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)
“Jake finally got his promotion. Of course, my father is putting on a celebration.”
“I’m sure your parents will understand you passing on it.” I fold my arms across my chest. “I can’t believe your dad promoted him. After what the asshole did to you, I’m surprised he hasn’t been fired yet.” Especially knowing Joseph Sawyer the way I do. He’s overprotective, overbearing, and over-ridiculous.
An uncomfortable glint passes through her jade eyes as she wrings her hands. “I didn’t tell him what happened. But Jake did.”
“And?”
“And my father says Jake will make it up to me.”
I’m stunned speechless for a few moments. Then the implications of her words really sink in, and disbelief roils in my gut, anger right on the tail of it. “You aren’t serious. Tell me he isn’t taking that asshole’s side?”
“Jake can do no wrong in his eyes.”
The hurt shadowing her face is too much to bear. I clench my hands, fighting the urge to pull her into my arms. “You can’t go to this dinner. Jake doesn’t deserve your presence there after what he did.”
“I can’t not go.”
“Why the hell not, Sawyer?”
“I…you wouldn’t understand.”
I refrain from gritting my teeth. Barely. “Try me.”
“It’s only one night. I’d rather go and get it over with than disappoint my dad. I just wish Jake would leave me the fuck alone.”
“He’s still bothering you?”
“He’s got it in his head that I’m going to give him a second chance.”
“Trust me, Sadie, I can correct him on that misconception. Just give me ten minutes with the prick.”
“C’mon, Ash! I didn’t come here so you could go all Tarzan on your chest. I just needed…”
Letting the tension ebb from my shoulders, I close the distance between us and tilt her chin up. “What is it?”
“I needed a friend.”
It’s a simple confession, and maybe that’s why it hits the bullseye of my heart. People often overlook the small things in life, but it’s the little things that keep you going.
Like Sadie coming to me because she needed someone. Not Mandy, but me.
That has to mean something.
“I’m always here for you. Always.” I want to tell her she’s so much more than a friend to me, but now isn’t the time. The dread in my gut solidifies as my issues with Corrine come sneaking back in. Sadie and I are close to…something.
I can feel it heating up at the center of my being.
And Corinne could ruin everything. If she’s really pregnant, I’ll step up. There isn’t another option, but I despise the idea that this might drop a huge roadblock between Sadie and me.
“I have to attend the dinner,” she says, breaking into my tumultuous thoughts. “My dad is having Jake pick me up at six. But I think he’s only going to use this dinner to insert himself back into my life.”
“There’s an easy solution to all of this. Tell your father you won’t go.”
With a sigh, she steps back, and I drop my hand, instantly missing the heat of her skin.
“Dad and Jake are close. Failing to show up won’t change anything.” She pauses, giving me a considering look. “That’s why I need you to go with me…as my date.”
I never knew a person could feel such anger and elation in the same breath. But that’s what I am—outraged at her need to play charades in order to avoid conflict, and utterly excited at the prospect of being with her for a night, no pretenses or excuses.
If only her obstinate parents and ex weren’t part of the picture.
“Yes to the date, but no to your parents uppity shindig.”
She arches a brow. “Uppity shindig? You really don’t like my parents, do you?”
“I can’t say the dislike isn’t mutual. But I’m serious. Let’s do something else tomorrow night. Let me take you out on a real date.” I shoot her a grin. “It’s the least I can do, considering what a good job you’ve done at sucking me off.”
Despite her eye-roll, her cheeks warm to a rosy hue. “Please, Ash. I know how you feel about my parents, but I need you for this.”
“To hell with how I feel. The douchebag cheated on you with his fucking assistant. Your father should be on your side, Sadie. You need to stand up to him.”
“I will,” she says with a downcast stare. “As soon as things calm down, I’ll talk to my father and make him understand.”
I don’t believe her for a second.
“Now just isn’t a good time,” she continues. “The partners from the firm are going to be there, and they expect to see me there too.” Her mouth twists in disdain. “I don’t want to walk in there with Jake. Please, Ashton. I need a buffer.”
“Tell them no. It’s not hard to do.”
She darts her fingers through her red hair. “It is for me.”
I advance on her by a couple of steps. “Do you always do what other people tell you to do?”