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“I owe you an apology.”
He appeared surprised while Mulaney seemed satisfied with my words.
“Not for anything I recall,” he said. Easton Carter was such a good man. I hated what I’d done.
“I—Remember when you asked me if Miss Jacobs and your father . . .” I darted my gaze to her, unable to finish the sentence.
“Yes?” His brows dipped, almost as if he didn’t want to believe what he knew was about to come out of my mouth.
“I didn’t confirm it, but I should’ve denied it. They would never—I’m sorry. It was wrong of me to lead you to believe otherwise.”
He stared at me for the longest time with confusion on his face. “It was inappropriate for me to have asked you in the first place.”
“No—”
“It was. I shouldn’t have put you in that position. Clearly, my head wasn’t in the right place.” He rested his hand on Mulaney’s leg.
“I almost ruined your relationship,” I cried. If I had, I’d have never forgiven myself. I’d seen the way he’d looked at her for years when he thought no one was paying attention.
“We did a fine enough job of that on our own.” He gave me a kind smile before he turned to Mulaney. “You’re awfully quiet.”
“We’ve already discussed it.” She let out a long sigh. “I’m not happy about it, but you’re right. You shouldn’t have put her in an awkward position.”
“Can we all agree to be more respectful of each other’s personal space while being honest with one another?”
My lips parted. I’d lied. Well, not exactly, but I’d led him to believe something that wasn’t true. That was a lie. I’d be so disappointed in my friends if they’d done that to me. Friends? I worked for them, but it seemed in my mind we’d crossed an invisible barrier where I’d begun to see them as more than colleagues.
“Yes, but—”
“No buts,” Mulaney said. “Let’s put this behind us.”
“Agreed.” Easton patted her thigh. I wanted to argue, tell them they didn’t have to forgive me. Then I realized I’d been stupid enough. If they were willing to let it go, I should too. “Did you ask her?”
“Yeah.”
“And you’re joining us?” Easton was hopeful as he looked at me.
“Of course. I’m thrilled to be part of your new company. Thank you. For everything.” And I was excited for the time we could move away from SPE. Hopefully it would be just the three of us.
“Glad to hear it.” He stood and offered a hand to Mulaney. “Let’s go play hopscotch.”
When he winked at her, I melted a little. The two of them had done more for Gabriel and me than anyone. They’d forgiven the unforgivable. With that login and password I’d finally taken, I just might be able to help them get to the bottom of what had happened to Carter Energy. If I got caught, the consequences were unthinkable.
I was just going to have to make sure I didn’t.
Chapter Forty-Three
Carlos
“I’d liketo continue escorting Gabriel to and from school.”
I hadn’t given Holly a choice after dinner of whether she wanted me to see the two of them back to their apartment. She hadn’t spoken a word to me since our phone conversation, not even as we’d gone through Gabriel’s bedtime routine.
“I think you’d better explain what’s with the attitude. You can start with our phone conversation.”
I gripped the back of the barstool with both hands. This was a conversation I’d rather not have. Rightly so, she’d be furious when I told her what had happened today. That I’d let danger get so close to her son.
I shuddered. Nicanor Rosca had been too close to him. We were fortunate the man still needed me. If not, we could’ve both been dead. I couldn’t live with that.
