Bereft (Seven Year Itch #2)(14)

He laughed from behind me. “You should dress like this every day. Damn, woman, no offense, but your husband is a lucky man.”

I froze. Not that I’d ever take anything Chad said serious, but his words this time were like someone putting their hands around my neck and slowly choking the life out of me. I didn’t know how to respond, and I certainly didn’t want this kid to know my personal business. “He is,” I responded, before coming to realize we weren’t going to dinner in the company vehicle. “What happened to the car?”

“Oh, my grandfather needed it for a charity event. You were supposed to attend, don’t you remember?”

It had entirely slipped my mind. I felt like a disappointment as I stood there looking half my age in heels that were definitely going to break one or both of my ankles. “Shit. I forgot about it. It’s been a hell of a week so far.”

“No worries. If you’d like we could swing by after dinner. It’s not a big deal. I’m sure he’d like to see you. My grandfather thinks highly of you. He warned me not to let you go. He told me it was important to do whatever necessary to keep you around and comfortable.”

It wasn’t how I saw things the other day, but I understood why he’d been hush hush. I’d never been able to keep secrets, especially when they involved people losing their jobs. “I have a heart. That’s what he admires about me. Most people in our line of work look for the dollar signs. I’ve always enjoyed what we do.”

He clenched his jaw like he was taking in what I’d said and processing it. It was strange how he wasn’t looking at my body anymore, but more trying to read me from the inside out. I felt uncomfortable.

“We better get going. Traffic was a bitch getting here.”

His steel toned Porsche sat low to the ground. He opened the door for me, while I struggled to find an easy way to climb in without my crotch displaying. I held onto the hem of my dress and basically fell into the seat, finally bringing my legs around in front of me. He closed the door without saying anything, and while he walked around to the driver’s side I thought about getting out and calling it a night.

This didn’t feel like a business meeting. I wasn’t used to tight fitting dresses, or feeling sexy. I didn’t have a dresser full of lingerie. I wore nightgowns and pinned my hair up. The person in this body wasn’t me.

Why was I trying to change again? What had I done wrong?

I started to open the passenger door when he climbed in next to me. “What’s wrong? Did you forget something?”

“I think I should change.”

Chad reached over and touched my knee. I jerked it away as a gut reaction. “Don’t. You look amazing. If you wanted my attention, you’ve got it.”

I let the door close, but felt it necessary to explain. “I didn’t wear this for you, Chad. Like I said before, I didn’t have anything else to put on, and I wasn’t sure where we were going. This is a business meeting, correct? I don’t want you getting the wrong idea.”

“We’re on the same page. Forgive me for overstepping. Where are my manners? What I meant to say was that I like the change. You look happy. Good for you.”

If he only knew how wrong he was. Inside I was the saddest soul. I just prayed I could get through the night without tears. I had to stay focused on my future, because without it I may as well have been dead.





Chapter 7


Grayson


I’d been at the office but gotten nothing productive done. Kyla continued to call so many times I had to block her number. Then she somehow got the office number and tracked me down. I assumed I had a business call, but instead heard her voice on the other end of the line.

“This is Grayson.”

“Why are you avoiding my calls? Did you block my number?”

I rubbed my temples as I spoke into the receiver. “Yes. I told you to leave me alone. Kyla, this has to stop. I need to repair my marriage.”

“Why? You know I can make you happy.”

“You don’t know what I need. You never have. Sex isn’t fulfillment. Please stop calling me.”

“I need you. I feel like I can’t live without you.”

This girl was insane. She was going to stalk me, I just knew it. I closed my eyes and knew what had to happen. “If you don’t stop this right now I’m going to have to tell Stephanie what’s going on.”

“You wouldn’t. She’ll hate you.”

“At this point, I already hate myself. It can’t get much worse than that. I’m asking you again, Kyla, please stop calling me. Whatever happened between us is over. It should have never happened. I hope you have a good life, but I’m going to need you to stay out of mine. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll cut ties with Steph too.”

“She’s my best friend.”

“As far as I’m concerned, you betrayed her. She’ll never forgive you.”

“She’ll never find out.”

I hung up on her and asked my secretary to hold my calls. For the next hour I sat at my desk contemplating how I was going to tell my daughter what I’d done. She would hate me. She’d never forgive me. We’d been through hell when her mother passed away. The woman had been in and out of institutions her whole life. When she was on her meds she was a good person, but off them, she was a danger to herself and others around her. When she died it was like a weight was lifted. I no longer feared coming home and finding my child harmed or worse.