AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Elsa clears her throat. "I think I’ll go find out what’s keeping Seb." She scoops up the girl and the cat and walks past us.
I stand there, not sure what to do. If I sit down next to her, I’ll be too close to her. And for propriety’s sake, that’s not right.
Lena watches me from under hooded eyes. I try to leave, I do. I even turn my body away, but my feet are anchored to the ground. I blow out a breath, then lower myself to the sofa, but on the opposite side from her. I keep the length of the cushions between us. There, that’s safe. I hope.
"JJ, I really am sorry for what I said earlier. I was out of line," she murmurs.
"And I’m sorry I was so unpleasant. It was a shock to open the door and find Isaac on my doorstep. I’d reconciled myself to never having him home again..."
"When was he last here?"
"He left for university, and that was it." I glance down into the depths of my glass. "It’s my fault, of course. I should have been a better parent to him and my daughter. I failed."
"There’s still time to make up for things."
"There’s too much water under the bridge. Too many things said. And unsaid. It doesn’t help that even while we were married, their mother didn’t want anything to do with them. Isaac blames me for that. He thinks I treated her wrong because of which she ignored her own kids.”
"Did you treat her wrong?"
I wince. "I wasn’t a good husband. Oh, I provided everything she and my children materially needed. But I was never around. I married her simply because I knew I needed children to further my legacy."
She draws in a sharp breath. "That’s—"
"Cold-hearted? Bloody-minded?"
"I was going to say understandable."
I turn my head to glance at her. "What do you mean?"
"That many people marry because they want a family."
"Only, I was never there emotionally for them." I take a sip of my whiskey. The flavors of oak and vanilla swirl around my palate.
"Things happen, JJ. You built this home, made sure you put a roof over their heads. I bet you sent them to the best schools, ensured their education was top-notch. If they blame you for how they turned out, then that’s their problem."
"That’s your boyfriend you’re talking about," I remind her.
She glances away. "Which is why I can see his faults all too clearly. Both of you are too stubborn to make the first move."
"Maybe he already has." I tap the side of my glass.
"Eh?" She squints at me. "You mean—"
"He did agree to stay under my roof. There was no reason to do that."
"Oh, I insisted. Trust me, Isaac didn’t want to. But I couldn’t see any other way out of our financial difficulties."
I wince.
"I don’t mean it that way. I mean, you were the last resort, but I figured it was the logical route to stay here until we’re back on our feet. And it’s only until we’re back on our feet, you know. We won’t mooch off you forever."
My stomach churns. Goddamn, am I getting an ulcer? Also, is she talking about moving out, because I’m not letting that happen. Not until I figure out what this thing between us is all about. I scowl at her. "It’s not like I gave you a free ride. Remember I get something in return, too."
"To be fair, you are paying for me to be your executive assistant. And you are giving Isaac the opportunity to have his paintings exhibited in your offices, which is prime real estate. Just having them there will make them sought-after."
I raise a shoulder. "The least I could do."
"You’re a good father, JJ."
