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“Of course. It’s never complete without you, Theo.” Alana smiles as if we never had that blowout at my place and reaches over and pats the top of my hand. I cringe and pull away, meeting my father’s hard stare. It’s a warning. Alana slaps a saccharine smile on her face and addresses the table. “A friend at the country club said the opera house is hosting private events now.”
Katrina claps her hands together. “How wonderful. That would be a superb venue, don’t you think, Charles?”
He nods, taking a sip of his old fashioned. “As soon as Theo does his part, we can look into booking it.”
“Really, Daddy?”
“Anything for you, darling,” he coos.
I breathe in through my nose and slowly exhale, keeping my calm.Stay on course.Don’t let them see the truth. Or the fact that I’m aching without her. That my heart has never felt so full. That I’m so madly in love with her, I can’t fathom another second away from her.
I shoot out of my chair, startling everyone.
“Sit down, Theo,” my father demands.
“No.” I shake my head. “I can’t do this anymore.” I storm out, texting James to be out front. My phone rings, my father’s name appearing on the dashboard screen. I click decline. The text comes through next.
A. Monroe: Get back here. NOW.
A. Monroe: You know how this will end.
A. Monroe: Don’t force my hand.
I slam my fist against the seat. I’m going crazy because I can’t have the one thing that would make this right. When the rage finally dissipates, I realize I’ve told James to take me to her. I need to go in there and explain. Warn her. Beg for forgiveness.
Instead, I have James take me home.
Until I put a stop to my father, there can be no us.
The next morning. . .
She’s late.
I gaze at the clock. Only minutes have passed since the last time I checked. I haven’t slept, and my patience is at its thinnest. She’s angry with me, and I’ll take it, but she doesn’t understand. I need to make her understand. Which is why I’m coming clean and telling her everything when she gets in. She said she trusted me. Right now, this is where she needs to fucking show it.
I hear shuffling outside my door. I wait to hear a knock or for it to open, but nothing happens. No morning smile. No gorgeous vision carrying coffee. I snap and open my door when I can’t wait a second longer. “Get in here now.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
She shoots from her chair and faces me. “I’d rather not.”
“And I’m not giving you a choice.” She doesn’t budge. I shove my hand through my hair, about to lose my shit. “Fay, goddamn it—”
“Theo?”
My head whips over Fay’s shoulder to see Alana walking toward me. I freeze. Fay turns her attention to Alana. “Already starting the day with a bite, I see.” What the fuck is she doing here?
Fay slowly turns and stares at me, the shock and betrayal in her eyes like a sharp knife gutting me. “She’syour private morning meeting?”
What the hell is she talking about? I step toward Fay but stop myself. I need to get Alana away. “In my office, Ms. Hill.”
“Of course.” Alana smiles and stops in front of Fay, not bothering to fucking listen. “We’ll need our privacy. Please don’t bother to put any calls through.” Alana hits her mark and turns to my office. Fay stands there, her face blank, which scares me more than if she said something snarky.
“That’ll be all, Miss Evans.” I speak harshly to her, hoping she’ll see the truth and desperation in my eyes.I’m sorry. This isn’t what you think. I love you. Don’t forget that. But none of the important stuff leaves my lips.
She nods, the coldness in her stare gut-wrenching. “Of course. I’ll give you two your privacy.” She grabs her planner, and I storm into my office, slamming the door behind me.
