“That was never a lie. That was the honest truth. I wanted to be with you, but I wasn’t good enough for you.”
She curtly nodded, accepting my admittance. “You were right about that last part.”
“I’m not that guy anymore.” My hands squeezed into fists on the table, as I inhaled a deep breath. “I've already explained this, but I don’t know how to make you see that I’ve changed. If I can’t get you to spend time with me, I don’t have any way to show you that I’m different.”
“And now you are suddenly worthy because you have money? How shallow do you think I am?” She glared at me with her fists clenched. “You were good enough back then. I have no idea who you even are anymore. You literally just brought me to your real estate scam, and you want me to see you’ve changed?”
“I had no idea about the scam," I hissed over the table. "I’m just as stunned as you are.”
“You know what? I’m not even hungry. I’m going to call an Uber.” She stood and hustled toward the door. I retrieved some cash from my wallet, dropping it on the table before charging after her. I stormed out the door, and nearly ran into her. She was so close, her soft, wispy scent wafted right to me.
I steeled my knees, firming my stance, determined not to let her leave me. “Elinora.” My voice was low, and raspy, catching her attention. I knew it wouldn’t pay to blurt out excuses. “I know I messed up. I can’t keep making excuses. I thought pretending to be confident and flashing my wealth around would make you like me again. Now I see that was dumb. I know you aren’t shallow. I just went too far…That’s what I do.” My voice cracked but I pushed through it. “You must see that the only thing I want isyou. You’re all I ever wanted. Since I was sixteen.” I ran my hand through my hair, pulling it back out of my face, and searched for her eyes, pouring my soul into my words. “I can’t change all the ways I’ve been a jerk, but I’m done pretending I’m fine without you. I need you in my life. I know I can’t force you to trust me, and I’m willing to earn it, but please give me a shot.”
Her lips parted, before her shaken words spit out with fire, “I’ve loved you since I was sixteen.”
Her angered admission sent a tidal wave of emotions to flood my heart, and I was so over and done with words. I needed to feel her in my arms. I reached out for her hip, and I wrapped my other arm around her waist, pulling her to me as I pressedmy lips to hers. I held back, almost as if asking permission, but she kissed me hungrily. Instantly, the magnetism I’d always felt for her budded again in my heart. I was breathless when I pulled away first because I refused to go too far again. I pleaded, “I want you.” Her eyes were honest when her guard went down. I was finally getting through to her.
Just when we were making progress, her Uber pulled up at the curb, and the guy signaled toward her with a wave. Her gaze went back and forth between us, and she sputtered out, “I’m so confused right now.”
“About what?” I pressed, as she had just kissed me back. That was pretty clear to me what she meant. I wasn't confused about anything. I'd never been clearer about us needing to be together.
“I don’t know, but I need to think.” She stepped toward the Uber, calling back with her gaze fixed away from me, “I can’t do this now.”
twenty-three
Graham
“That’s not what you were wearing when I dropped you off this morning.” The following day, I rose to my feet the second Hadley entered my office promptly after nine. “And why are you not at school?” My eyes flashed to my phone, screen up. There wasn’t even a text message from her.
“I got sent home to change, but I figured I needed to be honest with you.” Her long blonde hair was pulled over her shoulder, and she twirled the end of one strand while avoiding my gaze.
“Yeah, you do.” I tried not to stare. Her shorts were so tiny, I swore I could see her underwear hanging out the bottom. “Don’t tell me this is the style. You know the rules—the school rules and mine. Neither allows for shorts so tiny.” Not wanting my colleagues to overhear, I crossed the room, and shut the door. “Hads, this conversation is exhausting me. You’re lucky to have gotten a spot at St. Anne’s. Private schools aren’t required to put up with defiance. If they get as frustrated as I am, they may permanently suspend you.”
“Whatever.” She tossed her hair behind her shoulder, as if that was some sort of weapon to win an argument.
“Not whatever.” I took a step forward, placing a hand on her shoulder, and squared my gaze with hers. “I want you to succeed in school, have the chances I never had. You’ll regret it if you lose this opportunity over something so stupid as shorts.” I slipped off my suit jacket, hanging it on her shoulders. As I suspected, it covered more of her rear than her shorts did.
“I’m not wearing your jacket.” She lifted her hand to remove it from her shoulders, but I placed my hand on top of hers.
“You’re not walking around like that.” I didn’t flinch when I squeezed her palm. “You can wear those shorts when you’re married,” I affirmed, stepping back to my desk to grab my phone and keys. “In thirty years.”
“Dad.”
“I’ll give you a ride home to change.” I turned back to her, softening my gaze. I’d never imagined I would be the parent who spoke firmly like this. I wanted to be the fun parent. When I looked at her, nearly all grown up, all I wanted to do was protect her as like she was still a wide-eyed four-year-old. “I know you think you’re old enough to dress like this, but I can’t allow it. It doesn’t show the respect for yourself that you deserve, and it attracts the wrong attention.”
“Whatever.” Her gaze slid to the ground, as she was clearly avoiding mine.
“Hads...” I spoke even softer. “We’ve been through too much together to have some stupid shorts cause a huge fight.” Opening my arms, I invited her for a hug, and even though she still didn’t look at me, she paced forward and allowed me to squeeze her. She was almost as tall as me, clearly having inherited our mom’s tall genes. She stood stiff, not hugging me back, but I’d come to terms with what teenage hugs would feel like.
The door flew open, and Elinora halted in the doorway. Her jaw dropped, and she spun on her heel, backing right out. “Wait,” I called after her. “It’s just Had—” She wasn’t listening to me, and I beckoned to Hads. “Follow me. We need to introduce you to everyone in the office before rumors get started.”
twenty-four
Elinora
I wasn’t stupid. I know what I walked in on—Graham with some blonde, the dayafterhe’d practically begged me to be with him. Last night I was ready to quit. I’d planned to max out my credit cards to buy out my contract. I couldn’t do this anymore. This morning, I’d had a slight change of heart, wanting to hear him out. My mind had been a ping-pong match all morning. Now I stood firm. Graham was a jerk, and I needed to get away.
He would follow me out the door, and he knew where I lived. It was best to lose him by tricking him, making him believe I’d left the office. That’s why I was crouched in the janitor’s closet, trying hard to not look at the dead gator I had forgotten I’d stuffed in here earlier this week.
