“I can explain everything to you, Stetson. I’ll explain everything.”
He huffs, shaking his head as his eyes meet the ground. “Seeing him kiss you about killed me. I was ten seconds away from flipping the table and strangling him by the neck.”
He would be doing me a favor.
“I understand.” I have so much to say, but it seems like Stetson has more. And I wouldn’t dare cut him off from sharing the words I know he already struggles to express. There’s anguish in his words.
“Nate is my best friend, and no matter how many times I tell myself it’s wrong of me to want his daughter, my fucking heart keeps steering me back to you. I see you from across the ranch laughing with Abigail or find you sipping your morning coffee, and all I can think about is holding you. Bringing you into my home and making a space for you. But then my mind clears a path for the reality of us, and I’m reassured that misery undoubtedly loves company.”
Please don’t say that.My heart cries in my chest. “I want that, too,” I cry softly, unable to contain it any longer. “I want that more than anything. No misery. Just me in your space.”
“Then tell me why because I’m losing my mind withwantfor you. Overwhelmed with a yearning I’ve never known. And I’m not sure I can spend another minute not kissing you, Cove. Eliminating that poor excuse of a man so that only you and I exist.”
“Stetson,” I whimper, my eyes falling closed. “Listen to me. Let me explain everything to you, okay?” I want to reach for him and beg him to let me comfort him. But he needs to hear my truth.
He sets his black cowboy hat to the side and runs his fingers through his hair. “I’m listening.”
I hold on to the lace fabric of my white eyelet dress for security and tell him everything, pouring my heart and soul into my words, desperately hoping he understands. “As I’m sure you know, last year, Florida was hit by a category four hurricane. Most of the state went without damage, but not Miami. Not my home. My father, Nathaniel, wasn’t around throughout my childhood. I know I told you that before, but what I didn’t mention was his absence by choice. He never wanted me. Never wanted to be with my mom, either, so he took the easy way out. The cowardly way. He left us when I was nine. It devastated my mom and took her years to rebuild on her own without a dime from him. The only thing she’s ever really had for herself is our home. The house she bought on her own, without the help of Nathaniel. And then the hurricane hit and brought nothing but disaster. I’ve been battling with the homeowner’s insurance and contractors for months, trying to uncover all the issues and figure out how to get things fixed without Mom having to take out a second mortgage or loan. She can’t afford it. The added interest. The stress of paying another lender. She already works doubles around the clock with injuries that never fully healed themselves.”
“I was out of options. The bills were piling up, and the final quote for restoring everything was much more thanwe thought. I had no other choice but to ask Nathaniel for help.”
Stetson’s voice stops me from continuing. Two words. “How much?”
I don’t hesitate. “Over one hundred thousand.”
“Exact amount, Cove.”
“One hundred twenty. And that’s if no other problems occur during restoration.”
He nods. “Keep going.”
“I hadn’t spoken to Nathaniel in twenty-one years and never planned to. But I’d do it all over again if it meant helping my mom. She sacrificed everything for me. It’s the least I could do. What I didn’t know until years after he left was that Nathaniel left me a letter saying he had money set aside for me when I turned eighteen. I wanted nothing to do with it. Until now. I knew it was the only way I could help. I make decent money flying, but not enough to support restoring an entire house.”
“When was this?”
“Huh?”
“When did the stress of everything begin?” Stetson looks at me, and I can’t read what he’s thinking. Somehow, that worries me more.
“Oh. Around the time you crashed my double date with Betsy. I was meeting with our handyman and contractors to figure out costs moving forward.”
“And when you reached out to Nate?”
“Right before Chicago.” My voice shakes, and I know Stetson can connect the dots. Chicago was when I started pulling away. At least, I tried at first. I told myself I’d enjoy the weekend with him and reach back out once life was better.
I couldn’t be all in with him if I were going to be at thebeck and call of my father. But fate seemed to have different plans.
He clears his throat. “Thought so. It still doesn’t make sense how you ended up here, and worse, with another man. It’s like you wanted to hurt me.”
“Never. I knew before Chicago that I couldn’t see you right away. Or at least until everything with Nathaniel was settled. I needed to be sure he was good for the money. Especially after the stipulation he put on my request.”
As expected, Stetson’s head jerks up. “Stipulation? What’s that supposed to mean?”
I cross my arms at my chest, and he doesn’t miss the tremble that runs through me. “Here. Sit down,” he offers, but I decline. I can’t sit. Not when my mind is in overdrive, and I need to get these words out so I can move on without guilt weighing me down.
“I think I had unrealistic expectations speaking to him again for the first time. Not that I expected a warm welcome, but at least something other than hostility. I still have no idea why he hates me so much. I mean, I have a bit of an idea now, but still. He’s my father.” I take a deep breath, knowing I’m about to tell Stetson something that could potentially change the way he views his best friend. Or it could change nothing. I’m not really sure what awaits, so I continue. “He told me he’d help me, but not unless I do something for him in return. I was to play his dutiful daughter, enough to convince his soon-to-be business partner that family is important to him. Along with winning over the heart of his partner’s son, Austin, who will be taking over his father’s role in the company. The media needed to see Austin and me happy and in love. Nathaniel said I only needed to play the part for a week, then once the deal was finalized, I’d have my money.”
“He. Did. What?”
