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Raising my hand, I beg of her to stop. “Hamptons?”
“Your schedule has been cleared until Wednesday. All relevant members of the board have been notified that your attendance is required in Manhattan, and all matters are to be dealt with from the New York office. IT infrastructure has been fast-tracked and due for completion tomorrow. The Preston’s project is on schedule, and Victoria has not requested any meetings until Thursday next week for which I have flights on standby.”
My jaw drops, leaving me completely speechless. So, wait, Kate planned it so I can leave? I don’t know whether I should fire or hug her right now. I rub my chin, unable to process everything she’s just told me. The image of Charlotte in a bikini in The Hamptons is enough for me to make my decision.
“Go… be with her,” she says in a low but dominant voice.
Without any hesitation, I exit the room to be met by Victoria blocking my way. “You’re not leaving,” she hisses.
“Victoria. If you’ll excuse me, I have clients to mingle with.”
“I heard it all, Lex. So what? You almost blew a fifty-million-dollar deal for a woman?”
“My personal life is of no concern to you,” I warn her.
“Well, it kind of is, if it affects Preston Enterprises.” She softens, and for a moment, I think there might be a compassionate Victoria hidden somewhere.
She places her arms around my neck as we stand in front of the door. As she purrs my name, I reach for her hands, attempting to pull them off before she tightens her grip.
“C’mon, Lex, we could be so good together. You and me, we’d be unstoppable. I know you want me. You’ve always wanted me. You want control, and Preston Enterprises merged with Lexed would be your dream come true.”
I place my hands on her hips for a brief moment. “Victoria, perhaps you misunderstand me. I’m not interested, and the next time you want to act like an overbearing shrew, I’m more than happy to inform Daddy that his precious princess fucked his best friend last year in the back of his Merc, which was the only reason Preston Enterprises won that major tender.” With a satisfied smirk, I cup her chin. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a speech to make.”
I leave her standing there, mouth wide open, stunned at my words. Yeah, it’s times like this it pays to have a private investigator on hand. Victoria is knee-deep in any dick she can get her hands on, and Daddy has no clue his princess is a little slut.
I deliver my speech and follow all the instructions Kate gives me. Two hours later, I’m sitting on the plane on my way to see her.
It may have only been ten days, but it’s the longest ten days of my life. Closing my eyes, I think about seeing her again, about being honest, and telling her exactly what I want.
No more friend’s bullshit.
It’s time to give us a chance.
The ache inside my chest can no longer be ignored. I know this ache very well. It’s telling me I’m still in love with her, but this time I’m not going to lose her.
No hidden messages, not through a song.
I want the words to leave my lips, watch her face as the words ‘I love you’ leave my mouth and maybe, if I’m the luckiest guy who walks this earth, I’ll hear those words said in return.
Three simple words to seal our fate.
CHARLIE
We brought in a new major client this week and are inundated with work.
The custody case is messy—two children, a same-sex couple, and sperm donor to add to the mix.
I’m barely functioning, juggling meetings and getting through my caseload, not to mention court hearings. When Friday rolls around I’m beyond exhausted.
As I begin shutting down my laptop and praising the Lord for it being Friday
, Julian walks into my office, unannounced. “Charlie.” He doesn’t call me gorgeous, nor is his tone inviting. Meeting his gaze, I instantly notice the dark circles around his eyes and slightly unkempt hair.
“Julian,” I say with a smile.
I stand and walk over, embracing him which seems like the right thing to do. He allows me to hug him before pulling my arms off him.
“Where have you been?”
