to get out of here for a while.

I don’t know what to do at this point.

I loved every second of last night. When I came home yesterday to Bruce pissed about my hanging out with Bryan, it only pissed me off too. He tells me to go find someone my own age, and then flips when I actually do.

But last night at dinner, I got a piece of him. He’s lonely too, but he thinks it’s too late. I know he wants me, but part of me wants to bait him and show him how perfect we could be together. We both get what we want. But another part of me is sick of doing the chasing. With Bruce, I’m not just fighting against him, I’m fighting against his career, and clearly, other women.

Stepping to the curb, I hail a cab and hop in.

“Where to, miss?”

“Just drive.”





Chapter 9





Bruce



Why the f*ck aren’t they picking up their phones? I try Holly’s cell again in frustration as I pace my office.

“Bruce, now don’t freak out—”

“What’s going on? I’ve been trying to get in touch with you or Sophie for hours,” I bark into the phone.

“I lost her. She’s pretty dramatic, but she’s so young, I shouldn’t be surprised.” Her voice is tart, her tone suggesting she knows more about my Sophie than she does.

“What do you mean you ‘lost her’? Holly, where is she?”

“I have no idea, but if it were me, I’d be saying good riddance. She’s got some growing up to do. Just let her go. She’ll come back when she is done being a little brat.”

“Are you kidding me right now? Holly, I asked you to help her pick out a dress for Saturday and now you’re telling me that she’s gone out into the world and I should just let her go? What the f*ck is wrong with you?”

“Calm down, Bruce. She’s a child throwing a temper tantrum. I’m sure she’ll be back in time for her after-nap snack.”

What the f*ck was I thinking letting Holly take her shopping? Holly could never understand someone as sweet and pure as my Sophie. I’m a f*cking dumbass. I bet Holly even tried to dress her like she dresses herself, something I wouldn’t like one bit.

“I can’t believe you lost her! She’s the most important thing to me in the world and you just let her go!” The words burst out from me. I know I might be overreacting but I feel like something I’ve always wanted might be slipping through my fingers.

“Excuse me? The most important thing in the world? Being a bit dramatic, aren’t you, Bruce?”