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Images of the two of them huddled together, the way they communicated almost without speaking sometimes, hugging, kissing cheeks. My father beaming at her with love I thought was the kind he felt for Drew and me.
My brother stood and put a hand on my shoulder. “You see it now, don’t you?”
No. I didn’t see it at all. I didn’t want to see it.
“If she and Dad”—I swallowed the rest of that sentence down and pumped the stress ball a little faster—“then why would she screw with the company like it appears she did?”
He shrugged. “The evidence is pretty damning. She never should have been CEO.”
“She was the right person,” I insisted, irritated he’d think otherwise and that I’d even entertained the idea of this nonsense he was spewing. “And there’s no way she and Dad are having an affair. You have to be mistaken.”
“Ask Holly.”
More thoughts of Mulaney and my father inundated me. Drew was clouding my judgment, trying to make me see things in a different way when I knew better.
“I have to go,” I said, feeling disoriented as I stumbled toward the door.
“I’m sorry, Easton. I know you like her.”
Like her? That didn’t even begin to cover it.
* * *
“Mr. Carter?Miss Jacobs isn’t here.” Mulaney’s assistant stood in the doorway, looking as dishelved as I felt.
“I’m here to speak to you.”
“Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter.” A streak flashed from behind Holly and appeared at her side.
I held up my hand, and we high-fived. “Hey, Gabriel. How’s the new place?”
“It’s awesome. Wanna see my new room?”
The longing for kids intensified as I witnessed his innocence. I’d missed out on this because I’d been too busy.
“I’d like that.”
“Baby, give us a minute and then you can show him,” Holly said. “Come in.” She opened the door wider so I could step inside.
Gabriel bolted toward the back of the apartment.
“I know you’re trying to get settled—”
“We didn’t bring much, but I appreciate the day to get acclimated. I’ll be at work tomorrow.”
“Is there something going on between Mulaney and my father?” The question had gnawed at me since I’d left Drew’s. He wouldn’t lie to me, and even though I knew in my gut it couldn’t be true, I was here instead of going home.
Holly darted her eyes in the direction her son had gone and back to me. “Shouldn’t you ask her?”
She wrung her hands, her cheeks turning pink. Where was the definitive no I’d been expecting?
“I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.” I pulled at my tie. “I-I need to know.”
Something on her face turned to pity. “They spend a lot of time together.”
“That wasn’t what I asked.”
“Please don’t make me answer,” she pleaded.
