Come Undone (11 page)

CHAPTER
9

I LOOKED UP TO FIND
Gretchen in
my doorway. “Hello, new office!” she exclaimed. “How was the Big Apple?”

“No
apples to be seen. Remember when you almost moved there?” I asked.

“Yup!
For Ramon. Asshole,” she muttered, and I laughed. “Are you ready to go?”

“Just
give me a minute to finish up this e-mail. Thanks for pushing this lunch back,
by the way. Lucy’s meeting us downstairs.”

“So
what’s new?” she asked, slumping her Louis Vuitton bag onto the chair.

“Nothing.
What did you do this week?”

“Worked
like crazy. My boss had me there ‘til eight o’clock three nights in a row, and
Friday I had to go straight from work to an event. Saturday I went to a party with
Ava and her friends - we drank way too much and I got into a Twitter war with a
fourteen-year-old. But before that, her hot co-worker was there, and -” I
shifted uneasily in my seat and she stopped. “Wait, why are you looking at me
like that? What’s up?”

“Well.”
I hit ‘Send’ and sat back in my chair and then leaned forward again, trying to
get comfortable. “There’s a reason I took off for New York last week. Sunday
night, I was walking home from Halsted and was confronted by this guy.”

“Confronted?
What does that mean?”

“It
means he grabbed my arm and threatened me. It’s because Bill was the prosecutor
in a case against the guy’s brother back when he worked as an ASA.”

She
rose from her seat, covered her mouth and sat back down. “Olivia!” she
squealed. “Where?”

“In
front of my building. Shh,” I said, placing my finger over my mouth. “It’s been
over a week since it happened, and frankly, I’m sick of thinking about it. But
I thought it would be a good opportunity to get out of town and spend some
quality time with Bill.”

Gretchen
nodded in silence, a rare state for her. “You know you could’ve stayed with
me.”

“Of
course, sweetie, I know. But Bill suggested it and . . . Anyway, it happened
and I’m going to be more careful in the future.”

Gretchen
leaned forward and put her hand on my arm. “Oh Liv, I’m so sorry you had to go
through that.”

“I
need a favor,” I said, wiggling her hand off. She looked at me carefully and
withdrew her arm. I could almost see the question forming in her mind.

“If
anyone asks – Bill, specifically – you and I were together having
drinks that night.”

“What’s
going on?” she asked, fidgeting with the clasp of the Vuitton.

“I
can’t really say.” I looked into perplexed eyes and explained, “It’s nothing
serious or bad, but I just don’t want to talk about it, and I need you to trust
me. Please, just promise me you’ll lie if it comes up. Even to Lucy.” She
didn’t seem surprised by my request, just nodded.

“Of
course,” she said. “Of course I’ll cover for you. But if you need to talk about
it, or if gets serious . . . or bad,” she added, “please come to me. I know
you’re not easily fazed, but I’m here if you need me.” She paused. “I still
haven’t forgiven you for freshmen year of high school,” she said. “The way you
clammed up after your parents’ divorce wasn’t fair. I wanted to be there for
you.”

I
nodded. “Thanks. You’re a good friend.”

      
“Well I try,
but sometimes you make it hard.”

      
“Let’s not
get into that,” I moaned. “Anyway Lucy just texted that she’s downstairs. I’ll
fill you in on the details in the elevator, and then I want to hear more about
Ava’s hot co-worker.”

~

Lucy tapped
her foot on the pavement.

“These
magazines are ridiculously heavy,” she said. “They’re killing my back. Let’s
go. Liv, did you bring my earrings?”

“Earrings?”
I asked, taking the bag from Lucy.

“Yes!
The chandelier earrings. We talked about this at my engagement party – I
need them back, and you said you’d bring them last Monday.”

“I
did?”

Lucy
groaned with disgust. “Let’s just go.”

“I
don’t remember any of that.”

“It’s
true,” Gretchen pitched in. “I was there.”

“Forget
it, come on,” she said impatiently, walking away.

Gretchen
gave me an encouraging look as we walked, nodding toward Lucy. “Oh,” I said.
“Luce, I have something to tell you. It’s about New York.”

She
slowed a bit and turned around to wait for us. I gave her an abbreviated
version of the story, gulping guiltily after the lie. I bore another
sympathetic reaction and hoped that was truly the end of it, mostly so I
wouldn’t have to tell the story anymore. She apologized for snapping at me
about the earrings and we laughed. When we arrived at the restaurant, I let
them both give me a long hug and was grateful that it didn’t come up again.

~

The next
night, Bill and I followed the
maître d'
through a
crowded restaurant. I reached behind me for Bill’s hand and gave it a squeeze
when I noticed my father seated rigidly straight, sipping his signature whiskey
on the rocks. He looked as handsome as ever – and although I was biased,
enough of my friends had told me so that I knew it was true. His hair was all
charcoal now, aside from white tufts at his temples.

“Hi,
Dad,” I said, greeting him with a big hug as he stood.

“Livs.
You look skinny,” he said, holding me at arm’s length. “Bill.” He stuck out his
hand.

“Hi,
Mr. Germaine. Nice to see you.”

“Is
she eating enough?” he asked Bill heartily.

“Like
a champ,” Bill said, winking in my direction.

“I
do, Dad, I eat a lot. What are you doing in town?”

“Nothing
exciting.” He waved his hand. “I’m meeting with the VP at a local ad agency
about doing some consulting there.”

“How’s
business?” Bill asked, unfolding his napkin onto his lap.

“Not
too shabby. I just finished up a big project in Dallas that should get me some
referrals. I’m considering trading in the BMW for a C7.”

