What If You Read online

  “Why the hell was he?”

  “He’s happy you’re happy, and he refuses to leave and go find peace.”

  “When was the last time you saw him?” His eye narrowed at me.

  “At my house in Rhode Island. The night you came to apologize, and we watched The Bachelorette.”

  “And you didn’t tell me?”

  “Did you really want me to, Asher?”

  “Yeah. It would have been nice. It kind of pisses me off that my girlfriend talks to my dead father,” he spoke in an aggravated tone.

  “Well, I’m sorry. But I have no control over that.”

  “Yeah, right.” He walked out of the bathroom. “I need to go finished getting dressed. I suggest you hurry it up, so we aren’t late.”

  I was enraged and the moment he walked out of the bathroom, I slammed the door shut. How dare he.

  “UGH!” I screamed.

  After I was done applying my makeup and putting my hair up in an elegant style with a few soft curls hanging down, I slowly opened the bathroom door and looked around the room to make sure he was gone. Pulling my dress from the hook in the closet, I removed it from the garment bag and slipped into it. I twisted every which way to try and get the zipper zipped all the way, but it wasn’t working.

  “UGH!” I shouted.

  Whatever. I didn’t care.

  As I was digging through my jewelry box to find my diamond earrings my grandmother had bought me when I turned twenty-one, Asher walked into the bedroom.

  “Wow. You look absolutely stunning.”

  “Go away,” I said.

  “Do you need help with your zipper? It’s only zipped halfway.”

  “That’s the new look. Didn’t you hear?”

  He walked over to me and zipped me up as I put in my earrings.

  “I’m sorry, Everly. It just makes me angry that he won’t leave. I shouldn’t have yelled at you or said what I did. I didn’t mean it, baby.” He turned me around, so I was facing him.

  “Fine. I accept your apology.” I looked down.

  “Are you sure?” He placed his finger under my chin and lifted it, so I was looking at him.

  “I love you, Everly.”

  “I love you too, you big dummy.”

  The corners of his mouth curved upward as he walked over to his dresser drawer, pulled out a long velvet blue box and handed it to me.

  “I bought you something.”

  “You did.” I grinned. “What is it?”

  “Open it and find out.”

  I slowly lifted the lid and gasped when I saw the beautiful white gold diamond bracelet sitting inside.

  “Asher.” I brought my hand up to my mouth. “Oh my God. It’s gorgeous.”

  “Here. Let me put it on you.”

  He removed the bracelet from the box and put it around my wrist.

  “It looks perfect with that dress,” he spoke.

  “It’ll look perfect with anything.”

  “It’s not too heavy is it?”

  “No. Why?”

  “It’s 7 carats total weight.”

  “I love you so much. Thank you.” I kissed his lips.

  “You’re welcome, and I love you. I’m going to have to keep a close eye on you tonight.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’ll be the most beautiful woman there and people are going to be staring. Especially men.”

  “Stop it.” I grinned as I could feel the heat rise in my cheeks.

  “I’m not kidding. Are you almost ready to go?”

  “I’m ready now. I just have to grab my evening bag.”

  Damn, did he look sexy in that tuxedo. He looked exactly like he did in my dreams.

  The fundraiser was being held at The Remington in the grand ballroom. When we arrived, some of the guests were already there. Waiters and waitresses walked around with champagne on their trays with some o’dourves. Over in the corner sat a long table with platters of meat, different cheeses, caviar and a variety of crackers. There had to be at least ten different types of olives, as well as fruit trays and vegetable trays.

  “I’ll be right back. I have to go check on something,” Asher said as he kissed my cheek.

  Pulling my phone from my purse, I sent Daniel a text message.

  “Where are you?”

  “We just pulled up.”

  As I walked out to the lobby, they had just walked in.

  “Damn, Everly. You look beautiful.” Daniel smiled as he kissed my cheek.

