Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
If I have my way, we won’t, but I don’t voice that intention. His confident, quiet steps carry him out of the office, and he closes the door with a small click.
“So Jake told you what happened, I take it?” I have no doubt he kept several details hidden, but I want to hear the tale he spun to my father.
“Sit down, Sadie.” He gestures to one of the many chairs in his office.
I consider standing my ground, but one look at my father’s rigid posture has me sinking into soft, malleable leather.
“JJ did come to me about this problem the two of you are having.”
I raise a brow. “Is that what he’s calling it? A problem?”
“I’m not going to defend his actions, but a man under the type of pressure JJ endures is bound to make mistakes.”
Unbelievable.
“Now, sweetheart. The question is what do we need to do to fix this?” My father brushes his thick hair back. He’s a handsome man, appearing younger than his fifty-two years, with dark hair sprinkled with the first signs of gray, and vibrant, sometimes vicious brown eyes. I certainly didn’t get my looks from him.
Some say I’m a spitting image of my mother. I’d have to agree—right down to her inability to say no to my father. He’s always run our household with an iron grip. And my mother and I have always fallen in line.
Not this time.
“It can’t be fixed.”
“Nonsense. Everything can be fixed.”
Meaning he never fails to find a way to get what he wants. It’s the lawyer in him. Being a defense attorney isn’t just a job to my father. It’s a passion. A calling. A way of life.
And if his only child won’t follow in his footsteps, the least she can do is marry an attorney of his choosing. I can already see it coming, and my skin breaks out in a cold sweat at the realization.
“He’s been fucking his assistant,” I say, my tone flat and disinterested. Because I am. Jake was attractive for a hot minute, but the moment I watched another woman go down on him and failed to feel my heart crack told me everything I need to know. His betrayal hurt and angered me, but it didn’t break me. “I caught Candy giving him a blow job in his office the night of his birthday.”
“There’s no need to use such obscene language, Sadie.”
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
I bite my lip since arguing with him never helps anyone.
“He’s a good man, Sadie. He made a mistake, but he’s owning up to it. He’s willing to do whatever is necessary to make it up to you.”
My jaw slackens. Jake actually told him the unvarnished truth, but my father is still defending him. I’m utterly stupefied as I rise from the chair, more hurt over my dad’s reaction to Jake’s betrayal than I am the actual betrayal.
“I should get back to work,” I say, blinking to hold back the threat of tears.
“That’s my girl,” he says, a note of pride entering his tone. “Don’t forget. This Friday. JJ will pick you up at six sharp. It’s a formal gathering, so use the credit card to buy something appropriate.”
As I leave my father’s office, I have trouble drawing a deep breath. Jake and Friday and appropriate formal wear—all of it tightens around my neck like a noose I can’t escape.
Chapter Fourteen
Ashton
Three days go by with no word from Corinne.
And Sadie…well, I’m pretty sure she’s avoiding me. I’ve texted her a couple of times, but she hasn’t responded. I’d be lying if I said a small part of me isn’t relieved. The thought of telling Sadie about the situation with Corinne is turning me into an irritable ass.
I don’t want to believe Corinne is carrying my child.
I don’t want to believe Sadie is avoiding me.
So I’m burying my head in the sand by throwing myself into work. My newfound appreciation for my job was doing the trick until Sadie shows up at my house Thursday night. She’s wearing sweatpants, no makeup, and no way in hell do I miss the dejection lining her beautiful face.
“What’s wrong?” I usher her inside and take her coat before hanging it up in the closet. I can never resist pulling at her layers; lately it means I end up with her naked in front of me.
Or on her knees at my feet.
“It’s this dinner party at my parents’ house tomorrow night.”
“They’re having a party?” There’s mild surprise in my tone. I don’t recall her mentioning a party—not one that would call for her looking this upset.
“It’s a work thing.”
Work…
Oh.
“Work, as in Jake’s involved?”
She nods.
I try swallowing the bad taste in my mouth that speaking that bastard’s name leaves behind, but it’s impossible. Considering how my feelings for her are morphing onto the edge of serious, it makes sense that speaking of her scumbag ex is like poison on my tongue.