"No, I don't." I walked into my office and slammed the door.
Forty-five minutes later Max walked into my room and sat himself down. "It's sorted," he said. "She's gone."
I nodded, feeling relief, my shoulders sagging. "That was quick."
"She wasn't sophisticated. She took the picture from Claire's office on Friday night. The security cameras picked her up after she fobbed in. She saved the image to her account and didn't delete it thoroughly. The Gmail account was set up purposely to send the email out to three journos. Claire's threatened the other two with an injunction already – she's fuming by the way, so expect that fall out at some point. It might be an idea to get Killian in so she can at least take her temper out on him, seeing as he's immune to her wrath. I've sacked Kirsty, gone over the non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements that she signed and the ramifications of what she's done. She's in flood of tears, begging to see you and saying some vile shit about Vanessa, but she won't do any more damage," Max said. "Not bad for before ten o'clock on a Monday morning."
I tipped my head back and let the breath I'd been holding fill the room. "Thank you."
Max shook his head. "Not a problem. I quite enjoyed that. Let's me exercise that nasty side I have. How's your lovely lady since the weekend?"
The grin was automatic, then faded as I remembered the previous evening and what I'd told her. "We talked about Mum."
"Mum as in Rachael?"
"Mum as in Rachael."
"Did you tell her everything?"
"Yes, but not in detail. She hasn't read the letter and I've not said what Rachael was like before, but I didn't leave anything major out," I said, acutely aware of Max's reaction. We talked about Mum, but never how it had made Max feel. I'd always thought he would at some point tell us what he'd gone through, but it had never come. He'd just been there for me and Claire, taking his big brother back seat.
"Is she the first person you've told?"
"Yes," I said. "I've never wanted or needed to tell anyone else. She was good. She didn't try to understand, she was just, Vanessa, I suppose."
"And she's moving in?"
I nodded. "She hasn't got cold feet about it yet. We've talked a lot about it. It's a big thing for both of us."
He scratched his head, looking twitchy. "I'm pleased for you, Jacks. I like her. I think she's right for you."
"But?"
"What do you mean?"
"There was a but there. Spit it out, Maxwell."
He let out a long sigh. "It's a sea-change. You're the first to have a relationship that looks serious and adult. Do you love Vanessa?"
I hadn't told her yet and I knew I should, but I didn't know how. The words weren't there. I could probably write them up in a contract and outline them with clauses about how I would treat her and what I would give for her, but I didn't know how to say them simply. "Yes."
"Congratulations. I'm happy for you. Payton mentioned something about a house-warming for you at some point, just so you're warned," he said. "I'll have your balls presented to Vanessa then in a case, because let's face it, she's going to be the one who owns them." He grinned and all felt right again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Chapter Twenty-One
Vanessa
"It's good to know you can spare the time to catch up," Sophie said sarcastically. It was Thursday, I had stayed at Jackson's every night since we'd made the decision for me to move in. I'd popped back to Sophie's to pick up some more clothes and toiletries and few bits and pieces that I was missing having around, such as a photo of my dad, mum, and gran from before my mother was poorly. I hadn't told Sophie yet, wanting to do it in person rather than via a text or a hurried phone call, hence we were sitting side by side in one of her spas having pedicures before I rushed off to meet a new client for an evening meeting.
"I know. I feel really guilty, if it's any consolation." I did. Sophie had been there for me after I'd ran from Richard; she'd propped me up emotionally and given me somewhere to stay. I'd questioned myself intermittently since, seventy-five percent desperate to move in, twenty-five percent wanting to run for the hills and not wanting to trust another man. I had concerns about it not working out and being technically homeless again, although this time I had a sum of money in my account that would mean I could put a deposit down somewhere straight away, so financially I was more secure. I knew that life would change again, living with a man who wanted to be part of a couple and not just live with the woman who was running his business. There was a future there for the making with Jackson.
"Don't be ridiculous. I've been gone lots when you've been living with me." She eyed me and smirked. "When are you moving out?"
"Am I that obvious?" I said, hiding behind my hands. "I was going to tell you today. How did you know?"
Sophie indicated her chosen gel polish to the nail technician and sipped her prosecco. "You've been there all the time and you met the family at the weekend. Things are almost resolved with you and Richard the dick, so it's a logical conclusion to jump to," she said. "You always have a room with me if things don't work out and I know you need a backup plan. But really, I like him. I think you're good for each other." Jackson and I had been out with Sophie a few times and they'd gotten along well, ganging up to tease me and then deliberately irritate each other. They were never going to hang out unless I was there, but there would certainly be no issue with Sophie coming around for dinner or wine and a girls' night.
