CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

Emma

Back in my hotel room that night, I finally admitted to myself Trevor had hurt my feelings. My intention in saying something to Simon had been so he'd share with Trevor that he wasn’t alone in this. To give him an ally. I knew Simon had struggled in the beginning with having to let people go, not that you could tell now. But seeing it from Trevor’s perspective, I supposed he had a point in feeling betrayed.

I sighed, taking off my shoes and sitting on my hotel room chair. The entire thing screamed one thing. I was in too deep. This had gone beyond casual. It not only had seeped into the work place, but had also gained the capacity to hurt me in a way to which I’d never left myself vulnerable. I needed to rein things back. Back to casual.

As I lay there in bed after a hot shower, I halfway expected a call or a text from Trevor. Hell, I even thought he might go so far as to knock on my door, but when there was nothing, I was disappointed. This pissed me off because I’d been the one so adamant he not come to my hotel room in the first place. Just what I needed was to find myself a fickle female creating another no-win situation for him.

The next morning, I walked into the office, shocked to see both Simon and Trevor already there. Then I realized both were in the suits they’d worn the day before. They were sitting in the conference room going over paperwork.

“Did you two pull an all-nighter?”

Trevor’s baby blues hit me, causing me to envision closing the distance of thirty feet and straddling him on his chair. Evidently, I’d missed him this week. I had to remind myself to look away and at Simon since he was the one answering.

“We sure did. Your instinct was right on about Peter. Found out someone has filed an infringement of patent against him for his software. We’ve been here trying to figure out if the accusation is legitimate. Legal is still reviewing it.”

“Why didn’t you call me? I could’ve come back.” We’d all left at the same time. So obviously they’d returned. Had Trevor told Simon he didn’t want me there?

Simon answered. “There was no need to wake you when we got the late call. At this point we’re waiting on legal, but after speaking with Phillip this morning, I’d say there’s a ninety percent certainty we won’t be pursuing the sale.”

I should have felt relief, but instead I felt left out. “That’s probably for the best. Well, if you need anything, let me know.”

By the afternoon, legal had gotten back to us, and we were packing to leave. We would not be going through with the purchase of Big Town Fantasy Sports. It turned out Peter might have copied code from his last employer, who also ran fantasy sports software. They’d only filed yesterday, which explained why the issue hadn’t popped up before.

The best part was watching Peter’s face get red when Simon and Trevor broke the news. Normally, I wouldn’t want to be a part of such drama, but with this wanker, I absolutely desired a front-row seat. Instead of making millions, he now mostly likely would have to spend as much in damages.

I was boxing up everything while Trevor and Simon spoke with Phillip in the conference room on a call. Unfortunately, Tom chose to sit out the conversation, leaving him to mess with me instead.

“Are you tired of Texas yet?” He leaned against my desk as I put binders into FedEx boxes to be shipped. Although we weren’t purchasing the company, we’d keep all of the documentation in the New York office for reference.

“Texas is fine.” I found I didn’t need to lie about it this time.

He tsked. “Please. We both know you miss New York. You could come back there and work for me. I could use a full-time assistant.”

“For what? Forwarding your calls and making excuses as to why you’re not available?”

Although a lot of people would call him handsome, I knew way too much about the ugliness inside of him. His smile slipped. “Careful. Because it appears your boss is staying in Dallas. Local trips like this one may become your new norm. Goodbye Paris, New York, LA, and every other exciting city.”

He was trying to push my buttons, but I wouldn’t let him. “Simon may be giving up some travel, but that’s why we have Trevor.”

He chuckled, the sound grating instantly on my nerves. “Please. That boy probably apologizes to his steak for the cow killed before eating it. He’s never going to manage laying people off. And once Phillip realizes Trevor was more relieved than annoyed that this deal fell through, the kid’ll be gone. He doesn’t have the drive to make money. Which is surprising considering how ambitious his father is. Guess some people don’t get the genetics of their parents. Not that you would know that, though, right?”

I saw red, uncharacteristically losing my temper with him. “Fuck you, Tom.”

He leaned in closer. “Name the time and place, sweetheart.”

I gritted my teeth. “Hell would have to freeze over first.”

He backed off when we heard Simon’s voice. “Everything okay?”

“Fine.” I turned away to pack the next box, so Simon wouldn’t see my face.

Tom simply laughed it off. “Just the typical sniping. What time is this shindig at your dad’s house again, Trevor?”

I stole a peek at him to see his gaze narrowed on me. “Six o’clock. Or whenever you show. It’s not a sit-down thing.”

“In about an hour, I’m heading back to the hotel for a nap and to change. You want a ride, Emma?” Simon offered.

“Yes. That would be great. I’ll finish up everything tomorrow morning.” I planned to come in early to ensure FedEx picked up the boxes first thing.

I’d return to the hotel with time to change my clothes and put on my big girl knickers to deal with tonight.

***

As I finished getting ready for the evening in my hotel room, I realized I was nervous about meeting Trevor’s father. I might not show it, but down deep, I felt insecure and feared I wasn’t good enough when I was around families. I’d long ago worked on my unpolished upbringing, so I could put on a decent front when mingling with rich people. In my work, I was around a great deal of them. But the veneer only went so deep, particularly when it came to family dynamics and the emotions that went with them.

The thought of Mr. Newhall guessing I might be involved with his son sent my nerves into a frenzy. I forced myself to look at my reflection in the mirror and stare a long moment.

Someone threw you away as trash. You’ll always be trash. Not worthy of a relationship with a man like Trevor, who comes from a good family and has been raised with a normal childhood.

My demons didn’t always give me a head’s up about when they would make an appearance. But I shook my head at the voice from the past.

I was stronger than this. Didn’t my tattoo mean strength? Hadn’t I fought the odds to make something of myself after being tossed away as a child? I belonged at this party amongst millionaires and politicians just as I’d belonged at all the others. As for the emotions, I simply needed to put them back where they belonged and treat Mr. Newhall like any other rich guy. Not as the father of the man with whom I was currently involved and who was probably still pissed off at me.