We were having such a nice day shopping for gifts for Sophie before a hoard of photographers swarmed the front of a boutique when we were exiting. All the jostling and shoving as they tried to get Sinclair’s attention, mixed with the fact I skipped breakfast, made me crumple like a tower of cards.
I was planning on telling Sinclair I was leaving today. That I can’t fulfill our contract due to unforeseen circumstances. I want to be honest with her and tell her the real reasons. But I need to talk to Sterling first, ask him how he wants to broach the subject.Ifhe does.
Maybe he’d rather keep it quiet and forget everything that’s happened once I leave.
Sinclair’s face lights up. “Ooh, I know exactly where we need to go next time?—”
The door flings open and a blur of suited silver storms in.
“Dad!”
His jacket flies out behind him as he crosses the room in long, determined strides. Sinclair throws her arms around him in a hug. His blazing eyes meet mine over her shoulder, and my stomach erupts into flutters.
He pulls back to look at her. “Sweetheart, are you okay?”
She nods. “I am. It’s Halliday who got hurt.”
Sterling tips his chin at Sullivan, then his eyes are back on mine. He steps around Sinclair and leans over the bed and cups my face.
“Hallie? I got here as fast as I could.”
I’m surrounded by his rich, intoxicating scent as he looks so deeply into my eyes that my cheeks heat.
“Thank you, but honestly, I’m fine,” I force out as he scans over me before zeroing in on the bandage around my skull.
“Jesus,” he utters. “You’re hurt, Baby girl.”
His thumbs track over my cheeks before the stubble on his jaw brushes my forehead and he kisses me there.
“Sterling,” I murmur, stiffening.
My eyes dart behind him to where Sullivan’s face is devoid of any reaction. Denver’s come into the room and has placed himself one step behind Sinclair.
She gasps and reaches out, grabbing his bicep to steady herself.
“Baby girl?” she splutters.
I swallow and look back at Sterling in panic. I swear everything we’ve done together is written all over my face.
“Dad? You can’t be serious? You and Halliday?” she shrieks, her eyes bouncing between the two of us.
Sterling straightens, but the lingering look he gives me tells her everything.
“Did you know about this?” She glares at Sullivan.
“I suspected.”
“Oh my god.” Her eyes widen, and she looks at Denver. “What about you? Did you know?”
Denver’s jaw tightens, and she yanks her hand away as if she’s only just realized she was touching it.
“Seriously? Evenheknew before me?”
Denver’s steely gaze remains straight ahead as Sinclair scowls at him.
“How long has this been going on?” she snaps.
“Not long,” I say at the same time Sterling rasps, “I knew the moment I met her.”
