Come Undone by Jessica Hawkins Page A

moment to
gulp down my water.
    “I
know kiddo, but maybe they’ll give it to you early. Just keep thinking about
the next step. Whatever’s going to catch his eye. Waiter!” he called, motioning
at someone across the room.
    “It’s
only been a month.”
    “Doesn’t
matter, Olivia. Keep your eye on the prize, never say ‘no’ and make sure the
boss sees you working hard – can we get some more water here?” he
instructed the waiter. “Given anymore thought to moving to New York? Isn’t that
where the top publications are?”
    “Well,
yes,” I started.
    “We’ve
discussed it,” Bill interjected, glancing at me. “But it’s just not the right
move for us. This job is still new for me, and we love Chicago. Plus, my family
is here.”
    I
watched my dad inhale heavily before continuing. “Well how about Dallas then?
I’d love to have her closer. Bill, I have plenty of friends in the area who own
firms. Or maybe you want to think about starting your own. Dallas is a great
place for that.”
    I
resisted the urge to cover Bill’s hand with mine while he played with his fork.
“Perhaps, sir, I’ll keep that in mind.”
    “Oh
no you won’t, Bobby Ewing. We like Chicago, Dad. You know that we’re looking
for a house. And I really want this promotion.”
    “I
just want you to think big, baby,” he replied.
    “Did
I tell you that Lucy’s getting married?”
    He
grunted. “What about Gretchen? When’s she going to settle down?”
    “Oh,
she’s holding out for Kyle Korver,” I said with a laugh.
    “Who?”
    “Used
to play for the Bulls,” Bill offered. “He’s married though.”
    “I’d
like to see her meet someone nice.”
    “Well,
it may be a while,” Bill joked.
    “Why’s
that? She’s a great girl, very smart, unlike that deadbeat brother of hers.”
    “John
isn’t a deadbeat,” I said with conviction.
    “I
agree, sir, I’m not a fan of that kid.”
    “Kid,
honey, he’s a year younger than you. Anyway, Dad, Gretchen’s doing fine, she’s
just having fun playing the field. She wanted to come tonight but couldn’t get
out of a work thing.”
    “I
just hope she doesn’t turn into her mother. She can do better. How about you,
Bill? Things are good at Specter & Specter?”
    “Absolutely.
I’m on a few cases at the moment, one is pretty high profile. They’re keeping
me busy.”
    I
studied the two of them. Next to my dad, Bill seemed . . . lankier than usual.
He was a few inches taller and not nearly as robust looking.
    “Good
to hear it,” my dad said. “Waiter! Jesus, do they not want us to order? Get
whatever you want honey, dinner is on me. How’s the market around here anyway,
Bill? I don’t want Olivia ending up with some bum property.”
    “We’re
being very thorough, sir.”
    Something
flashed across my dad’s face as he examined Bill, but the approaching waiter
caught his attention.
    “What’s
new with the divorce?” I asked after we’d ordered.
    “Finalized
next week.”
    “That’s
good news,” I said. “I don’t imagine Gina is easy to divorce.”
    “Certainly
not,” he said, leaning back into his seat for the first time. “But nobody is,
in my experience.”
    ~
    “That was
exhausting,” Bill said.
    “It
usually is.”
    “That
man spoils you, Liv. I hope you don’t expect that from me.”
    I
laughed. “I’m his only child.”
    “Yeah,
and you love it. He would give you that car if you asked.”
    “Maybe.
But you saw how he nagged me about work.”
    “He
thinks you can do better. In all aspects of your life.”
    “Oh,
stop with that,” I said, shaking my head at him. “He likes you.”
    “I’m
so glad that, after almost five years together, your father likes me.”
    “He’s
your father now too, so watch it,” I said with a smile. “Let’s go get ice
cream. My treat.”
    “Ice
cream,” he cringed, rubbing his stomach. “I’m stuffed. I just want to go home.”
    “Please?”
I asked. “I’ll be quick.”
    “No
Livs, the