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History.
“I’m sorry, Mommy.” Cami rocks back on her heels.
Lana squats down and looks Cami in the eyes. “You can’t go talking to everyone you meet—even if they look nice or answer your questions.”
“You think I look nice?” I plaster on my usual grin, hoping if I fake being happy for long enough, I can erase the uncomfortable feelings swirling inside of my chest.
That’s what you always hope.
Lana’s eyes narrow as she gives me a quick once-over. My skin heats when her gaze lingers on my arms, causing warmth to pool in my belly.
“I’ve seen better.” The skin on her nose scrunches.
“You’ve always been a shitty liar, Alana.” I tap the tip of mine to emphasize my point.
Lana and Cami’s eyes both widen at the same time. I pull out my wallet with a sigh and pass Cami another crisp bill.
Six hundred dollars poorer and you still haven’t learned your lesson.
“Are you in the habit of handing out hundred-dollar bills?” A single one of Lana’s brows rises.
“Only to persistent five-year-olds who don’t know how to count to a hundred.”
Lana shoots her daughter an indiscernible look. “What’s five times a hundred?”
“Five hundred!” Cami raises her fist full of money in the air.
That little shit…
“You were saying?” The corners of Lana’s lips lift into the smallest smile as she looks up at me. It’s the first one I’ve seen on her face since I showed up here, and it makes my stomach feel all light and bubbly, kind of like I just chugged a vodka seltzer in ten seconds or less.
I recognize the sensation instantly.
Hell no. Not going there.“I better get going.”
I don’t dare sneak one last peek at the two of them, although I sense Lana’s eyes burning a hole into my back as I get inside my car.
It’s not until I leave the lake house in my rearview mirror that I can finally breathe again.
The three-hour car ride back to Chicago was a blur. I called Leo’s assistant ahead of time to request an emergency meeting, and he was able to squeeze me into his schedule before lunch.
I fiddle with the top of my flask for the third time in the last twenty minutes. I’m about ready to call his assistant when the doors behind me open and the older lawyer strolls inside. Leo looks like he was stolen from the 1920s with his three-piece suit, feather fedora, and golden pocket watch. All the man needs is a cigar to complete his look.
“Callahan!” He pulls me into a bone-crushing hug. “What a nice surprise!”
“Really?” My hands stick out at my sides.
He takes a seat behind his desk. “Yes. I’ve been meaning to check in on you for some time now. How have you been?”
I consider giving a basic, nondescript answer but choose to be honest. “I’ve seen better days.”
His smile falls a fraction of an inch. “That’s a shame. I’m sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do to help make it a little better?”
I sit up taller in the chair. “As a matter of fact, there is.”
“What do you need?”
“I have a couple questions about my grandfather’s will, and I’m hoping you can clear them up.”
