Body Image (Body Heat Series Book 2) by Madeline Parr

kind of you to pretend you don’t know, to spare and old man’s feelings. I’m just happy she’s found someone to make a life with. Someone who will look out for her better than I did.”
    I avoid all eye contact with Bayne, hastily rise to my feet, and grab my handbag.
    “I’m going to go powder my nose.” The click of my high heels against the hardwood floor sounds in time with the pounding of my heart. I make it to the restroom, close and lock the door behind me, and close my eyes as I lean back against it.
    I know my father will tell him everything, but I can’t be there to listen to it. It was hard enough when my father told me he’d lost everything. We’re officially broke. I don’t care about the money, and I realize I never really did. He has to sell the house and downsize and start working again, but it’s not like either of us will be going hungry, or going without anything else that really matters. We’re still luckier than most. And, despite what Bayne thinks, I’d always planned on building a career and working for a living.
    It’s just hard to see my father struggle. To see his shame at being swindled. To watch him list the dream house he shared with my mother and raised me in. Job hunting at 60 won’t be fun; I imagine it will crush a little part of his dignity every time he has to reach out to an old acquaintance and beg for a position.
    I should have told Bayne a long time ago. I know that now. But the right time never seemed to present itself. He worships my father and I just couldn’t be the one who tarnished his image.
    I walk to the sink and stare at myself in the mirror. I’m as white as a ghost. I pinch my cheeks for color and reapply my lip gloss. I run my fingers through my hair and steel myself for the walk back to the table. Bayne will be upset; it’s like waiting for the storm to arrive after the weather advisory sounds.
    The ride back to my place is going to be a real bitch.

I approach the table quietly and they’re so intent on what they’re discussing that they don’t even notice me.
    “Son, I can’t let you do that.” My father is shaking his head.
    “I can’t let you sell the house where Caroline grew up. Where she has so many memories of her mother.”
    I slide into my empty chair.
    “I won’t be able to pay you back, not until I start working again.” My father’s resistance is losing some steam.
    “I would never expect you to. I just want you to be able to stay there, for Caroline. So that we can visit you there.”
    My father, for perhaps the first time in his life, is speechless. And Bayne isn’t done yet. He pulls out a business card and hands it across the table.
    “And I’d be honored to have you come work with me. I’m still growing the firm and getting advice from someone with your experience would be invaluable. I’d think of it as a personal favor if you would consider helping me out for a while.”
    My father stares quietly at the business card, before tucking it into his jacket pocket. “Son, that’s an extremely generous offer. But, from what I’ve seen, I’m not sure you need any help.”
    Bayne finally breaks into a smile. “I’ve fumbled my way through things plenty of times. It’s been a bit of a case of two steps forward, one step back. With you on board and think we could make a run for the finish line.”
    He extends his hand across the table. My father grasps it tightly in his own, and my eyes tear up.

    * * *
    “ W e’ve been seeing each other for weeks. How could you not tell me?” Bayne has just slammed the car door shut and we’re already into it. I can tell he’s angry by the way he jams the car into reverse and tears out of the parking lot. People on the sidewalk stare and I give them an apologetic wave.
    “Well, now you know the family fortune went down the crapper. I don’t think there’s much more I need to explain at this point.”
    “How about explaining that palace you live in? How did you swing that?”