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“Trying out this place. Is it any good?” he asked casually, like we were all old friends bumping into one another.
“Stop it,” M replied, her eyes scolding him for pretending to be something he wasn’t.
“Muriella, I’d like you to meet Giselle Larsen.” I caught the slight. Muriella was more important than me. That was fine. I didn’t want to be forced into introductions with someone I cared nothing about knowing.
Giselle’s face lit up. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Muriella. I’ve heard so much about you.” She extended her hand, which Muriella ignored, but Giselle wasn’t discouraged. “I’m looking forward to getting to know you. Rumor has it you’re an amazing cook.”
The girl, who was half Daniel’s age, was nice. Really fucking nice. I hated her even more. Hated that she knew anything about my family at all.
Muriella grunted some sort of unintelligible response. I tightened my hand on hers when the attention turned to me. “Giselle, this is Vivian DeGraw,” Daniel said, another slight by introducingmeto her. “Vivian, this is Giselle.”
“Lovely to meet you, Vivian,” Giselle said with a bright smile while I sat there like a bump on a log. It was rude, but I didn’t say a word in response. My throat was literally frozen.
She blinked up at Daniel with big doe eyes, and his actually softened when she ran a finger down his cheek. “I know we’re doing romance tonight, but we can join your friends if you like.”
Daniel tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, and this time my whimper of pain was audible. They all looked at me, but I was locked on Daniel, biting my lip to keep from crying out again as agony ripped through my chest. His eyes cooled when his attention shifted to me. I couldn’t take any more.
I fumbled out of my seat, yanking my hand out of Muriella’s, and barreled past Daniel and Giselle, stumbling out of the restaurant onto the sidewalk. I made it all of a block before I doubled over, leaning against a brick building for support. My lungs constricted, refusing air. It felt like my entire body had gone into lockdown, my legs finally giving way so I collapsed on the sidewalk.
He’d meant it. We were over. Daniel had moved on, and so fast. I saw the way he’d looked at her. I squeezed my eyes shut and beat a palm against my forehead to expel the memory of him tucking her hair behind her ear.
“Vivian,” Muriella called, dropping the suitcase I’d carried to the restaurant so I wouldn’t risk the chance of seeing him if I left it at M’s. She sank to the sidewalk beside me, her arm going around my shoulders.
We sat there so long, a couple of people actually threw money at us. With the front of the restaurant still in view, we witnessed Daniel and Giselle leaving, her arm looped through his, her body pressed to his side. I whimpered, and Daniel turned to look as if he’d heard me, but we were shrouded in darkness, so he kept going in the opposite direction. My heart went right along with him, leaving the hollow shell of my remains on the Manhattan sidewalk.
Chapter Twelve
Vivian
Eight Years Earlier
Thanksgiving.A day traditionally spent around the table with family and friends, eating turkey and dressing and sweet potato casserole—withmarshmallows on top—and pecan pie. Or an excuse to start boozing it up early in honor of a national holiday, increasing the likelihood of passing out before the afternoon meal. Did it count as watching the Cowboys play football if you were comatose on the sofa in front of the television? It did for my mother no doubt.
But I wasn’t in Dallas, and I wasn’t with my parents. Wasn’t even invited home, my plans never brought up when I spoke with my mother two days ago. Apparently it didn’t matter if I was spending it alone, and I clearly wasn’t welcome at the house I’d grown up in any longer.
This year, I was setting up tables at Paths of Purpose in preparation for the feast to come. We were expecting several hundred people, but the way the catering company kept bringing in food, it seemed like we were ready for a few thousand.
It troubled me greatly that there were places like this all over the country serving meals for folks who had nowhere else to go, didn’t have the means for a good Thanksgiving meal, or were simply alone. But I was encouraged by the energetic vibe generated by the Paths of Purpose volunteers.
When Daniel showed up around eleven, it was all I could do to keep my jaw from hitting the floor. I hadn’t shared my plans to be here today, so this wasn’t some move to impress me into going out with him. Surprise registered on his face when he spotted me. He looked like he’d been caught doing something good that might tarnish that tough guy exterior he had going for him.
He still had that bad boy look about him, even without the suit. Graphite gray slacks hung perfectly from his hips, the black cashmere V-neck sweater revealed just a peek at his chest. He was a damn tease, that little taste only serving to spark my desire for more. What was it about Daniel that stopped me in my tracks? I knew I wasn’t the only woman he had that effect on, but it was extraordinary for me. Men rarely registered on my radar because I was so centered on my career, and they wouldn’t now because Danielwasthe whole damn radar.
My focus on him was so intense, I didn’t notice he wasn’t alone until I saw this petite little spitfire of a woman touch his arm. Her silky top reminded me of tiger lilies. The dark brown boots over her skinny jeans added nothing to her height. She barely came up to Daniel’s chest, and though they had the same tanned complexion, her hair was a rich hickory compared to his jet black. There was little resemblance in their appearance, though both of them were youthful with eyes that showed experience beyond their years. They weren’t siblings, but I could tell they were close.
Daniel’s eyes were on me, which had my feet rooted in place. Even across the room, he had this pull on me, a magnetism that was difficult to resist. And I wasn’t so sure I wanted to.
The woman beside Daniel followed his gaze. I had become the focus of her attention too. I shifted from one foot to the other under the intense scrutiny. It felt like she was the one-woman judging panel for a contest I didn’t realize I was participating in. From here, I couldn’t tell what my score was, and I wasn’t sure why I gave a shit what she thought of me, but I did.
Daniel said something to her and began moving in my direction, the woman right on his heels.
“Vivian.” His voice slid across my skin, goosebumps rising.
“Happy Thanksgiving, Daniel,” I said, proud I sounded unaffected by him when I was anything but. “I’m Vivian.” I introduced myself to the woman without waiting for Daniel’s lead.
“Muriella.” Her eyes were mocha gemstones that sparkled as she looked up at me. Her whole face illuminated when she smiled. When her small hand extended toward me, I took it.
“Pleased to meet you,” I said.
