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Father lifted a brow. I shook my head. At eight thousand square feet, this apartment wasn’t big enough for Alex and me to cohabitate.
Not that we were going to.
If we were actually purchasing a property, I wanted it to be one with a high rate of return, not just something I’d settled on because it had to be done quickly.
I’d bought property in less time than this. But it was senseless to rush into a decision.
“Thank you for allowing us to view the apartment. It truly is lovely,” I said, pasting a smile on my face.
Hers faltered, uncertain if I liked it or hated it. “Of course,” she said brightly as she cut her eyes to my father. Always looking to him for the final say.
I tucked my arm in his elbow. “Ready, Daddy.”
If she wanted to play games, I’d show her who had the ultimate say. And if calling him Daddy to give the illusion that I was still his little girl did that, so be it.
“Of course, my dear.”
As soon as we were out of her sight, I released my light hold on him. This was the third property we’d seen so far. I hated all of them. They were stuffy and pretentious and didn’t feel like a home.
You don’t plan to live in any of them.
None of them gave me that little flurry of excitement in my stomach. The one that always told meI’m the one, pick me.
It had only led me astray once. After that, I’d become more careful. If I’d lost all trust in my gut, I would’ve missed out on a lot of tremendous opportunities.
“There are only so many properties on the market,” Father said as he held open the car door for me.
“And this one isn’t it.” I didn’t give the apartment building another glance. “Do we have anything else to see?”
“Let’s select your dress while I make arrangements.”
“Brilliant.” Wedding dress shopping wasn’t something I should be doing with him. Lexie, Eric, Pepper, and Miss Adeline should be coming with me. And it shouldn’t be something I dreaded.
But this was Father’s charade. I was his puppet. And I’d pretend I was going to wear whatever he wished, though today was the last time I ever intended to put it on.
“Is there a particular reason you refused to come home where you belong yet spent the night in a hotel on West 56th?”
I stiffened but prayed he didn’t see it. In my haste and pain, I’d been careless and taken a taxi straight there from Lincoln’s. Had he seen Cal?
For once I was grateful he’d arrived so much later than I did.
“I’d heard good things about it. It has potential. We should consider making the owner an offer.”
“And a good time to preview the property is at midnight?”
He wasn’t even trying to hide that he’d followed me. Or had me followed. Whatever it was he did.
“When someone is aware you’re coming, they hide things. That gave me an opportunity to see the real state of affairs. My schedule only allows for so many engagements, so I went when I had a free moment.” I refreshed my lipstick. “I very much like it.”
His jaw ticked. “The hotel is not for sale.”
I dropped the tube back into my purse. “Everythingis for sale.”
Chapter Fourteen
Cal
Six hours.No answer.
