AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah, that works. So what’s the deal with Hanson?” I hedge.
Carter quirks a brow in my direction as we pass the reception desk. “Don’t worry about it. The less you have to do with that bastard, the better.”
I laugh, but there’s no humor behind it. “He’s my boss these days, Carter. I’m kinda forced to deal with him on a daily basis.”
“No fucking way,” he grumbles as we step into the elevator. “Dickhead. Has he been bothering you?”
I keep my head down as I press the button for the ground floor, making sure to avoid even looking at the button for the penthouse. But even without looking, memories of years past flood my brain, just like I knew they would. Will there ever come a time when I forget that man and all the things we did?
What will it take for me to really move on?
“I can handle Jay,” I say coolly.
I affect an unbothered expression as my brother studies me. He doesn’t need to know that I’m, in fact, not handling Jay well at all. I’m playing stupid games with the man, and there’s no way I’ll win a single one.
“Be careful. I’m pretty sure he’s making a play for our company with Pa out of commission. He thinks Cash is an easy target. He’s trying to exploit what he sees as our weaknesses right now, and I don’t want him using you to do it.”
Biting the inside of my cheek, I keep my emotions at bay. “Got it. Don’t trust Jonathan Hanson. That’s easy enough.”
Now if only I could stop thinking about him too.
21
SOMEONE TO STAY BY VANCOUVER SLEEP CLINIC
Cat
Last night, Cynthia sat Chloe down and talked to her about moving back to Boston with me. She was apparently cautiously optimistic. So when my phone rings and Cynthia’s name lights up on the screen, I feel a whoosh of excitement. It’s the end of the day in Paris, which means this is likely Chloe.
“Hi,” I answer, holding my breath just a bit, nerves dancing in my belly.
“Hi, Cat.” Chloe sounds equally nervous, her voice softer than normal.
“How was your day?” I ask, trying to warm up to the conversation I think we’re about to have.
“It was good. Mom took me shopping for summer clothes.”
“Nice, heard you guys are going to Greece next week. I’m super jealous.”
The question apparently settles her, because suddenly the girl is telling me everything they plan to do in Greece. But when she finishes, there’s an awkward pause, and I know it’s my turn to talk.
“So your mom mentioned she talked to you about maybe coming to Boston to live with me?”
There’s a long silence, and then some movement and what sounds like a door shutting. “Um, yeah.”
I bite my lip and twirl the pen in my hand, trying to ease my nerves. “And how do you feel about that?”
“Good,” she says quickly.
Good, good? Or…
God, this is hard.
“You don’t have to—”
Chloe interrupts me. “I want to.” She lets out a long breath that crackles down the line. “If you want me there, that is.”
I blow out a relieved breath. “Nothing would make me happier.”
