By the time William and I finished talking, it was late. We made decisions. We’re listing the house for sale and we’ll split the profits. He drew up a quick contract in that way only a lawyer—or Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory—can. It seemed fair and equal. I never admitted to the strong feelings that grew out of nowhere for another man, but William is a smart man. I don’t need to explain it, and he doesn’t have to like it.
I thought about calling Carson’s cell, but I didn’t feel comfortable doing that with William just down the hall. Even though this is what I want, I don’t want to make this breakup any harder on him.
Carson said he was going back to New York, and while I don’t have confirmation that he actually did go, I’m sure he did. It hurts just a little that he didn’t stay after I asked him to. I need his arms around me right now, but he’s right—I need a minute to put what I had with William behind me.
I’m starting today.
I’m going to my parents’ house to tell them William and I are through.
I haven’t quite figured out yet how I’m going to admit the reason why. They deserve the truth. They’ve been honest with me about my dad’s illness, and they deserve honesty in return.
But it’s a tough truth to admit.
I’m in love with the guy who’s stealing your company out from under you.
Love.
Is this love?
I don’t know how I can love him when I hardly know him. I haven’t even kissed him.
But he’s held me in his arms. His stubble has tickled my skin. His lips have been on my neck. He’s comforted me when I needed it. He’s revealed his deepest secret only to me, and I’ve done the same for him.
Surely that means something.
I have an aching hole in my heart when we’re apart. I know the difference between attraction and emotion, and my emotions are so tied up in Carson that it’s downright terrifying.
Time has become this meaningless entity to us. How long we’ve known each other doesn’t matter because I believe in what we have like I’ve never believed in anything else before him.
Even as I think all that through, I can’t honestly put the blame on his shoulders for my breakup with William. It was probably a longer time coming than I care to admit, and meeting Carson was just the catalyst for what would’ve eventually happened anyway.
I stay up in the guest room as long as I can take it before my body demands caffeine. I head down to the kitchen to start the coffee, and William is already at the table gazing at his laptop screen. He looks as if he’s been there for hours, which he probably has considering it’s after noon.
“Good morning,” I say, trying for my best genial tone even though the very last thing in the world I want this morning is a conversation with William. I had enough of that last night to last a lifetime.
“Good afternoon,” he corrects, somehow immediately confirming that I did the right thing last night. Even if I don’t end up with Carson, I’m pretty sure I deserve better than William.
I clear my throat and pull the coffee grounds out of the cabinet to start a fresh pot.
“It’s all set. Just turn on the pot.” He doesn’t look up from his laptop.
I open the lid of the coffeepot, and sure enough, it’s all set.
“Thank you,” I say meekly.
He doesn’t even drink coffee, but he makes it for me every Saturday morning. It’s part of our predictable routine, but it’s the comfortable part.
I realize for the first time what I’m actually doing.
I’m leaving a stable relationship with a good man for a complete gamble.
I’m leaving a man who would do anything for me—including making me coffee after I broke his heart last night—and I’m leaving him for a known womanizer.
Sure, William and I have had our problems, but I think I may have exaggerated how bad things were between us. He doesn’t always treat me like I’m his little lady. He doesn’t always make me feel as if I’m beneath him. He doesn’t always annoy me or act like he’s better than me. I don’t even know if I would’ve noticed the issues if Carson hadn’t come along.
And yet I’m still somehow completely sure I did the right thing.
We had a lot of good times, but it’s over.
* * *
After my mom has set a lovely summer salad in front of me complete with pineapple and those cute little mandarin oranges, I feel like I should confess the real reason I’m here. The salad looks delicious, but I have no appetite at the moment.
My dad lifts a forkful of salad to his mouth, and his hand shakes uncontrollably.
“It’s moving to the right?” I ask.
He nods. “It started last week. Some days are better than others.”
“I have a…um…a friend who said his grandfather had Parkinson’s. He recommended joining a support group at the hospital.”
“That’s a great idea, Rob,” my mom says. “Didn’t your doctor recommend that too?”
He ignores us both and takes another bite of salad.
“So stubborn,” my mom mumbles.
“Can I talk to you both about something?”
They exchange a glance.