“Corvette,
huh? Can’t argue with that. Maybe we’ll take that Shelby off your hands, then.”

My
eyes widened and I bit the inside of my lip. “Really?”

“Olivia,
don’t make that face, you look like an owl.” It was my father’s favorite thing
to tease me about, my big eyes.

“Once
we move out of the city, we’ll need to get you a car,” Bill continued with a
slight smile. I narrowed my eyes and smirked at him playfully.

“You
still want the Shelby, Olivia?” I nodded. “We’ll see what happens with the C7.
Any news at work?”

“Not
since last month, although today I reworked one of Lisa’s layouts, and my boss
was very impressed.”

“Does
that mean you got the promotion?”

“No,
Daddy, I won’t know that for a little while,” I explained, taking a moment to
gulp down my water.

“I
know kiddo, but maybe they’ll give it to you early. Just keep thinking about
the next step. Whatever’s going to catch his eye. Waiter!” he called, motioning
at someone across the room.

“It’s
only been a month.”

“Doesn’t
matter, Olivia. Keep your eye on the prize, never say ‘no’ and make sure the
boss sees you working hard – can we get some more water here?” he
instructed the waiter. “Given anymore thought to moving to New York? Isn’t that
where the top publications are?”

“Well,
yes,” I started.

“We’ve
discussed it,” Bill interjected, glancing at me. “But it’s just not the right
move for us. This job is still new for me, and we love Chicago. Plus, my family
is here.”

I
watched my dad inhale heavily before continuing. “Well how about Dallas then?
I’d love to have her closer. Bill, I have plenty of friends in the area who own
firms. Or maybe you want to think about starting your own. Dallas is a great
place for that.”

I
resisted the urge to cover Bill’s hand with mine while he played with his fork.
“Perhaps, sir, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Oh
no you won’t, Bobby Ewing. We like Chicago, Dad. You know that we’re looking
for a house. And I really want this promotion.”

“I
just want you to think big, baby,” he replied.

“Did
I tell you that Lucy’s getting married?”

He
grunted. “What about Gretchen? When’s she going to settle down?”

“Oh,
she’s holding out for Kyle Korver,” I said with a laugh.

“Who?”

“Used
to play for the Bulls,” Bill offered. “He’s married though.”

“I’d
like to see her meet someone nice.”

“Well,
it may be a while,” Bill joked.

“Why’s
that? She’s a great girl, very smart, unlike that deadbeat brother of hers.”

“John
isn’t a deadbeat,” I said with conviction.

“I
agree, sir, I’m not a fan of that kid.”

“Kid,
honey, he’s a year younger than you. Anyway, Dad, Gretchen’s doing fine, she’s
just having fun playing the field. She wanted to come tonight but couldn’t get
out of a work thing.”

“I
just hope she doesn’t turn into her mother. She can do better. How about you,
Bill? Things are good at Specter & Specter?”

“Absolutely.
I’m on a few cases at the moment, one is pretty high profile. They’re keeping
me busy.”

I
studied the two of them. Next to my dad, Bill seemed . . . lankier than usual.
He was a few inches taller and not nearly as robust looking.

“Good
to hear it,” my dad said. “Waiter! Jesus, do they not want us to order? Get
whatever you want honey, dinner is on me. How’s the market around here anyway,
Bill? I don’t want Olivia ending up with some bum property.”

“We’re
being very thorough, sir.”

Something
flashed across my dad’s face as he examined Bill, but the approaching waiter
caught his attention.

“What’s
new with the divorce?” I asked after we’d ordered.

“Finalized
next week.”

“That’s
good news,” I said. “I don’t imagine Gina is easy to divorce.”

“Certainly
not,” he said, leaning back into his seat for the first time. “But nobody is,
in my experience.”

~

“That was
exhausting,” Bill said.

“It
usually is.”

“That
man spoils you, Liv. I hope you don’t expect that from me.”

I
laughed. “I’m his only child.”

“Yeah,
and you love it. He would give you that car if you asked.”

“Maybe.
But you saw how he nagged me about work.”

“He
thinks you can do better. In all aspects of your life.”

“Oh,
stop with that,” I said, shaking my head at him. “He likes you.”

“I’m
so glad that, after almost five years together, your father likes me.”

“He’s
your father now too, so watch it,” I said with a smile. “Let’s go get ice
cream. My treat.”

“Ice
cream,” he cringed, rubbing his stomach. “I’m stuffed. I just want to go home.”

“Please?”
I asked. “I’ll be quick.”

“No
Livs, the car’s right here. I have to get up early tomorrow, and your dad wore
me down more than usual.”

“Fine,”
I said. My tone was exasperated, but I took his hand. “Come on, old man.”

CHAPTER 1
0

IT HAD BEEN OVER A WEEK
since my
phone call with David. I stared longingly at my e-mail, wondering if he’d
received my invitation to the Meet & Greet I’d planned. Most others had
responded to the message immediately. I nervously twisted the pen in my hand.
What would happen if he backed out of the feature? Would it cost me the
promotion? Would I be able to move on and forget the things that had been
slowly awakening in me? A week was only a drop in the bucket, but it felt like
ages. I wanted to hear that endlessly deep voice in my ear or see his eyebrows
knit thoughtfully as he watched me talk.

A
loud vibration against my desk jarred me from my thoughts.

“Hi
Davena,” I said into my cell phone.

“Actually
it’s Mack, dear.”

“Oh!
Well hello Mack, then.”

“Sorry
to bother you at work.”