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“Either way, I know none of that is true. Everett isn’t to blame for the fire. Or for the money we lost because of the fire.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Technically, for every project we take on, we have to have temporary homeowner’s insurance. Our company has an umbrella policy, and the homeowner’s insurance shores up any holes that might turn up. Everett’s usually in charge of that, but he dropped the ball with his one mansion. He didn’t take insurance out on it because it was only supposed to take us th
ree, maybe four weeks to patch up the issues before putting it on the market.”
“So, you blame Everett for the money you guys have lost when the mansion burned down,” I said.
“I think he blames himself more than any of us blame him. It’s caused some issues, yes. But every businessman makes oversights. Especially with all the responsibility Everett takes on. I’m surprised the man isn’t a weeping ball of stress every night.”
“He’s stronger than you take him for,” I said.
“And honestly? I’ve got no dog in this fight, anyway. Every spare ounce of my time has been spent with Jessica, so I’ve got no right to accuse him of spending time he doesn't have with a woman he obviously likes.”
I felt myself blush as Lucas’ words.
“But anyway, I wanted to come over and apologize. I don’t know what the hell came over my father with how he treated you, but neither of us had the right to act that way. I’m sorry, Andrea. I’m sorry that I came at you with that kind of frustration and anger,” Lucas said.
“Make sure you apologize to Everett, too. I can't imagine how much you’ve hurt him,” I said.
I watched him nod before he turned to Jessica and took her hands within his.
“Jess, I’m sorry for all of this. For putting you in the middle. For forcing you to turn on your closest friend. For using that information like a total asshole. I’m not perfect, and I know it’s something I have to work on. But I promise you, my family won’t ever come between us again. Business won’t, my father won’t. Nothing ever will. It’s been a very stressful time in my family’s life, and in our business life. And I’m not dealing with it well,” Lucas said.
I watched Jessica reach up and cup his face.
“We’ll get through it, okay?” she asked. “But don’t you dare ever call one of my best friends a bad word ever again. Or I’ll end this in a minute. My girls are off limits.”
I grinned and looked down to the floor as Lucas sighed with relief.
“Of course they are. I’m so sorry,” he whispered.
“Come here. Give me a kiss,” Jessica said.
I gave them the privacy they needed as I lost myself in my own mind. I didn’t really know what to do. As Jessica stood there with Lucas in my apartment, the only thing I kept thinking was that I wished Everett was here. I wished he was here for all of this. I wished he was here so he could kiss me. I wanted to be with him. To be next to him. To spend time with him.
I wanted to be with Everett Wilder.
But it was clear that his family didn’t want me with him.
With the way his father reacted and the fact that his father wasn’t here apologizing as well spoke volumes. Lucas might be okay with everything, sort of. But his father? Not a chance. Which meant I could only assume the rest of his family felt the same way.
“Have you heard from Everett?” Lucas asked.
I shook my head and drew in a deep breath.
“Knowing him, he’s probably at his office. I could give you the address if you want it,” he said.
“With all due respect, enough addresses have been flung for one day,” I said.
All of us shared a small laugh before I heaved a heavy sigh.
“What is it?” Jessica asked.
“It’s nothing,” I said.
“I know that look,” Lucas said.
