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“You’re all set, sir. Anything else I can do for you?”
“No.”
“Thank you for your business, Mr. Bennett. Have a great day.”
I hang up the phone.
Calista leans forward, placing her fisted hands on my desk. “Why did you do that?”
“I already told you. I’m going to get what I want, one way or another. With that money in your account, I’m well on my way. Now, let’s discuss the events of June 24th.”
Chapter18
Calista
My heart pounds so furiouslywithin my ribcage that I wonder if I’m about to have a panic attack. It wouldn’t be the first time. I came here to obtain enough money to buy a phone, and I ended up with enough financial security to last me for the next couple of months.
Now, it’s time for me to pay the devil with information I don’t wish to think about, let alone discuss.
“I was at the children’s shelter off of Montlake Drive that night,” I say. “There was a charity event the following morning, so I was there baking goods in preparation for that.”
The man in front of me has the best poker face. Hayden’s features remain stoic, his expression one of mild interest. If not for the glint in his blue eyes, I’d think we were discussing the weather.
Not one of the darkest times in my life.
“What happened?” he asks.
“I felt sick, and I passed out.”
Hayden’s gaze narrows slightly, creating lines at the corners of his eyes. That minor change is the extent of his reaction. For someone who wants information, he certainly doesn’t show his eagerness.
Or perhaps, the information I have isn’t good enough. The idea of returning his money to him has my mind spinning.
He tilts his head. “Why do you think that happened?”
I drop my gaze to my lap, wiping my sweaty palms over my jeans. “I forgot to eat, and my blood sugar dropped. When I regained consciousness, I called my father.”
“Were you drinking? Did you take something?” he asks. His voice holds a note of curiosity but without any judgment. It gives me the wherewithal to continue.
“No. The only medication I took was something to get rid of a headache. You know, generic and over the counter.”
Technically, that’s true. But that wasn’t the real drug. Or at least, the effects were not that of a simple pain reliever.
They were much worse.
I sneak a glance at Hayden. “Most people think it was an attempt to get my father’s attention, but I swear it wasn’t. Even when Kristen came into our lives, he never made me feel left out. I would’ve liked to have her as a stepmother, and the baby would’ve made us a family.”
He slowly nods. “I’m sorry for your loss, Callie. Not just your father, but for everything that could’ve been.”
“Thank you.”
His unexpected but genuine sympathy causes a small burst of warmth in my chest. Why am I affected by the words of a man I’m actively trying to dislike? My body’s reaction to him would say otherwise; it more than likes him. I throw up mental shields when my mind begins to conjure the image of me touching myself with his name on my lips.
It was the best orgasm of my life.
I swore I’d only do it that one time. My first reason was that I was certain I’d never see Hayden again. Since he discovered how poor I am, I assumed he’d be disgusted and we’d never cross paths again. Maybe at the Sugar Cube, but that wouldn’t surprise me, given how close his office is.
The second reason I promised myself that I’d only fantasize about him was due to the fact that he’s treated me like his little sister. I’m certain he’s not more than ten years older than me, but I have yet to see him look at me with desire like he did when we first met. There are times when I wonder if I made up the entire thing and projected my attraction onto him.
