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“What else was my father like?” Mimi had been a dead end, and Shane had almost given up hope, but now he might finally get the answers he was hoping for.
“A self-indulgent disappointment.”
Shock smacked Shane across the face and ricocheted through his gut. “Geez Gramps, tell me how you really feel.” No wonder Dad left and didn’t look back. Shane didn’t expect rainbows and sunshine from the man, but a proper introduction instead of going straight for the kill, would have been nice.
“Don’t call me that,” he stated dryly. “Your father had such promise, and he threw it all away on a one-way ticket to California.”
Shane wanted to know about his father, but he had no intention of listening to his grandfather rip apart the man who wasn’t even alive to defend himself. “I’ve known you for all of two minutes, and I’m ready to buy a one-way ticket out of here, so I can’t say I blame him.” Shane met his eyes for the first time, startled by the familiar shade of brown and green. “If you have a point, get to it. I have somewhere to be.”
“Your grandmother asked me to stop by.”
The bastard couldn’t even come on his own accord. “Nice. So basically, you didn’t want to meet me, but to save face with the wife, you dragged yourself here. Well, I wish I could say it’s been a pleasure.” The driver stopped at a stop sign, and Shane flung the door open.
“Wait,” his grandfather held his finger up.
Shane glanced back, a million thoughts running through his head and none of them kind. He bit back all those angry words and told the man what he wanted to hear. “Don’t worry. I’ll tell Mimi we had a riveting conversation.” He slammed the door and stormed from the SUV. He didn’t stop until he was in front of Pie in the Sky.
He hoped the walk would help ease the rigid muscles in his neck, but if anything, they’d only tightened. He didn’t know his father, but from what Mom had told him, he was none of the things his grandfather had said he was. Why the animosity? What the hell happened all those years ago that caused such a rift between the two?
Or was it possible good ol’ Dad was everything Grandfather had said he was?
No. Shane refused to believe anything that man had said. If his dad were any of those things, there had to be a reason. Shane had a feeling it had everything to do with why Dad had left in the first place.
The sound of shoes clicked on the concrete, and Shane took a deep breath before turning toward Olivia. She was a vision in tight jeans that molded perfectly to every curve and stopped just at her ankle. Tan shoes gave her an extra four inches or so, and the navy tank she wore, though loose fitting, dipped low enough to reveal the two perfect mounds of flesh beneath.
She was a bright spot in this rather shitty day. He pushed everything else out of his mind and focused on the woman in front of him. If he’d learned anything in life, it was to enjoy the little moments before they were over.
“Sorry, I’m running late,” she said. “I forgot that my only means of transportation is a golf cart. While it’s much cleaner than the subways, it’s not nearly as fast.”
He didn’t even notice. “I just got here myself,” he admitted.
She tilted her head, gaze taking him in. “Uh oh. What’s the matter?”
He nearly stumbled back at her razor-sharp observation. Clearly his poker face had nothing on her.
“Want to talk about it?”
“I’m not going to dump my problems on you.” Olivia was his chance at fun, and unloading the shitstorm he just weathered wasn’t exactly his idea of fun. It sounded more like a revisit to the mouth of the hell gates.
“Why not? I dumped mine on you yesterday and, if we’re counting, the night on the train, too. I think you’ve earned it. Besides, there’s something about talking through your problems over pie that is comforting.”
Despite his strong resolve and ability to suppress his emotions, he supposed he could use a little comfort right now.
“Come on.” Olivia turned the knob, rested her hand against the wood, and held the door open. “Step into my office.”
Shane didn’t hesitate and moved toward the door. The delicious aromas of vanilla and cinnamon surrounded him, making his stomach growl in anticipation.
The place was tiny, yet it felt as if he had walked into someone’s home. The mint green and white colors that covered the floor tiles, walls, and counter were warm and inviting.
“Hi, Miss Karen.” Olivia waved as she clicked her way across the tiles.
Miss Karen’s face lit up beneath her dark brown curls that were pushed back in a bandana. “Hi there, Olivia. You’re spoiling me with your presence. Two times in one visit.” Miss Karen rested a hand against her chest.
“I couldn’t be in town and not stop in for some of your amazing pies.”
In town? Did that mean Olivia planned on going back to the city? He could ask, but to ask was to care, and it was none of his business whether she was staying or not.
“What can I get you started with?” Miss Karen asked.