  “You’re looking pretty dapper yourself in that suit.” I grinned. “Look at you!” I gave Diana a hug. “You look gorgeous.”

  “Not as gorgeous as—Oh my God! Where did you get this?!” she exclaimed as she grabbed my wrist.

  “Asher gave it to me today.”

  “It’s beautiful and expensive.”

  “It’s 7 carats,” I whispered.

  “Man, he has good taste,” Diana said as she slapped Daniel on the arm.

  “Hey. We have a baby on the way. I can’t afford to buy you one of those.”

  The three of us walked into the ballroom and Asher came walking over.

  “There you are. I was looking for you.”

  “Sorry. I met Daniel and Diana in the lobby.”

  Asher said hello to everyone, and I grabbed another glass of champagne. I was feeling a bit nervous as I looked around. I’d had another dream last night about the man in the white face mask.

  “You seem nervous,” Asher spoke as he placed his hand on the small of my back. “Sweetheart, trust me, nobody is getting in this place wearing a white face mask.”

  “I know. It’s just it doesn’t make sense.”

  “Try to forget about it and have a good time.”

  Diana, Daniel, and I walked over to the table where the food was.

  “Thank God. I’m starving,” Diana said as she grabbed a cracker.

  We stood by the table and talked for a bit until Diana had to use the ladies’ room and Daniel went up to the bar to get a drink. I was standing there alone until I heard Asher’s voice from behind.

  “Everly, sweetheart.”

  Turning around, I saw Asher, another man, and a woman standing there.

  “I’d like you to meet Richard Winters and his wife Christina. Richard, Christina, this is my girlfriend, Everly.”

  “It’s so nice to meet you.” Christina smiled as she extended her hand. “It’s nice to meet you as well.”

  “I feel like I already know you from the way both Diana and Asher talk about you.” Richard grinned as he extended his hand.

  Placing my hand in his, I looked down at his watch and scenes from the past started to flip through my head. My breathing became restricted and I needed to calm the fuck down for Asher’s sake. Not tonight. Not tonight. I could barely breathe as my dream was becoming reality.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Richard.” I gave him an unsure smile. “If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I need to use the ladies’ room.”

  Asher stared at me because he knew something wasn’t right, and I could see the fear in his eyes. Casually walking out of the ballroom, I felt like I could breathe again once I hit the lobby.

  “What the hell is going on?” Asher asked as he followed me.

  “Nothing. I’m on my way to the ladies’ room.”

  “Don’t fucking lie to me, Everly. Come on.” He grabbed my hand and led me to the elevator.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Up to my suite so you can tell me whatever it is you saw and then we can get back to the goddamn fundraiser!” he spoke in a loud voice.

  He swiped the keycard, opened the door and flipped on the lights. The shutting of the door behind me startled me.

  “Okay. Lay it on me.” He held out his arms. “What did you see about Richard? What the fuck do I need to know about him?”

  “Stop yelling at me!” I shouted.

  “One night, Everly. One damn night. My night.” He pointed to himself. “What did he do? C
heat on his wife? Is he out to screw me? Did he murder someone? WHAT!” he shouted.

  “I think he’s my FATHER!” I shouted back.

  Asher’s jaw dropped as he stared at me from across the room.

  “What?” His brow furrowed.

  “I saw him with my mother. She was going to tell him that night she was pregnant, but then they got into an argument and she told him she never wanted to see him again.”

  “My God, Everly.” He walked over to where I stood and pulled me into an embrace. “I’ll have Damien take you home if you want.”

  “No. I’m fine. This is your night and I’m staying. I can deal with this tomorrow. I didn’t want to tell you tonight. But you’re so damn stubborn, Mr. Remington.”

  “I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry. I really need to fucking think before I speak.”

  “I’m fine.” I took in a deep breath. “But, yeah, you do.”

  “They’re sitting at our table. I can arrange for them to sit elsewhere.”

