I shake off that thought. This is my deceased wife’s child, after all. I shouldn’t be looking her up and down like some lech because Rochelle would turn over in her grave if she knew. What kind of husband am I?
“Um, hi,” I stammer awkwardly. “This is a surprise. It’s nice to see you.”
One eyebrow raises.
“Is it?” Selena asks delicately.
I nod.
“Yes. As Rochelle’s daughter, you’re always welcome here. You know that.”
The gorgeous woman shifts uncomfortably and a shadow crosses her face.
“Thanks, Mr. Quinn,” she says in a low voice. “I appreciate your welcome.”
An uncomfortable silence hangs in the air between us and I take a deep breath.
“Can I get you a water? Or coffee?” I ask. “I also have juice.”
Selena shakes her head, her brown curls bouncing.
“No, I’m okay actually. Thanks though.”
Another awkward silence ensues, and I take a seat on the couch across from her.
“Well,” I say in an even tone. “This is an unexpected surprise, so we might as well get to it. What can I do for you, sweetheart? I’m all ears.”
Hopefully, I’m not coming off as impatient, but the tightness in my groin makes it imperative to move things along. Thank God Selena doesn’t realize how attracted I am because she’d probably run screaming for the hills if she knew.
But the beautiful brunette takes a deep breath, her generous bosom rising before looking up and meeting my eyes.
“It’s actually funny that you say that,” she starts in a low tone. “I am here for a reason.”
I grin lazily.
“Most people are,” is my drawl as I lean back, stretching one muscular arm across the back of the sofa. “So shoot.”
Again, I have to believe that she’s here to ask for money, or maybe she wants me to be a reference for a new job. Obviously, the reference would be a lie because I have no past interactions with my stepdaughter to speak of. In fact, we hardly know one another. But the name Clancy Quinn means something in this city, and everyone knows it.
Selena bites her lip nervously as I wait for her to begin.
“Well, you know I’ve been working at Interwoven for the past two years,” she begins, and I nod, although I hadn’t been aware.
“What do you guys sell again?” I ask casually.
“High end women’s clothing,” she replies. “The shop’s on the Upper West Side. But business hasn’t been the best lately with the pandemic and all. No one seems to buy thousand-dollar trench coats or fancy silk scarves anymore. Everyone wants sweat suits and sneakers,” she says with a smile.
Selena has a sense of humor and I chuckle.
“Okay, got it. But how can I help?” I ask, leaning forward. “Does the store need a loan? I’d think they’d go to the bank for that.”
Selena shakes her head.
“No, it’s a bit more complicated. The store has been struggling to move merchandise, and the manager didn’t want to downsize inventory. Something about cash already spent and storage capacity. I’m not totally sure.”
I nod.
“Okay. It’s a strategic decision, but that makes sense.”
She takes a big breath then.
“Yes, but what it means is that there have been layoffs. Lots of them. Honestly, I don’t know how they’re even planning on running the store with the staff they have left.”
I pause for a moment.
“And I take it you were one of the unlucky people that got laid off?”
Selena nods, ashamed, while staring at the carpet.
“Yes. I lost my job. Even though I’ve been at Interwoven for two years, I was one of the most recent hires. Everyone else has been there at least five years, and most of them have families too. So I got the chopping block.”
I grimace. “That sucks. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I know it must hurt to lose a job you enjoy.” I can see the pain in her eyes—she’d hoped for a career in merchandising, and this was likely a good place to start. Selena nods hesitantly.
“Thank you. But what this means is that I’m in a bit of a tight spot now right now.”
I gear myself up for the ask.
“Would you like me to put in a good word for you somewhere? Help you find a new job?”
She shakes her head. “Nothing like that. I can find a job myself, thanks. It just takes time.”
“Okay, then. Money? You’re looking for a loan?”
She pauses for a moment and then shakes her head. “No because let’s be honest. I probably would never be able to pay you back, Clancy, so I’d be in debt to you forever.” I pause, wondering what comes next. What kind of help could she possibly want? Selena takes another deep breath then and meets my eyes. “Actually, I’m here to ask if I could stay here for a bit. In your apartment, I mean.”
My jaw drops. My stepdaughter wants to live here? In my penthouse, in a bedroom just down the hall from mine? No fucking way. I’ve lived alone for fifteen years now, and I like my privacy. I’m not exactly searching for a roommate, and especially not when she’s a nubile, innocent young girl.