I hate her. I hate the ground she walks on. I hate the air she breathes. But more than anything, I hate how I don’t actually hate her at all.
If you loved me enough, it wouldn’t have even been a question. You would have done everything in your power to hold onto me. You didn’t. So while you may have convinced yourself that I’m the one who broke your heart, maybe you should take a moment and ask yourself why you didn’t ask me to stay.
So what if she made herself clear...
Why didn’t I ask her to say?
Why didn’t I fight for her?
Have I spent the last seven years blaming the wrong person?
Could I have prevented all of this?
My stomach sours at the thought, and I’m quick to push it away.
“I appreciate your concern,” I say directly to Alec. “I will try to do better. And I will talk to Cat as well.”
It kills me to be the bigger person when all I really want to do is dig in my heels and continue to deny any fault in the current predicament I find myself in, but not even I can convince myself that I’m free of at least some guilt.
An awkward silence falls over the table.
“So.” Mom clears her throat. “How much longer will London be working for you?”
“You mean, if she comes back at all.” Alec can’t stop himself from chiming back in.
“Why wouldn’t she come back?”
“She’ll be with us eight more weeks at most. I expect Janet to want to come back sooner rather than later, especially since I’ve already told her she can bring the baby to work with her.”
“You think that’s a good idea?”
“She spends most days in the office. There’s plenty of room for a swing or playpen or whatever she needs. I don’t see why it would be an issue.”
“Except that a screaming infant isn’t exactly conducive to being able to get work done,” Walker interjects.
“She’ll make do. I’m not worried about that.”
“I was talking about you.” He clarifies.
“Don’t worry, he’s already getting tons of practice with staying out of the office,” Alec chimes in, smiling at me so I know he’s just busting my balls.
“If you like, I can move my office to your boat. Keep you company,” I warn.
“Come on aboard, brother. Though I doubt the boys will give you a moment’s peace.”
“On second thought...” I grin, the earlier tension melting away.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” Alec laughs and it’s as if all is forgotten.
That’s how it is with brothers. One minute, you’re at each other’s throats; the next, you’re laughing and cutting it up like nothing happened.
If only dealing with London Voss could be so simple...
CHAPTER TEN
London
“Hey!” I hear someone call out as I make my way up the dock. Turning, I see a familiar face jogging toward me.
