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The woman gave a brief nod and asked them to wait in the foyer before quietly slipping down the hall.
“Wasteful.” This she distinctly heard Travis say as he looked around him.
Footsteps from the hall brought her attention to the slightly balding man coming their way. In long walking shorts and a Ralph Lauren polo, Peter Bauer was like a cutout of what the rich should look like. Her ex-husband had the exact same shirt.
In contrast, Travis was gauche in his worn jeans and plain black T-shirt that could have come from any discount rack at Walmart. But there was strength in not only his physique—particularly the strong biceps that seemed to flex even as he stood there—but the firmness of his jaw. His steely gaze. The way he looked at her like he knew her better than she knew herself.
Hell. Let’s be honest here. Recognize him for what he was and move on.
Travis was sex.
How had that happened?
“Meredith. What a surprise to see you.”
“Evening, Peter,” she said. “Hope I’m not causing any inconvenience just stopping in like this.” She gave quick introductions and waited patiently as the men made the general niceties and shook hands.
“Please, come in,” Peter said and motioned toward the adjoining room. “Roni is out shopping with Lissa, so I’m afraid it’s just me. Tell me what brings you here. Everything’s in order for the gala, I trust?”
Meredith restrained herself from rolling her eyes. Peter was on the committee, but it was more of a figurehead role. His only real involvement had been to show up for the publicity photos. She, however, was the chairwoman of the committee. If the event failed, it would all come back on her. Which was why she’d been obsessed with the planning for the past year. Some might compare her to a ruthless dictator of a small country. She considered herself efficient.
She sat on the beige chaise while Travis took up a position by the window. “No, everything is on schedule.” She paused, realizing that she hadn’t made any of the daily calls to the florists, the caterers, or the hotel to confirm everything was on target. She would have to hope that all the months of planning and outsourcing up to this point would pull it through. It was no longer her priority. “Actually, I was wondering if Bryce might be home. I need to speak to him.”
“Bryce? I’m afraid not. Not since this morning. What’s going on?”
“It’s Darcy.” She wrapped her fingers together tightly, trying to remain calm, to not unravel. “She didn’t come home last night, and I haven’t heard from her, which isn’t like her at all. I understand, though, that Bryce and Darcy have been spending some time together. I was hoping he might be able to tell me where she is.”
Peter turned his attention to his sleeve and an invisible piece of lint he needed to remove. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about yet, Meredith. You know kids. Have you tried her cell phone?”
“Several times,” she said as patiently as she could. What, did he think she was an idiot? “But it’s going to voicemail. Um… Is it true, then?” She hated having to ask for the affirmation. She should already know. “About Darcy and Bryce? Are they seeing each other?”
He looked surprised. “Quite a bit, I’d say. I wouldn’t be too alarmed, though. I had quite the talk with Bryce. You know, about being careful. Wouldn’t want either of them blowing their futures in the heat of the moment.”
Wait. Was he talking about sex? Her daughter and Bryce having sexual intercourse? She gripped the armrest of the sofa. “They’re—they’re that close, then? I hadn’t realized.”
“They’ve spent nearly every day together over the past few weeks. In fact, I bet they’re probably together now. Here—” He pulled out his cell. “Let me call Bryce and we can get to the bottom of this right now.” He cast a glance at Travis, who still hadn’t said a word, his gaze focused outside at the pool, and waited. “Hey, Bryce. It’s Dad. Give me a call as soon as you get this.” He ended the call. “Sorry, voicemail.”
“Is there anywhere you can think of that Bryce might be?” Travis finally asked. “The sooner we speak to him, the sooner Meredith can put her fears at ease.”
Peter stared at Travis for a moment, almost as if wondering his involvement. But he didn’t ask. “Lately he’s spent most of his time with Darcy. Out at the pool, at the movies, or around town. He did come home early last night—I’d say around midnight. Usually, he’s out until three or so and sleeps the day away. Mind you, I don’t normally approve of these hours, but with graduation and this being his last summer before going off to college, I’m giving him some freedom. The way he slammed his door when he got home, I figured he was in a foul mood. Maybe he and Darcy got into some fight, who knows.”
“You did hear him come in then?” Travis asked.
“That’s right,” Peter said, as if humoring them. “I don’t think you should worry yourself too much, Meredith. They’re kids. She’s bound to show up sooner
or later—probably took a last-minute trip with some girlfriends to Vegas or something.” He leaned forward, placing his hand on her knee. “I know that raising someone else’s kid had probably been hard on you, and I’m impressed that you’ve taken your responsibility this far. Give her another month and she’ll be off to college, and you’ll have filled any obligation you had to the girl. To her father.”
He thought she felt relief that Darcy was leaving for college? That she was just an obligation? She almost choked on her anger. And something else. Guilt, maybe?
God knew she hadn’t been the most nurturing parent. But did people really think she didn’t care? That Darcy was just—just a burden?
Meredith stood. Yelling at him about the true depth of her emotions wasn’t going to help anything. “Thanks for your time, Peter. But you’ll let me know the minute you hear from Bryce?”
“I’ll have him give you a call.” He walked them to the door, a slight smile on his face. “Don’t worry, Meredith. I’m sure everything will work out fine, and we’ll see you Saturday.”
It was pretty much what she’d said to Allie, but Meredith hadn’t believed it then any more than she did now.
The door shut behind them and she walked toward the car only to realize, once again, that Travis had taken another detour. This time he was following along the fence line that surrounded the property.