  “No. Don’t go changing anything. I’ll be fine. I promise. He’s the guy from my dream, Asher. I recognized his watch.”

  “We’re going to get through this.” He held my face in his hands. “I promise.”

  “I hope so.”

  40

  Asher

  I couldn’t believe it. Guilt rose up inside me for the way I treated her. We walked back down to the ballroom and the moment we stepped inside, Diana came running over.

  “Where were you?”

  “We just couldn’t help ourselves, so we had a quickie in the suite.” Everly smiled as she gave me a wink.

  “Oh. Okay then.” Diana grinned.

  I was worried. Not about tonight, but what was yet to come. Richard was an amazing guy, and we were becoming friends. I trusted him and now my girlfriend just may be his daughter. Did he know about her and abandon her? Or maybe he never knew her mother was pregnant. Everly did say her mother was going to tell him that night.

  We took our seat at the table across from Richard and Christina. I kept a close eye on Everly to make sure she was okay.

  “So, Everly. I hear you’re a life coach?” Richard spoke.

  “I am.”

  “I should hire you for my oldest daughter, Emily. She could use some life coaching right now.”

  “How old is she?” Everly asked.

  “She just turned twenty and has no idea what she wants to do with her life. It’s a constant battle with her.”

  “She has time to figure it out.”

  “Now my eighteen-year-old, Laurel, is all set to attend NYU to get her MBA. She has her life all planned out, and we couldn’t be prouder of her.” He smiled.

  The last thing Everly wanted to hear was about her two sisters, so I changed the conversation quickly to business, and I could tell she was grateful. When it was time, I got up on the stage, welcomed and thanked everyone for coming and gave my speech. When I was finished, I sat down next to Everly and we enjoyed a nice dinner. Once dinner was over, I needed to go mix and mingle with the guests. Everly stayed by my side and I was proud to introduce her to everyone as my girlfriend.

  “I’m going to head over to the dessert table,” she spoke. “Do you want anything?”

  “I’m good for now. But go ahead. Are you doing okay?”

  “I’m doing fine. Stop worrying about me.” She kissed my lips.

  “I’m afraid I can’t do that.” I smiled at her.

  The band started to play Unchained Melody, so I walked over to the dessert table, grabbed Everly’s hand and led her to the dance floor.

  “What are you doing?” she asked with a smile on her face.

  “I’m dancing with my beautiful girlfriend.” I stared into her eyes. “Tell me what going on in that pretty little head of yours?”

  “I don’t know, Asher. I’m just so confused.”

  “I know, baby. But I’m here for you, and I promise I always will be.” I brushed my lips against hers. “We’ll figure this out.”

  When we arrived home, we immediately went upstairs to get ready for bed. After I was done using the bathroom, I came out and saw Everly sitting on the edge of the bed holding a picture in her hand.

  “What are you doing?” I asked as I sat down next to her.

  She handed me the picture without saying a word.

  “Is this you and your mom?”

  “Yeah.” She nodded and I saw a tear stream down her face.

  “Baby, what’s wrong?” I hooked my arm around her.

  “I’m just so mad at her.”

  “Why? Because of your father?”

  “That and because she was so weak!” she spoke in an angry tone as she stood up from the bed. “She ran from everything. She drank herself to death, abused pills, and she was an unfit mother! She didn’t even say goodbye.” She placed her face in her hands and began to cry.”

  I got up from the bed and wrapped my arms around her. I hated seeing her like this and I felt helpless.

  “She never said goodbye, Asher.”

  “I know, sweetheart.” I held her tightly against me.

  “The one person in the world I wanted to see, and she couldn’t even bother.”

  “Did your grandmother ever see her?”

  “No.” She shook her head as she broke our embrace. “At least that’s what she always told me.”

  I walked over to the nightstand, grabbed a couple tissues and handed them to her.

  “Now you know I have mommy issues,” she said as she blew her nose.

