A Mess of a Man (Cruel & Beautiful #2)(73)

“What?”

“The three of you have all said that. About the bald thing.”

“Oh. But it’s true. It’s a good thing you have thick hair or you’d probably be bald by now.”

“Yeah, truth. But to answer your question, she did. Threaten a lawsuit that is. I’m pretty sure it was mostly about her wanting me to continue a relationship with her, sexual or otherwise.”

I’m not sure I heard him correctly. “Did you say that she wanted a sexual …”

“Yeah. I did. You don’t have to repeat it. So I had the attorneys draw up a letter pointing out the flaws in any potential lawsuit. They addressed our letter and how we hadn’t overstepped our bounds in our language legally. I had to deliver it in front of an impartial witness. Turns out I had two, but I didn’t plan on bringing you there. And yeah, I should’ve told you in advance. I was overly focused on getting her off my back, I guess. So let’s talk about your newest client. That’s pretty exciting.”

It’s so amazing to see his eyes and face light up when I tell him about my latest contract that I almost preen. His full attention is focused on me, unlike when I dated Trevor. He didn’t give a damn about my business. Not only did Ben feed me lunch, but he also nourished my ego. But then his expression crashes when he checks the time.

“I hate this. I need to get back. Filling Dad’s shoes is a lot more than I bargained for.”

“At least it gives you a good idea of what it will be like if you ever decide to take over for him one day.”

“I hope that’s not for a long time,” he says.

He kisses me good-bye and I long for so much more than what he gives.

When I get back to my office, I’m checking my calendar and notice my doctor’s appointment for the day after tomorrow. I hadn’t realized it was this week. My mood sours, as apprehension and fear take hold and their roots grow deep within me.

I hate to do it, but I hit my mom’s number on my phone and wait for her to answer.

“Mom, I’m calling to reschedule our dinner. Ben’s schedule will be freed up in the next couple of weeks after his dad returns from Italy. I’m sorry I didn’t make it the other night. It was a bit crazy here for me.

“Oh, sweetie, that’s fine. Why don’t you come and eat with Dad and me tonight?”

“I can’t, I have plans. I’m sorry.”

“Well, let me talk to your sister and we’ll figure out another night? Oh, and I know I’m pestering you, but do you know when your doctor’s appointment is?”

Every muscle in my body tenses in a very bad way. “Yes. It’s the day after tomorrow.”

I can almost hear her relax. “Good. I’m glad with your busy schedule you didn’t let that slip behind.”

“No, Mom, I didn’t.”

After we end the call, I think about the shit hand of cards my family has been dealt in this issue. I wish it would magically vanish. It’s no use pushing it under the rug, with Mom and Laney here to remind me. I wonder how hard it was on Mom when she became ill herself. Dad must’ve gone crazy with worry. I was a self-centered teenager at the time, and though Laney and I were scared, my parents did one hell of a great job at shielding us from the horrors of her surgery and treatment. I don’t know how they did it.

The constant ringing of my phone pulls me out of those distant and unpleasant memories. Nancy is a godsend when it comes to screening calls. She handles most everything, sending Nick what he can take care of. He’s still not happy with how I left him at the rehearsal party, but that was his fault for scheduling it in the first place. He has one more chance to prove himself. If he doesn’t, then I’m going to replace him.

After my teleconference, I go to meet Jenna. We made plans the night of the anniversary party and we’re finally getting some time to hangout. Jenna is waiting on me when I arrive. I give my name to the hostess and she seats us in a posh private booth, a perk of knowing the manager.

“It totally pays to be in your line of work,” Jenna says after we sit.

“Yeah, sometimes it can come in handy.”

“I want to say thanks again with all your help for my parents’ anniversary. They were thrilled and I couldn’t have pulled it off without you.”

She smiles but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

“No problem, I loved helping.”

“You should know, you make my brother happy. And my parents love you. So maybe you’ll be planning your wedding one day soon.”

I hold a hand up. “I think it’s way too soon for that.”

Thankfully, a waiter comes over and puts the brakes on an awkward conversation. It’s after we order drinks and appetizers that I really get the sense things aren’t good. She’s staring off in the distance, frowning. Add that to the purple bruises under her eyes telling me sleep has been a stretch for her.

“Hey, what’s up? You look like you’ve got something on your mind.”

She grabs her glass of wine, takes a huge gulp, and folds her arms, hugging herself. “If I tell you this, can it stay between us? I mean, I don’t want you to say anything to Ben about it.”

“Sure.”

“I’m having man issues.”

“Ahh,” I nod. “Kenneth.”