Thirty-one

LILAH

When I get back to the office the following week, I have no idea what to expect. The remainder of the Hamptons trip was uneventful and we didn’t run into Edward again. However, I was on edge until we left. My unease made Andrew worry.

Every time he asked me if I was okay, I lied or gave him a placating smile to ease his concerns. In truth, all I could think about was what was waiting for me back in Connecticut.

Had I ruined everything?

Now that Edward knows I’m involved with his brother and my only client, will he give me the ax when he sees me? Is my dream of helping children over?

And where exactly do I stand with Andrew? I had ample opportunity over the course of our trip to tell him that I knew his brother but I chickened out every time our conversations presented a natural opening. Now I feel like a fraud.

I’m still confused about why Edward pretended he didn’t know me. Does he want me to fall in line and go along with whatever sick game he’s playing?

After the way I saw him interact with Andrew, I’m not sure I want to be on his side. It’s one thing to have me working on this special project of his, but deception isn’t something I’m comfortable with.

I have to tell Andrew, I’m just not sure how without blowing my cover and coming off as a liar.

If he finds out I hid my employment with Edward from him, it’s bound to end badly. Even worse if he hears it from somebody else.

He doesn’t know that I’m really a school teacher looking for wealthy donors to get my project off the ground.

I just have to think of a way to bring it up. Andrew hasn’t touched the subject since it happened. He just moved on like it meant nothing.

Ill at ease, I hop down from Charli’s car and thank her for the ride to work before heading inside.

When the hell did my life become so complicated?

I thought I knew what I was doing, but each passing day proves to me that I’m in way over my head.

Walking into the lobby, Louisa waves at me with her usual smile and I breathe a sigh of relief. Surely, the receptionist would be the first to know if I was no longer welcomed here. It’d be her job to stop me before I got too far and inform me that I needed to make a U-turn right back out the door.

Or maybe he’s going to do the honors in person.

As I push open my office door, I honestly expect to see him waiting for me. However, the only thing that catches my eye is a vase full of beautiful red roses at the center of my desk.

I pluck the card from its holder and see Andrew’s slanted handwriting.

I read the message aloud, “This weekend was incredible because of you. I miss you already. Come to me after work. — Andrew.”

The unease in my stomach is starting to fade as I read it over and over.

Come to me.

Dropping into my seat, I shoot him a quick text to say thanks and tell him I can’t wait to see him later.

Pushing the flowers to the corner of my desk, I turn on my computer and prepare for the worst. Opening my email application, a message from Edward sits right at the top of my inbox.

Of course.

Time to face the music.

With a deep breath and a swift double-click, I open the message. The email came in ten minutes ago and all it says is:

Call me as soon as you see this.

Eyeing the phone on my desk, I think about how long I can avoid what’s bound to come next.

“You might as well just rip off the bandage,” I tell myself, picking up the phone.

“Are you in the office?” Edward asks as soon as he answers. What happened to hello?

“Yes,” I confirm.

“Sit tight, I’m on my way.”

That wretched ball of dread forms in my stomach again.

He is going to fire me in person.

In five minutes flat, Edward walks into my office with a smile plastered across his face. It’s the first time I’ve seen his features display anything resembling happiness and it’s disturbing.

Does the thought of crushing my dreams fill him with so much joy that it has him acting out of character?

Jesus.

Edward speaks first.

“It looks like I owe you an apology, Ms. Tucker.”

My eyebrows dip above the bridge of my nose because that’s the last thing I expected to come out of his mouth.

“An apology?” I echo. “For what exactly?”

“It seems I underestimated you and for that I apologize,” he says, adjusting his cufflinks casually.

Holy hell, I’ve stepped into the twilight zone again because I still don’t know what the hell he’s talking about. However, Edward being Edward, he erases any doubt I have with his next statement.

“I just came here to congratulate you on doing whatever it takes to land the client. I had no idea you had it in you but it seems like your plan worked. Andrew is wrapped around your finger and he’s signed off on the investments I recommended.”

Grappling for words, I open my mouth then close it.

My plan worked?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say stiffly.

His insinuation makes me want to chuck up my breakfast. I didn’t trick Andrew into being my client by sleeping with him.

And why are we ignoring the fact that these two men are brothers? I don’t appreciate being kept in the dark about that. I open my mouth to tell him as much but he beats me to the punch.

“Don’t be so modest. I’m sure you’ve figured it out on your own but my brother is motivated by… physical thrills, to put it simply. So kudos to you for playing into that. Genius,” he remarks but the compliment leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

He’s got this all wrong. I would never manipulate someone for my own personal gain.

But isn’t that exactly what you’ve been doing all summer? You’re a teacher not a financial advisor. Remember?

The unwelcome reminder from my conscience makes me worry my bottom lip with my teeth.

“Anyway,” Edward says, moving right along. He doesn’t pick up on my unease and I’m not surprised. The man is incapable of reading body language or maybe he just doesn’t care.

Whatever the case, he doesn’t look fazed by the shock etched across my face.

“I just wanted come by and tell you to keep up the good work.” As always, a folder appears out of thin air and he slides it in my direction. “Look these over for the remainder of the day and I’ll be in touch.”

When the door closes behind him, I shove the folder away from me and swivel my chair in the direction of the large window.

Well, I still have a job which means hope isn’t completely lost for the donation Edward vowed to make at the end of the summer. That alone should make me happy, but I can’t ignore the new questions that have surfaced.

“My life is a fucking freak show,” I mutter and turn back to my desk.