Page 131 of Trusting You
“Lily’s grandfather,” I say, with emphasis, and hold out my hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“Uh-huh.”
Nick Hayes doesn’t deign to look me up at down or study me in any way. In mere seconds, I’ve discerned he has a clear talent for making people around him feel like plankton.
Well, he’s yet to come up against me.
“I’d like to take Lily with me, if that’s all right with you,” I say. To Astor only. “Locke’s place is familiar to her. She’s already been poked and prodded—”
“You don’t have to sell me. It’s done,” Astor says.
“It certainly is not. Lily is coming with us. I have a penthouse near the hospital. Lily should see her father as much as possible,” Mr. Hayes says.
“Dad, don’t pretend like you care about Lily’s feelings,” Astor says, and I jerk in surprise. “Or Locke’s, for that matter. Carter will take Lily to see him whenever he needs.”
I nod. “Of course.”
Nick chips his icepick eyes over to me. “And how long to you plan on squatting with my son?”
“Two more weeks, but I think I’ll pilfer his drawers closer to my flight out. Maybe steal a precious coin or two.”
Nick’s eyes turn into slits. “I’ve met many women like you, and I’ll meet many more. My son deals with your kind often, but never for long. So, if you believe you can infiltrate this family, if you have any notions of staying in my granddaughter’s life, you’d best recalculate.”
I sigh, as if he’s exhausting me and my insides aren’t crawling, then turn to Astor. “Bring Lily to see Locke. I’ll be in the waiting room, and I’ll take her home as soon as you’re done.”
Astor searches my eyes like she wants to ask why I don’t want to see Locke, too. But I shake my head in warning.
“No problem,” Astor says. “Dad, it’s been real, as always.”
Astor strides by her father with no hitch in pace, and I scramble in line behind her. When he grabs my arm and pulls me to his side—hard—I swallow a yelp.
“You are not touching my son’s inheritance. Do you understand me?” Nick seethes through his teeth.
“Get your hands off me,” I say.
“I know you,” he says, maintaining his grip. “And I will crush you if given a chance.”
“Dad! Jesus!”
Astor rushes back to our table, ready to barrel through my and her father’s tangled arms, but Nick releases me and combs back his hair like we’re having nothing but a minor tete-a-tete.
“What’s the matter with you?” Astor says, stepping in front of me. “Why are you even here? Locke doesn’t want you, Lily doesn’t know you, and I couldn’t give two damns why you’re trolling the hospital.”
“He’s my son,” Nick says calmly. “I’m entitled to—”
“You gave up your title the minute Locke was no longer your football prodigy,” Astor spits. “And you’re not getting your hands on Lily. So how about you leave, right now. I’ll send Locke your best.”
“You’re in no position to tell me what to do.”
“Fine,” Astor says, waving a hand. “Do you, Dad. We’re going.”
Astor storms off without another word, taking me with her. Nick remains behind, but I can feel his eyes on us like ants, and I let out an obvious exhale as soon as we clear a corner and he’s out of sight.
“I’m sorry about that,” Astor says as we wait for the elevator. She tries for a joke. “You see where Locke gets all his caveman from.”
I smile in answer, but it’s frail.
Astor grows serious. “He shouldn’t have laid his hands on you. He wasn’t like this when Mom was here. He wasn’t so…”