Page 72 of Never Till Now

“I’m surprised you didn’t ask to transfer to Aspen when the location opened months ago.” Where the hell is he going with this?

“I do love the mountains, but leaving Mallory and James held me back. Kelsie needs me too.” I had thought about transferring to Aspen when we opened at the beginning of the year. Before the shitstorm blew up with my sister and her now ex.

“I think your mother and Max have her well taken care of.” I don’t miss how his eyebrows rise when he mentions Max’s name. “I know how much those kids adore you.” He taps his pen on his lip before pushing off the desk and straightening his spine. “Stop by tonight for dinner. Your mother misses you.”

I nod and lose myself in numbers until the day is finished.

I head down to the lounge to relieve some stress on the piano when I spot Kelsie and Lauren at a table. Papers sprawl out as they huddle over them in deep analytics. They both know I play, but I can’t get lost the way I want to if I know people are actually focusing on me. Lauren glances my way and her smile falters. Her eyes grow with a questionable panic. Huh. She mutters something to my sister and starts to clean the table, putting the papers back into a folder. I quicken my pace as curiosity gets the best of me.

“When did you two become besties?” Is this a bit awkward or concerning?

“Since you were a jerk to both of us at the gym and we bonded by talking shit about you.” Lauren slips the folder into her bag and stands. “Kidding. Sort of.” She kisses my cheek and looks down at my sister. “Thanks again, Kelsie. I will send you a text in a few days and let you know how this week goes.”

“Looking forward to it, girly.” My sister’s eyes light up for the first time in months.

I take Lauren’s seat and wait for my sister to choose where this conversation goes. Lately we haven’t had much time together and I am at complete fault for that. Thankfully our best friend has been there for her, pulling most of the weight, but guilt fills my soul knowing I should be putting more effort in. Kelsie twists in the chair to crack her back, making me cringe. She relaxes into the chair, crossing her arms around her frame. Starting a conversation closed off already tells me I’m not on her best side.

“Kels, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. You’ve been carrying the weight of this hotel far more than I have.” She sighs. “I know I’ve let everyone down lately. I’m trying to get back into the routine for work. The plus side is how James is loving preschool.”

“You’re a mother giving attention to her kids and going through a shitty situation. Don’t apologize for that.” I stare down at the table. “I’ve just missed working with you.”

“You have me part time through the week.” She smiles. “Max was right. I do feel better when I get up and get ready for the day.”

“He’s been helping a lot, it seems.”

“Max has always had my back. I don’t know what I would do without him.” She smiles but it falters. “I swear he loves my kids more than their own father.”

“Who is with the kids right now?” I redirect the conversation, hoping to change to a lighter topic and make her laugh.

“Mom is. I’m headed there for dinner and to pick them up.” She glances at her watch. “Hopefully they’ll be tired enough for an early bedtime.”

“I’ll help you put them to bed.” Max’s previous words come to mind. “I know that can be a tiring situation.”

“It’s not a situation I will complain about. They’re my kids. I chose to have them.”

“You didn’t choose this situation. I want to help you tonight, Kels.” She nods and a small smile of relief filters over her face. “What were you and Lauren looking at?”

“She didn’t tell you?” Her puzzled brown eyes widen in surprise but she’s excited about something. “She wanted marketing advice to launch a business-type idea thing.” Well that’s a lot of words and fucking vague.

“Sorry, a what?” Naivety washes over me as Kelsie speaks those triggering words.

“It’s not my place to say much. I know she will tell you when she’s ready, but it’s a brilliant idea. I’m happy to offer my time.” She smiles as my gut drops.

I force a tight smile and rise from the table. “Cool. I’m going to change before dinner.”

My head spins as I step into my penthouse. I can’t pinpoint if it’s anger, distrust, or hurt that spews through my clenched stomach first.

Lauren has a business plan? Am I the only one smart enough to catch on to what’s happening? Kelsie sure as hell isn’t aware of what’s going on. You would think Kelsie’s wound from being used was still bleeding. Yet, she was manipulated all over again. We all were. My father couldn’t even see through the fucking witchcraft of this woman.

I know I’m experiencing firsthand foolishness in thinking Lauren was different from the rest. She’s not different, just craftier. Using people is a mode of survival and probably how she most likely coped through life. Is she really a practitioner because she studied her ass off or just slept with the right people? I remember how she threw herself at me when she officially moved to this city. Is she playing hot and cold to test how far I’ll give in? Her secret agenda is easy to accomplish when you haven’t been taught how to morally use your damn heart.

I turn on the shower and lean over the toilet, emptying my stomach. The distaste in my mouth matches the one my heart feels. I should have known this was too good to last more than a couple months. I wonder how she will go about using our family name or what ploy will be used to con a donation from one of us.

I need her to say it to my face. To at least have the dignity to admit this was her plan all along. Only, I wish I didn’t feel this fucking sting in my heart from it. I decide to play it cool and play her at her own game. I want to give her the benefit of the doubt, considering she has never shown interest in my family’s money. Part of me feels uneasy because her attitude might be quickly shifting to profits as our relationship grows. If I let it grow.

I quickly change, down a scotch, and head to my parents’ for dinner.