Lord God in heaven! Was the egotistical sonovabitch planning to make introductions?
I caught a glimpse of myself in the hall mirror. Ratty pink terry cloth. Parboiled face. Hair looking like something that fed on plankton.
“OK, buster.” I jabbed the button. “Bring her on.”
Ryan was alone when I opened the door. The hall behind him was empty.
He’d hidden his teenybopper. Fine. Better.
“Yes?” Glacial.
Grinning, Ryan looked me up and down.
“Entertaining DiCaprio?”
I didn’t smile.
Ryan studied my face.
“It’s funny about eyebrows. You never really notice them until they go awry.”
Ryan reached out to touch my forehead. I pulled back.
“Or go away.”
“You’re here to critique my brows?”
“What brows?”
Not even the hint of a smile.
Ryan crossed his arms. “I’d like to talk.”
“It’s not a good time.”
“You look beautiful.”
I bit back a retort that included the word “bimbo.”
“Sultry.”
My AWOL brows crimped.
“Smoldering.”
The crimp dived into a full-blown frown.
“If I promise no more fire jokes, can I come back in ten? More than enough time to get yourself beautiful.”
I started to refuse.
“Please?” Lapis-lazuli sincerity.
My libido sat up. I sent it flying into tomorrow.
“Sure, Ryan. Why not?”
Coffee. Jeans and sweater. Teeth. Fresh bandages.
Hair? Makeup?
Screw it.
Fifteen minutes later the bell chirped again.
When I opened the door, she was with him.
I stiffened.
Ryan’s eyes locked onto mine. “I’d like you to meet Lily.”
“Ryan,” I said. “Don’t.”
“My daughter.”
My lips parted as my mind processed the meaning of those words.
“Lily, this is Tempe.”
Lily shifted her feet.
“Hi.” Mumbled.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lily.”
Daughter? Ohmygod.
I looked a question at Ryan.
“Lily lives in Halifax.”
I turned back to Lily.
“Nova Scotia?” Moron! Of course, Nova Scotia.
