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“I didn’t want it to be like this,” Trent says, panting.
“You fucked it, Trent. The deal. Any goodwill we might’ve had. Any chance of increased income. And worse, you’ve made me realizeImade a mistake. This plan, taking things tothislevel… only an amateur does that.”
Turning, I take Madison’s hand and walk toward the door. When we’re outside, she turns and throws herself into my arms.
“Nobody’s ever stood up for me before,” she says, her voice brimming with passion.
“You deserve it,” I say fiercely, “and so much more. You deserve the world.”
“Did you mean it, about us being… you know?”
“In a relationship?” I say, kissing her cheek. “Yes, I meant it.” As far as I’m concerned, we were in a relationship the first time I laid eyes on her.
“Do you think he’ll leak the photos?” Madison asks once we’re in the car.
“He might,” I say gruffly, “but it won’t make any difference to the deal. That’s over. I need to take you home and then meet with Brad. There’s a lot of work to do.”
“It won’t affect the deal,” she murmurs, “but…”
Our eyes meet, neither of us having to state this explicitly. We both know who itcouldaffect.
As I start the car, I try not to think about her mom.
CHAPTERNINETEEN
Madison
“Something big is going on at the office,” Mom says, sitting heavily on the couch and letting her head fall back. “I’m not sure what. I’ve been running around all day, setting meetings, and fetching files. It’s big, Maddie.”
A guilty spike twists through my chest. She’s got no clue I know exactly what’s happening. All day, as I’ve worked on a draft article for the meeting in the bar, Jacob has kept me informed via quick texts. With each message, I smile at the kiss at the end, savoring the fact ofus.
I didn’t want Jacob to get into a fight, but I have to admit, there was a small—okay, not so small—flurry of affection in me when I saw how he sprang into action. Now, he’s tearing the deal apart. He knows what it could mean, the photos, the public image of him pursuing a woman less than half his age, but we’re so much more than numbers. We’re boyfriend and girlfriend.
“Did you hear me?” Mom sits up. “It’shuge.”
“I heard,” I murmur. “Sorry. And you’ve got no idea?”
More guilt gnaws as I listen to Mom talk about her hectic day, the assistants wondering in frantic whispers what’s going on, sharing theories.
Over and over, I replay the events ofmyday, from the crazy kneeling in the kitchen, Jacob’s seed covering my breasts, to the standoff in the bar.
“There was a little slice of positivity,” Mom says, sitting up with a look I haven’t seen in a long time. Maybe ever.
“Hefinally showed me some loving.”
My blood runs cold. I’ve read that phrase so many times, the relative temperature of blood, but it’s always seemed silly to me. Not anymore. I’m not laughing. Ice is freezing my veins.
“Who’she?” I ask.
Mom taps her nose, a secretive gesture. “That would be telling.”
“I didn’t even know you were seeing anybody.”
“I’m not, not officially.”
“I’ve never seen you giddy over a man.”
This can’t be Jacob, surely. That would mean I’ve misjudged him in the most extreme sense possible. While he’s been texting me, attending to his business, he’s also been… what, flirting with Mom? Showing her someloving?
