That was it. Just a simple okay. Now that she’d gotten some kind of actual answer out of me, there was no interrogation or pressure to elaborate.
How the hell did Jesse get so lucky?
“You don’t have to fix everything by yourself, you know,” she said gently. “If there’s anything I can do to help, just tell me what it is and consider it done.”
“Thanks.” Our gazes locked and some of the tension in my chest eased immediately.
God, this is a problem.
“What are you doing today?” I asked, needing to shift the focus away from how much I wanted to just suggest that we run away together right about now.
She made a face. “Ideally, I’m hoping for some time to recover from shopping with Eugenie yesterday, but she may have other plans.”
It suddenly felt like someone had dumped a bucket of ice into my chest cavity. “You’re seeing her again?”
“I’m not sure. We didn’t make plans or anything, but it’s not impossible.”
She didn’t seem excited about the prospect at all, but that didn’t mean Eugenie would stay away. “Call me if you hear from her, okay?”
“Why?” she asked, obviously just curious and not understanding why she should call me if she heard from her own sister, which was completely fair.
Finally, I chose the only answer that was honest out of all the possible options. “I don’t like her.”
She blinked a few times, but then a slow, amused smile spread on her lips. “Well, it’s a good thing you broke up with her, then.”
Right. That. Shit.
I’d almost walked straight into it, and even now, correcting her to let her know thatIhad never been with Eugenie—and never would be—was right on the tip of my tongue. Along with that came the intense urge to just tell her everything.
The truth was right there, closer than it’d ever been before. I could tell her right now, before things got even worse. Before she found out from Eugenie, or Jesse, or anybody else, but I exhaled slowly.
Not yet.
I had a plan, but that meant talking to Alex first.Just keep it together, Will. You’re almost there.
Eliza stepped closer again, her hand brushing lightly against my sleeve. “You should go. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
I nodded, holding her gaze for another second before I dropped a kiss on her forehead, turned, and left before I could change my mind. Soon, I would be able to be honest with her. I just had to talk to Alex first.
Jesse wasn’t there when I got to Westwood and Sons, and although I’d expected this, it still managed to irritate me.
“He’s not coming,” I said as I walked into Alex’s office. “I’m willing to bet that he won’t be at work today.”
Alex didn’t look up immediately, finishing whatever he was reading before setting it aside. “Good morning to you too.”
“Are you taking the bet or not?” I asked, stopping in front of his desk. “This isn’t going to work, Alex.”
He leaned back in his chair and frowned. “Let’s not place our bets just yet, and that’s a pretty broad statement. What’s not going to work?”
“Jesse isn’t ready for any of this and you know it,” I said. “The company. The responsibility. The fact that his name is currently attached to a marriage that has actual consequences. He doesn’t want it and trying to force him into it isn’t going to work.”
Alex’s expression turned weary, the look in his eyes resigned. “Do you think I don’t know that he’s not ready?”
“I think you underestimated it.”
“I gave him an opportunity, Will.” He held my gaze. “Dad wanted me to at least try, and I have.”
“Putting him in a situation he didn’t want, didn’t ask for, and wasn’t equipped to handle was you trying?”
