Page 39 of Reluctant to Love

I hope Famke hasn’t spotted us, that it’s just a coincidence she’s here but from the way she’s slowly lurking in the background, picking up one item only to immediately put it back down tells me she knows we’re here.

When Eleanor and Izzy are out of sight, I make a beeline for her. “What the fuck are you doing here,” I growl in a low voice.

She takes her time meeting my gaze. “Shopping for furniture, just like you.”

“Bullshit. You’d never willingly come to Brooklyn, let alone DUMBO. Something tells me this isn’t just a happy accident, Famke.”

At last, she finally flicks her gaze up. Cognac-colored eyes hit me with their fiery anger. “I had to see it for myself,” she hisses.

“See what?”

“To see that you’re really back withher.” She moves forward and runs a hand down my arm. “I thought we could make a fresh start. We could open our own publishing company together, just like we used to talk about.”

“Are you fucking kidding me, Famke? You tried to sue me. Twice.” I shake out of her grip and step back. “What makes you think I’d want you back after the shit you pulled?”

“I had to get your attention somehow,” she says. “Maybe I should have gotten myself knocked up instead.”

I suck in a breath. Famke has always had a cruel and bitter streak. “Leave them out of this.”

“Are you sure the girl is even yours?”

My jaw tenses and my fingers flex. One look at Izzy and it’s easy to see who she belongs to. “Shut your mouth, Famke.”

“Just remember who has the power, Roderick.” She turns her back on me, intending to leave, but I reach out and grab her arm, spinning her to face me. We’re dangerously close to one another; so close, I can feel her breath and smell her noxious perfume.

“Do you really think you have power over me? Once upon a time, maybe you did. You had enough money to force me into submission. But Daddy’s money doesn’t last forever, does it? You haven’t been making wise decisions. Make your move sweetheart and we’ll really see who has the power now.”

I release her and look up to find Eleanor and Izzy standing on the opposite side of the store, watching us with open mouths and wide eyes. “Shit.” I leave Famke behind and hurry over to them. “What are you doing back already?”

“What’s going on?” Eleanor looks beyond me to where Famke is still standing, a sneer on her red painted lips.

“Nothing for you to worry about.” I know my words have zero effect on Eleanor because she reaches down and holds Izzy’s hand in a death grip.

“Don’t lie to me.” Her voice is barely above a whisper but there’s an icy coldness to it.

I take one cautious step forward, holding out my hands in surrender. “She’s here to cause trouble, and I won’t let her.”

Her breath is shaky as she inhales and a single tear travels down her pink cheek. “Let’s go.”

She leads Izzy out of the store and Famke hurries toward her. I’m not fast enough to intercept her before she steps outside.

“Why are you trapping him with a child?” I hear Famke say just as I make it through the doors.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Eleanor answers back.

“Of course I do. It’s the oldest trick in the book. You absolutely reek of desperation,” Famke hisses.

“That’s enough,” I snap, stepping between the two of them. “You’ve done enough, Famke. Now leave.”

“Does the girl even know you’re her father?” Famke says rather loudly. I seize up, hoping Izzy is too preoccupied to notice.

Eleanor pushes her way between us. “How dare you!” She seethes right before she sends a resounding slap across Famke’s cheek. “What gives you the right to say something like that?”

“You ruined a good thing,” Famke snarls.

“No, you did,” Eleanor snaps back before she turns, latches onto Izzy’s hand and leads her away.

“You’ll be hearing from my lawyer,” Famke moans.

“I look forward to it.”