Chapter 15

Jessa

I squinted back up the long marina dock and didn't recognize the shiny sports car at the top of the stairs.

"Well, ask them to move, Jeffers. I'm sorry, but I'm coming back right now." I glanced over my shoulder at my father's yacht one more time. "He's not here."

My driver announced he would turn around and move the insistent sports car owner out of the way so he could pick me up. I wanted to say more, but Jeffers hung up the phone to drive.

I stood, aimless, at the end of the marina dock next to my father's monstrous yacht. The board of directors had been calling for almost a week about my father's retreat. He'd told everybody he'd be on his yacht, but now no one had seen him on it or dockside. I had to find him.

He still conducted business via teleconference but the board was getting edgy, and they'd assigned me to bring my father back into meetings.

But, more than that, I needed my father. With the heartache of Dayton's betrayal and my confusion over Robert, I needed my father's sharp opinion to set me straight. There was no one else for me to turn to.

After my father declared his retreat, my mother had turned into a hurricane of action. She had been meeting with lawyers and family accountants and distant relatives for days. In all the chaos, I hardly had time to ask her what she was planning, much less why she felt the need to gather her resources.

I had to resort to listening in at the door to discover that my mother was liquidating her family assets at lightning speed.

When I had confronted her about it, things got even more confusing.

"Well, I was doing it to help bail out your father's business again," my mother had confessed.

Her words had hit me funny, and I had asked: "if that's what you were doing. What are you doing now?"

My mother had crumpled in a Chanel heap and shook her head. She had her lips pinched tight as if she wanted to scream something but wouldn't allow herself.

She was doing it for me.

Whatever she was burying down deep, whatever problem or hurt, she was only doing it to spare me. So I didn't dare pry. And I didn't want to burden her anymore. I had vowed to take my own heartache elsewhere.

But now I had nowhere to go.

I started to walk back down the marina dock, calling Karina as I clipped past huge floating trophies and sea-worthy palaces.

"What are you doing right now?" I asked when Karina picked up her phone.

"Meeting you at JoJo's for the wine special?" Karina asked.

I let out a strained laugh. "Yes. Thank you. That's the best idea I've heard in a week. See you there very soon!"

"Hey," Karina called before I could hang up. "I think it's only fair to tell you that Robert's been asking around about you."

I slowed down and looked out over the bay. "What do you mean? What's he up to?"

"Penance, apparently," Karina said. "He's been telling his shameful mistake to everyone that will listen and asking advice on how to get you back."

I almost smiled. "Well, that's kind of sweet."

"Everyone's eating it up, Jessa. There's a running bet on your wedding date floating around." Karina sighed. "What I put down is worth a dream honeymoon."

"You bet on me?" I laughed. "So, tell me my fate."

Karina giggled. "Over wine."

I jogged up the marina steps and stopped cold. "Karina? I might have to meet you at Jojo's later."

"Why? What's the matter?"

I smiled as a familiar figure slipped out of the shining sports car and stood up. "Robert's here."

"Damn, Jessa. Let me tell you—"

It was too late. I hung up the phone and slipped it into my pocket, trying to act casual as I looked over the hood of his sleek car.

"Have you seen my driver anywhere around?" I asked Robert.

Robert smiled. "At least you're talking to me. I was afraid you wouldn't say a word to me."

I blinked, surprised at his soft charm. "Why?" I asked.

"I came here hoping I'd run into you. I've been so worried," Robert said.

"Have you spoken to my father?" I asked.

Robert shrugged. "I'm worried about you, Jessa. This whole thing has to be pulling you in too many directions. How are you holding up?"

I felt one tiny knot of stress loosen in my shoulders. "Did you come all the way here to check on me?"

"I did." Robert flashed a heart-melting smile. "I know I should have given you your space, but I just needed to see you. I'll go now if you want."

"No, wait." The words were out of my mouth before I was sure what I was saying. "It's, ah, um, it's nice to see a friendly face."

Robert shocked me by rushing over and grabbing both my hands. "Oh, Jessa! I got so out of hand. I'm so sorry."

I staggered back then caught myself. "Out of hand? More like you bruised me with your hands."

His touch on my fingertips was gentle, and he looked down at our hands with a frown. "I let all the stress of the corporate spy hunt get to me. Your father told me everything, entrusted me. He didn't want you to worry."

"Wait. Are you saying you knew about the possibility of a spy before the theft of the software?" I tugged my hands free.

"It was a concern of your father's, and when it all started to happen, I felt so helpless. You saw the worst of me," Robert confessed.

I wanted to believe him. It made sense. Stress and keeping secrets caused people to do things they wouldn't normally. And Robert seemed sincere.

"I've known you a long time, Robert. I want to trust you, but I will never let you treat me like that again," I said, with a firm tone.