  “Maybe she was ashamed for how she lived her life and just couldn’t face you.”

  “I don’t care. She was still my mom and I loved her.”

  I grabbed hold of her hand and led her to the bed. After we both climbed in, I pulled her into me. All I wanted to do was heal her and protect her.

  “I love you so much, baby. I don’t ever want you to doubt that. Even when I act like an asshole sometimes.”

  “I know, and I love you too, Asher.”

  Everly

  I sat on the terrace and watched the sunrise as I held a cup of coffee between my hands. Asher was still asleep because he’d been up with me most of the night. I didn’t know what to do. Should I tell Richard? If I did, it would disrupt his life. From the little bit I talked to him and his wife, I could see they were wonderful people. Richard already had a family, and he didn’t need me complicating things.

  “Life can be very complicated at times.”

  “Not now, Curtis.” I brought the cup up to my lips.

  “He has a right to know he has another daughter, Everly. And you have the right to get to know your father. He was kept from you for twenty-eight years, and now he’s right here working for my son and the man you love.”

  “I don’t want to cause problems.”

  “No, darling. The truth is you’re scared of rejection. You’re afraid of being rejected like you’ve been your whole life.”

  “No, I’m not.” I glanced over at him.

  “Yes, you are.”

  “Please tell me you’re talking to yourself,” Asher spoke as he stepped out on the terrace and kissed the top of my head.

  “Unfortunately, no. Curtis was just here.”

  “Again? What did he want this time?”

  “He was just telling me things I know but didn’t want to hear.”

  “He was always good at that,” Asher said.

  I looked over at him and gave him a small smile as I reached my over and grabbed his hand.

  “What?” He smiled back.

  “Why are you being so calm about Curtis being here?”

  “Because my father is a pain in the ass and he’s not going anywhere until he’s ready. That’s how it’s always been with him. If he was still alive, he’d still be doing what he’s doing.”

  I gave him a smile as I gently squeezed his hand.

  “You need to tell Richard who you are, Everly. If you want my honest opinion, I think he’ll take it well. He’s a good m
an. And you really have no choice.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because it’ll be awkward for me working with him knowing he’s your father and he doesn’t have a clue.”

  “You know this will affect you, and that’s the last thing I want. I don’t want to cause any issues for you at all.”

  “Stop worrying about me. You need to do what’s right for you. You deserve to get to know your father and he has the right to know he has another daughter.”

  “You sound like your father.” I smirked and he let out a sigh.

  41

  One Week Later

  Everly

  “I’m so nervous, Asher.”

  “I know you are, baby, but don’t be. I’m right here with you.” He squeezed my hand as we took the elevator up to the tenth floor.

  Asher knocked on the door of apartment 10D, and Christina opened it with a bright smile.

  “Come in. Welcome to our home. It’s good to see you again, Everly.” Christina gave me a light hug.

  “Thank you, Christina.”

  “There you two are.” Richard grinned as he stepped into the foyer.

  He shook Asher’s hand and gave me a light hug. “It’s good to see you again, Everly. Shall we?” He gestured to the living room. “Asher, can I get you a bourbon?”

  “That sounds wonderful, Richard.”

  “Everly?”

  “No thank you. I’m good for now.”

  Asher and I took a seat on the couch. Sitting on the coffee table was a delicious looking charcuterie board.

  “Are your daughter’s home?”

  “No. They went out with some friends,” Christina spoke. “Are you sure I can’t get you something to drink? We just got this new bottle of wine from Italy and I’ve been saving it for a special occasion.”

  “You know what? That sounds good.” I smiled.

  I noticed Richard kept staring at me. He tried to be discreet about it, but he wasn’t very good at it. Somehow, I had a feeling he saw my mother in me. Asher noticed it to and decided to say something.

  “Are you alright, Richard. I notice you keep staring at Everly.”

  “Forgive me. It’s just you look like someone I knew a long time ago. The resemblance is uncanny.”