Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 45284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
“I’ll fuck you right here, and everybody will hear you moan.”
“So what’s happening, sweetie?” Mom’s bubbly voice urges me on.
“A lot,” I say.
Then I tell them an edited version of the story: Tommy showing up to protect me, yes; Tommy already being interested in me through the video, yes; the kidnapping, kind of, but I frame it as me wanting to stay here, which is true anyway; about the day out, I take out the steamy parts.
“What are his intentions, then?” Dad says. “It sounds like you’ve had some fun, but what does he want from you? Billionaires only want one thing from young women.”
“Oh, please,” Mom says. “Don’t muddy it before we even hear how she feels.”
Dad strokes his goatee, smiling tightly. “I’m sorry. I worry about her. I worry about you, Amelia.”
“We’re dating,” I tell Dad. “You can go online and search for photos of Tommy with other women, and you won’t find anybody. I get what you’re saying. Usually, rich men only go after young women for one thing, but this isn’t the usual scenario. Tommy isn’t like that.”
“Tommy isn’t like that,” Dad repeats. “You don’t even know him. Also, will we all accept that he lured you to London?”
“He told me I was the most qualified candidate. The CEO refused to pick me just because Tommy wanted him to.”
“Did you believe him?” Mom asks.
She says it differently from how Dad might. He might phrase it as an accusation, but Mom genuinely wants to know. It warms my heart to know she trusts my judgment.
“I did,” I say. “I don’t think he would lie to me about something like that.”
“I think it’s exciting,” Mom says.
“Here we go…”
Mom turns to Dad when he says this. “What’s the problem?”
Dad sighs like a teacher indulging an overactive student. “Let’s see… the age, for one. He’s forty-two. She’s nineteen.”
“Charley… really?”
“It’s not the same,” Dad says gruffly. “There’s, what, twelve years between us? That’s different than twenty-three. That’s older than she even is. Don’t you see a problem with that?”
Mom waves a hand, her bracelets making a clicking sound. “I care about my daughter’s opinion and her feelings about this. I know she’s capable of good judgment. You still see your little girl when you look at her, but Ami, you’re mature and responsible.”
I’m getting choked up. Mom has always been loving and supportive, but that doesn’t mean I ever stop being grateful.
“I know that,” Dad says, “but this is still a lot to take in. I’m not sure I can condone this.”
“Condone?” I snap, even as I try to stay civilized.
“You heard me,” Dad snaps right back.
Family friends say I get my argumentative side from Dad. The chill side and optimism come from Mom.
“Okay, okay,” Mom says, ever the intermediary. “Let’s not get into a full-blown argument about this. Are you asking her to stop dating him, Charley?”
“I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it.”
I don’t think I can stop, I almost say, but that would hardly make things better.
“I’ll have to speak to him, too,” Dad says.
“But won’t that be awkward? We’ve only started dating.”
“Ami,” Mom says, “you’re dating a man overseas, who we’ve never met, and he is much older than you. It’s only fair that he has a quick conversation with us.”
“Fine. I’ll ask him.”
“Are you happy, sweetie?” Mom asks.
“Yes. Very. Happier than I’ve been in all my life, honestly.”
“Do you think you’re falling in love?”
“No, it’s too soon for that,” Dad says. “Isn’t it, Amelia?”
I swallow a ball of emotion, unsure what to say or how to explain all the feelings warring within. Then the landline phone rings from inside the apartment. I didn’t even know there was a landline.
“Sorry, the phone’s ringing.”
“We have to go, anyway,” Mom says, giving Dad a look that says, Give her space. Give her time.
I love their dynamic. It’s as if Mom is always taming him, and he’s always supporting her.
“I love you both,” I say.
“We love you too.”
Walking through the apartment, I follow the sound of the ringing phone. It’s on the kitchen pillar. It must say something about how fast this relationship is moving, the fact I didn’t even have time to spot the phone.
“Ami.” It’s Tommy, his voice grave. “Are you there?”
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
Tommy clears his throat. “It’s Loki. He’s gone. The dog sitter has left a bloody note. Guess what it says? Ollie will be in touch. He somehow got to the sitter, and now my dog is gone, my Loki.”
“Where are you?” I ask.
“My apartment, but I’m heading into the office. It’s a more central location. I’ve already sent men out to scour the city.”
“I’ll come to join you, yeah? I don’t want you to be alone.”
My thoughts stray to Ollie with the black-and-tan dog, but I can’t let myself think about what might happen.