“Is this about the wedding fund?” my mom asks. “We’ve got plenty set aside for you.”
I blow out a breath. “Sort of. Um…I guess I should just say it.”
They both look at me with concern and I clear my throat.
“I’m not marrying William.”
“What?” they ask in unison.
“Honey, why not?” my mom asks. “What happened? You just said yes!”
I DIDN’T SAY YES! I push down my anger. “I gave him back the ring last night and then I broke up with him.”
They both stare at me, and I can feel their scrutiny. They both think I’ve made a mistake, and that’s fine if they want to think that. I know the truth.
“Did he hurt you? Did he cheat on you?” my mom asks, never shy about asking the personal questions.
I shake my head. “No. He was a perfect gentleman. He’s just not what I want.”
“What, exactly, do you want?” my dad asks. “What’s wrong with a good man who treats you right and will provide you with a secure future?”
“Nothing. Everything,” I mumble.
“Is there someone else?” my mom asks.
“Sort of.”
“Who?” my dad roars.
I jump. I forget how intimidating he can be sometimes.
“Rob, calm down. The stress isn’t good for you.”
He glares at my mom and then asks in a much calmer voice, “Who?”
“I don’t want to tell you,” I say.
“Why not?” he asks.
“Because you’re not gonna like it.”
“Rip off the bandage, sweetheart.” I love that my mom uses a metaphor in her show of support. She takes a sip of the fresh-squeezed lemonade she just made.
“Carson King.”
She spits her lemonade and it sprays all over the table as my dad’s fork clatters down to his plate.
“Carson King?” my dad asks. “As in the asshole stealing Baker Media?”
“One and the same,” I say, going for a light tone and a small smile.
“You have got to be kidding me,” he says.
“Nope,” I say, shaking my head. “No joke.”
“Dolores, get me a Xanax.”
“Dad, stop being dramatic.”
“What is this between you and the thief?” he asks.
“It’s nothing yet,” I say, because as I think about it, nothing really has happened yet even though everything has happened. I push my salad around my plate with my fork.
My dad takes a sip of water, and my mom is oddly quiet during this exchange. “And you still broke up with William because of it?”
“No. I broke up with William because I don’t want to marry him and it wouldn’t have been right to stay with someone I don’t see a future with.”
“But you see a future with King?” His voice is an angry hiss.
“Maybe. I want to give it a shot, at least.”
“He’s going to be your boss because he’s taking our family company out from under us.” My dad’s voice falls flat, which is almost scarier than the earlier roar.
“You don’t understand. It’s not his fault.”
“He came into my office, gave me a lowball offer, and walked out with his smug attitude. I don’t like that kid—not for Baker, and certainly not for you.”
“I’m sorry, Dad, but I didn’t come here today seeking your approval.”
He looks hurt by my comment, and my mom looks shocked. I’ve always, always been my daddy’s little girl, but I’m a twenty-eight-year-old adult and it’s time to step out from his shadow and assert my independence. They don’t have to like it.
“Can I just remind you of something? A few days ago in our executive meeting, you went on and on about how you know King will take care of our employees and has our best interest at heart. You said you’ve realized Baker deserves something bigger than you can give it. You even said that as hard as it is to admit, you think King can make us thrive again.”
“That’s different. He can take over the company. He can’t take over my daughter.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Dad. He’s not taking me over. I’m going willingly.”
“Do you have any idea the reputation he has?”
“I do.” I nod. “And if I’m okay with it, it shouldn’t matter to you.”
“She’s right, Rob,” my mom says.
This is a first. My mom always takes my dad’s side.
Both of our heads whip over to her.
“What?” my dad asks.
“She’s right. Honey,
I look at my mom gratefully.
“Dolores, you don’t know what this guy is like. He’s slept with half of New York.”
She shrugs. “So what? You weren’t exactly innocent when we met.”
“Oh my God. Stop.” I hold up my hands in surrender. “I think I’m going to throw up.”
My mom and dad have one of those silent discussions with only their eyes, and I’m pretty sure it ends with my mom saying something along the lines of Leave her alone and We’ll talk more about this later.
“Tell us more about him,” my mom says, and I launch into the few things I do know about him…starting with the very strong feelings that have bloomed inside me.