“You all do very important work.” The corners of her mouth curved upward. “Your parents must be very proud.”
“They seem to be. So, what are you going to do now?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll figure something out.” She sighed.
“You can stay at the house again tonight to think about things. It’s not a problem.”
“Thanks, Stefan. I appreciate that, but Lily may feel differently about it.”
“You let me worry about my daughter. In fact, I’m going to call a therapist tomorrow morning and set up an appointment.”
“Can I get you two anything else?” Patty asked.
“Do you want anything?” I asked Alex.
“No. I’m good. Thanks.”
“You two have a nice day.” She set the check down and walked away.
Grabbing it, I pulled my wallet from my pocket, took out some cash and threw it down on the table. We both got up from our seats and climbed into the Jeep.
“May I ask about your parents?” I glanced over at her as we drove down the road.
“My mom died when I was seven, and it was just me and my dad.”
“I’m sorry. Can’t you give him a call and he can help you out?”
She let out a laugh.
“I left home when I was eighteen and I haven’t been back since.”
“You did?” I asked with furrowed brows.
“Like I said earlier, that’s another story for another time. I haven’t spoken to or seen my father in seven years.”
“He didn’t—”
“No. Nothing like that. Let’s just say he didn’t and won’t win any Father of the Year awards in his lifetime.”
“Neither will Lily’s mother. That’s for sure.”
“Does she ask about her?” Alex asked.
“No. She hasn’t mentioned her in years. She was three when she left, so I’m not even sure she remembers her.”
When I pulled into Sam’s driveway, I noticed his car was still gone.
“They must still be out,” I said as we climbed out of the jeep.
Walking to the back, I opened the door and took out Alex’s suitcases. She took one from me and we wheeled them back to my house.
“You know, I’ll get a room somewhere. It’s not a good idea that I stay here again tonight.”
“You have no money, remember?” I smirked. “Just don’t worry about Lily. It’s my house and you’re welcome to stay the night.”
We took her suitcases up to the guestroom.
“I’m going to lie down for a while. I’m really tired,” she said.
“Okay. I’ll be around if you need anything.”
I shut the door, went into the kitchen and grabbed a beer from the refrigerator. Taking it out on the patio, I took a seat and stared out at the calm water.
“I saw you and Alex walk up to the house,” Simon said as he walked over. “What happened?”
“If I give you a phone number, can you check into it for me?”
“Depends. What happened in Oceanside?”
“She was coming here to meet the guy she’d met online three months ago.
“Shit.” Simon shook his head. “Let me guess, he gave her some bogus address.”
“Yep. Not to mention that when she stopped for gas halfway to California, someone stole her purse out of her car which had an envelope full of cash she had saved.”
“Did she report it?”
“Nah., I don’t think so.” I brought the bottle up to my lips.
“Why do you want me to check out this number?”
“Because I want to know who the guy really is.”
“Give it to me and I’ll do some digging and see what I can find out.”
I pulled my phone from my pocket and sent him Ryan’s number.
“Thanks, Simon.”
“So now what?”
“I don’t know. I told her she could stay the night to figure things out.”
“You think that’s a good idea?”
“I can’t just turn her loose with no money, no place to stay, and no car. But I need you to check her out for me.”
“What’s her last name?” Simon asked.
“Clark. Alessandra Clark from Ohio.”
“Consider it done, brother.”
“Thanks.”
“What about Lily? You see how she reacts when she’s here.”
“I’ll deal with Lily.”
“What’s going on over here?” Sebastian asked as he walked up. “Talking shit without me?”
“Sit your ass down.” I patted the seat on the other side of me.
I told him everything I’d told Simon and he sat there and shook his head.
“What the fuck is wrong with people?” he asked.
I looked over and saw Sam, Julia, and Lily heading towards us.
“Hey, baby girl.” I reached my arm out to her. “Did you have fun with Uncle Sam and Aunt Julia?”
“Yeah. I’m going to go in the house.”
“Okay, but I need you to be quiet. Alex is taking a nap.”
She stared into my eyes as an angry look crossed her face.
“Don’t you dare.” I pointed at her.
“You said she was leaving,” she spoke through gritted teeth.
“And now she’s back. End of discussion.”
“I don’t want her here!” She opened the sliding door and slammed it shut.
“That’s it.” I went to get up from my seat and Simon pulled me back down.
“Leave it alone for now.”
“I’m calling a therapist first thing in the morning.”
“I think that’s a good idea, Stefan,” Julia spoke.
“How about we meet at my house in a couple of hours, and we can grill some burgers and dogs?” Sebastian said. “Invite, Alex.”
“Thanks, brother. I will. Hey, Julia. I was thinking, do you think you could hire Alex to work at the coffee shop?”
“I don’t have any positions open right now, but I’m sure I can find her something to do. What skills does she have?”
“I honestly don’t have a clue. She needs a job, and she needs somewhere to stay.”
“She can stay at my place for a while,” Sebastian said. “I’m always at the restaurant anyway.”
“Then if Julia hires her, she can walk to the shop,” Sam said.
“Let me check this girl out first,” Simon spoke. “You honestly don’t know who you might be dealing with.”
Chapter 8
Alex
The slamming of the sliding door woke me up, as did the slamming of the door across the hall. Lily didn’t want me here, and the last thing I wanted to do was make her uncomfortable. So, I looked up shelters not too far away, called an Uber and grabbed my suitcases. I quietly stepped out of the bedroom and looked around for Stefan. That’s when I noticed he and his brothers were all sitting on the patio talking. Grabbing my suitcases, I picked them up and carried them down the stairs and to the front door to avoid the sound of the wheels on the wood floor. I got lucky because there was an Uber in the area, and he’d be here in less than five minutes. When the car pulled up to the curb, I carefully opened the front door, grabbed my bags and took them to the car. I cringed when the driver saw me, stepped out of his car to help and slammed his door shut. Shit.