Robert caught my fingertips up again and kissed them softly. "All I want is for you to forgive me."

One little act of kindness and I fell apart. The tears overflowed, and I couldn't stifle the first soft sob. Robert caught me close in his arms as the wave of stress and sorrow washed over me. He smoothed my hair back, careful not to crush my chignon.

Dayton would never have been so careful with me.

The comparison only made me cry harder. Robert felt it and held me tighter, whispering soothing things in my ear. I leaned against him and listened to silly gossip, sudden shared memories from our childhood, and slowly my tears subsided.

"There now," Robert whispered. "All better?"

I shook my head against his solid chest. "Everything's ruined. I don't know what to do."

"What if I told you I have an idea for saving Lauren Corp and making it stronger than ever?" Robert asked.

I looked up into Robert's light blue eyes and felt a sudden ray of hope. If anyone knew how to create and maintain an image, it was Robert. I knew that if he cared, he could turn the now-ruined reputation of Lauren Corp completely around.

"I'm listening," I said. I let Robert take my hand and lead me to his sports car.

Despite the newly dedicated man in front of me, Dayton's words kept ringing in my ear. He had been so adamant that I stay away from Robert. He'd warned me not to go back to him.

I didn't go back to Robert. Robert sought me out. He cared enough to track me down and check on how I was doing. And that was a lot more than Dayton had done for me.

I slipped into Robert's car and told myself I was just letting him drive me to my family home.

Still, the memory of Dayton's worried eyes flashed in my mind. He'd been fine with me declaring we'd never see each other again. As long as I didn't go near Robert. As if I needed Dayton to protect me.

"What would you say if I asked you to dinner? I've got a great idea, but I need you to help me fill in the blanks and make it complete," Robert said.

I smiled. Robert asked for my input. Something I couldn't imagine Dayton doing. He was so used to ordering everyone around on the renovation site.

I nodded. "Dinner sounds fine. As long as we keep the talk focused on Lauren Corp."

"And your family," Robert replied. "I can't pretend I don't know how much this business means to both your father and your mother."

Tears pricked my eyes. Robert really did understand. Dayton clearly thought people like my family didn't have feelings otherwise he wouldn't have turned his back on all of his peers.

"I'm not discussing anything personal between us. Not tonight," I declared.

Robert nodded and spun the wheels of his sleek sports car as we rushed out of the marina and onto the main road. He picked up speed until I swatted at his knee, then he caught my hand and gave it a quick squeeze before slowing down.

"You know, I have to confess that I knew Dayton Miller before he went to prison," Robert said.

I stiffened. "You did? Was he a snake back then too?"

My bitter comparison surprised both Robert and me but Robert laughed. I remembered how much he liked hearing me disparage others in our set, and, for a moment, I felt like indulging him. A good long rant would have made me feel better, but Robert still wanted to talk about Dayton.

"He was a really snotty kid. Kind of a bully too. He always wanted in on everything." Robert smiled at that; then he shook his head. "Then suddenly we were bad people, and he hated us all."

"So you really did know him?" I asked.

Robert nodded. "I just didn't put two and two together fast enough. I failed your family, Jessa, and I am so sorry."

My breath caught in my throat as I realized something terrible. "I broke up with you before you could figure it out."

Robert laid a hand on my knee. "I was so distraught that I didn't even think he could be the possible spy. I practically paved the way for him taking the software."

A wave of guilt washed over me. Robert didn't know that I had slept with Dayton. He didn't know that Dayton was innocent or that I was his alibi, so he was blaming himself.

I put my hand over his and pressed it to my skin. "It's not your fault, Robert. I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt my family."

"They're practically—I mean, they were practically my family too," Robert said.

I didn't let go of his hand. "Did I overreact?" I asked.

It seemed so plausible. I was so distracted by Dayton and the idea of escaping my own life. What a selfish thing to do! With my head turned by those ideas, I had turned on Robert. I had only let myself see the worst in him. It was possible I had been completely unfair to him as a reaction to getting engaged.

"You've done nothing that I can't forgive. If you can forgive me for acting like a stressed out monster, then I see the past as the past." Robert squeezed my thigh. "Where should we have dinner?"

I lifted my hand and dropped my head into my palms. "I'm not sure I'm good for polite society right now," I said.

Robert smiled and patted my knee. "I think what you might need is a little escape. Somewhere no one will judge you, and you can relax completely."

I leaned back in my seat. "Sounds heavenly. Where's that?"

"My place. The cook will have dinner for us, and I have an extensive wine cellar. Lady's choice."

My gut twisted a little at the thought of going home with Robert, but I at least owed him my friendship.

"Fine. Just friends having dinner," I said.

Robert revved up his sports car. "Then come on, friend. Let me take you home."