Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 59690 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 298(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59690 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 298(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
When he heard the engine coming down the hill, a smile graced his features. I parked next to his car and hopped out of the driver’s side. It took real effort not to rush to him, throwing my arms around him and forgiving everything. It was all I wanted to do after all. But I needed to hear him out. Bailey’s words ran continuously through my mind. What would happen if this didn’t go how I wanted?
I swallowed and approached him, the wind whipping my blonde hair around my face. “Hey.”
“Hey,” he said.
“Did we have to drive all the way out here for this?”
“It’s a nice day. No reason to spend it inside.”
I furrowed my brow. It was nearly a hundred degrees at the end of July and boiling hot. The only way this would be enjoyable was if we stripped down and jumped in the lake. “It’s a Texas summer.”
“Assuredly.”
“Chase, what am I doing here?”
I was starting to get nervous. He wasn’t saying anything. Had I driven all the way out here for nothing?
“I had a rough night,” he said.
“I bet. Mine wasn’t exactly great either.”
“I talked to Annie and Jordan.”
“You talked to Jordan?” I gasped. I took a step toward him, inspecting his face. “You don’t look damaged.”
He grinned. “No, he promised to kill me, but thinks that you walking out was smart.”
I snorted. “That sounds like him.”
“Anyway, it’s not about them. Though they think you were right to do what you did.”
“I was…am,” I said even though it felt terrible.
“I know you are.”
I froze at those words. “You know I’m right?”
“Of course. I should have known right away.”
“Then, why did it take you so long to talk to me?”
He brushed a hand back through his messy blond hair. “I didn’t want to fuck this up. And I couldn’t get you back without making sure that I did the right thing.”
“Which was?”
“I called a few people on the board of the company. I wanted to make sure that they were aware of what had happened with my father.” He sighed heavily. “Apparently, my father had already reached out and told them that I quit. He’d insisted that he was going to take back over my duties. They were planning to meet next week to discuss what to do with me out of the position.”
“Oh fuck,” I whispered.
“But I informed them that wasn’t my intention. You were right. I don’t want to leave. They know I’m doing more than my father is at this point. And his reaction to who I’m dating just makes him look unstable.”
“They said that?” I asked hopefully. “I mean, he is unstable.”
“He is. I don’t know what decision they’re going to make, but they said they would be in touch on Monday after they convened. In the meantime, my job is secure.”
“That’s a relief.”
“And I’m sorry,” he said, taking a step toward me and reaching for my hand. “I’m so fucking sorry. I was not in my right mind when I spoke with my dad, and then I took that out on you. Watching you walk out that door was a kick in the face. I hated it, but I needed it to remember what I really wanted.”
A tear came to my eye, and I choked it back. “Well, I’m glad you came to your senses.”
“Harley, I waited three years for you, and I would have waited the three years you were at Harvard. I would wait forever for you. Do you understand? The very last thing I want in this world is to be without you. Can you forgive me for disregarding your feelings?”
His eyes were so fucking earnest. His heart on his sleeve. I wanted to lean into that. I wanted to give in with every fiber of my being. I loved his apology, but I didn’t just want an apology. I wanted to make sure it didn’t happen again.
“What happens if this happens again?” I asked slowly.
“I can’t promise that I’ll always be levelheaded.” He laughed softly. “Unfortunately, I was raised by my father. Just like you were raised by Owen. They both have their claws in us more than either of us could ever know. I hate when I find how deep those hooks go. I hate every time I’m more like him.” His hand went to my cheek and tipped my face up to look at him. “But I can promise we can work it out together. That things might not be perfect, but as long as it’s you and me, we can work it out.”
I nodded. “Good. I want that.”
“You do?”
“Of course I do!” I said with a quivery laugh. “I hate how much I’m like Owen, too. I hate that I can twist any argument around and how much I have to win. I’ve been trying to rein it in, but it’s not easy to restructure who I am as a person. Maybe it’s best that we both accept that some parts of our personalities are going to be works in progress. We can hold each other accountable.”