“Right here, boss.” Clay runs to my side, phone ready to go. This is why I could never operate efficiently without him. He knows I’m in ‘go’ mode.
“Book the spare jet.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
cove
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.”
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
I’ve always wonderedto what depths my favorite poets knew love. Was it similar to the love they wrote about? It’s one thing to write the act of being in love, and another to experience it with a full heart. For your heart to tragically long for a person when they’re away and rejoice when they’re near. William Shakespeare was fortunate enough to meet the love of his life at eighteen. That’s more than most can ever say.
Some people go their whole lives without finding that authentic kind of love and having it reciprocated in return. Edgar Allen Poe married his first cousin at the youngest of ages, only to lose her to illness just a few short years later.
I’m one of the lucky ones. And to be loved so fiercely by Stetson Cole?
I think that’s my life’s greatest achievement.
Leaving Coleson Ranch and the party abruptly was not on my agenda for the week, but after the catastrophe of confrontations, I knew I needed to get home and see my mom. As much as the altercations killed me to watch, I knew it was bound to happen. I just thought the day I finally got to put my sperm donor in his place would be one I’d feel better about. Not sad.
Because I do feel sad.
Not that saying the words out loud didn’t feel exhilarating—it did. But I think Nathaniel’s lack of reaction and care is what stung the most. I mean, I knew he never cared about me. He and my mom were young and never really loved each other, but they must have enough to have sex and get pregnant. Except, she was mature enough to care for her responsibility—me.
Hearinghowlittle I mattered to Nathaniel, to the point where he’d merely usher me away, adamantly, too, with a man who cares about nothing more than his image in the press and getting in my pants, hurt like a bitch.
I’m not sure I would have survived without Stetson.
He’s been so good to me.
I know I’m not alone anymore, but that doesn’t take away the fact that going there was for nothing. Nothing in terms of helping my mom’s situation. The house still needs restoration, and if I’ve learned anything, it’s that money doesn’t just appear from thin air. As much as I really wish it would right now.
Depending on a man to fix my issues was my first mistake.
I texted Mom and Betsy on the flight over to let them know I’m headed home early. Thankfully, Abigail sent Granger to transport me on Stetson’s jet quickly. I’m not sure I could have handled being swarmed by other passengers on commercial.
My mind is in crisis management mode.
At this point, everything else can wait.
The drive from the airport to my penthouse gave me moments for self-reflection. I never imagined I’d experience culture shock from one state to the next, but here I am. Central Miami didn’t stop just because I left for a week. The air still smells like salt and fuel. Couples exercise down the streets together even in the early morning light. And on the corner of every neighborhood block, a real estate agent presents the beauty of coastal Floridian homes to potential buyers.
Nothing has changed. Yet, at the same time, everything has.
I’ve changed. My heart has changed.
Being in the city feels lonelier than it did days ago. Or maybe it’s being in the city without Stetson? Ornotbeing in Waterstone with Stetson?
“Way to make me worried sick over you,” Betsy snaps the moment I enter the penthouse. “Give me a hug, you annoying bitch.”
I shake my head and laugh. “Missed you too, Bets.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Enough of that. What’s going on? I almost called absent daddy myself to figure out what had you rushing home a few days early.”
I gape. “You called Nathaniel?”
“No, but I wanted to. Your text was so vague, Cove. Telling someone you’ll explain when you get there is like the most painful edging experience of one’s life.”
