27
JULIAN
“You look like hell,” my sister remarks honestly as she sits down to occupy the vacant stool next to me at the bar.
Nursing my second whiskey, I can’t disagree. Failure is hard to swallow. It’s what I’ve led myself into.
“I’m getting a glimpse of hell, thank you very much, Caroline.” I ignore her and look forward at the row of expensive bottles against the wall of this chic club where members conduct afternoon business meetings with alcohol on the side. Today, the meeting is just me.
In the corner of my eye, she indicates to the barman for the same drink. “I figured you might be here. We may not be close, but the few times we’ve run into one another unplanned, it’s usually here. Although under better circumstances.”
Lifting my glass in the air for a lazy cheer, I highlight the obvious. “Are you here out of guilt?” My gaze swings to her with loathing.
Her face falls, with guilt written plainly all over it. “Yes.” The candor surprises me. “This possible scenario nevercrossed my mind. How was I supposed to know who your assistant was? We don’t speak often. I definitely had no clue that you’re in a relationship with her,”she explains.
“Was. Was in a relationship with her. Something tells me ruining her aunt’s life kind of put a dart into that chance of a relationship.” Misery floods my tone, and I set my empty glass down on the napkin.
I’m a man who judges choices for successful gain, it’s second nature to me. Even when intuition poked me, I failed at listening. The warning was always present. Hell, I even warned Savannah that I’m not a man capable of a relationship. Lo and behold, it didn’t take long for me to destroy everything into smithereens because I misstepped, stuck in my thirst for her to notice the finer details.I didn’t protect her, and I’m not worthy of her.
All along, we knew the risk.
Still, my body feels hollow.
Caroline gently touches my elbow. “Despite this situation, where did you see yourself going with her?”
“The question of the hour.”I’ve been here for one, and my mind fixates on a vision of what a future with her would be. “We weren’t ready to end.” Was I always only going to see the present?
“The world has only ever known you as a man who dates. That isn’t the same as a relationship. It’s a first for you.”
“Aren’t you observant,” I say, cynical. “I’m older than Savannah yet lack the experience of being a man who gives it all to someone.”
She thanks the bartender softly for delivering her drink and continues our conversation. “What are you going to do? Let her go?”
“I said I would look for her until she’s mine again, but now I’m wondering if I will only end up hurting her more.”
My sister shakes her head fervently in disagreement. “You always figure it out. There has to be a way to win her back… if that’s what you want.”
Remaining silent, I give her an astute look. As much as I’ve been wallowing, I have weighed the pros and cons. Running away is tempting and easy. Chasing her as I promised? A battle that I have to be ready to conquer.
I answer her honestly. “I feel terrible, and I will say sorry a thousand times.”
“I’ll do whatever I can to help. That’s why I’m here, actually.”
“Humor me.”
“I can attempt to convince the board to kill any possible deal, but it won’t be easy. There has to be something more than business logic. They think in money and publicity.”
A button is pressed in my brain. “Publicity.”
She nods. “Bring me something to deliver to the board. I can’t think of what, but it needs to create a rift.”
Chuckling deep in my throat, a sinister thought comes to mind that definitely isn’t on the straight and narrow. “Blackmail, perhaps?” I’m only half-joking.
Judging by Caroline’s face, she doesn’t find it funny, nor is she showing distaste. “You’re serious?” She shrugs and lets out an audible breath. “Someone on that board must have skeletons in the closet.”
“Of course they do. What person with a seven-figure bank account doesn’t?” I pause as a theory begins to brew in my head. I tap the bar top as I consider the option. “But they don’t air their dirty laundry.”
“Exactly.”
