A Mess of a Man (Cruel & Beautiful #2)(85)

“It’s okay Mom, you can say it. Trevor was an overgrown teenager and Ben is the complete opposite of him.”

“Oh, honey, I didn’t mean that in a bad way.”

“Of course you didn’t. But I agree.” She hugs me and Laney pipes in. “I think Ben is a much better catch.”

“Duh,” I add. They both start laughing as I join in.

“It’s nice to see you happy, Sam,” Mom says. We finish up and join the guys.

“I hate to break up this party, but working girl here,” I announce as I enter the room. All eyes hit me at once.

Dad says, “You work too hard.”

“I have to if I want my business to succeed.”

“Angel Pie, I’ve told you a dozen times, you can come to me and I’ll front you the money.”

“Daddy, I’ve told you a dozen times, not happening. Besides, I’m past that already. Now I need another employee or two and I’m good.”

Ben’s hand flies up in the air. “My bad. Jenna’s supposed to call you. She has the perfect match for you, Sam.”

“Yeah? Really?”

“Yes! I was supposed to tell you today, but everything at work derailed me.”

“I’ll give Jenna a call in the morning,” I say.

Mom asks, “Who’s Jenna?”

“My sister,” Ben says.

“How wonderful.” Mom beams.

Then Ben explains. “Jenna used to run the sales and marketing for banquets at Charleston Spaces. So she has all these connections and when Sam needed another person, I asked her if she knew anyone.”

“This is going to help me so much.” Now I’m excited again. “However, I’m still working girl, so we need to leave.”

I laugh as Daddy’s lip pokes out. “You’d better watch out, Daddy, you might trip over that thing,” I tell him.

He shakes his head. “I get no sympathy around here.”

I spread my hugs around and Ben ushers me out the door. When we get to the front of my house, he shuts off the car.

“Are you going to tell me what happened back there?”

“It was nothing. Just between sisters, you might say.”

He’s silent for a moment and picks up my hand. “You can talk to me, you know. I’m a great listener, at least that’s what Drew said. I’m here if you need me. I care about you, Sam; you can count on me.” He raises my hand to his lips and kisses it.

“Thank you, Ben.” I lean in and kiss him, praying he means what he says. “Will I see you tomorrow?”

He palm cups my cheek. “I hope so. And you were right about your Dad. He’s nothing like mine. And he sure loves his Angel Pie.”

“Yeah, he does.”

“I personally think she may have wings and a halo.” He runs his thumb along my lower lip. What should’ve been a teasing comment all of a sudden makes me feel heartsick. I know I need to tell him the truth about my possible surgery. What’s ahead and what I’m hiding from him looms over me like a darkening cloud threatening hail.

He gets out of the car and walks around to open my door. When we get to my front door, I fumble with the keys. But he’s right there to steady my hand. I know he has it in him to be my rock, but can he?

“Are you sure everything’s okay?”

No, it’s not okay. There’s a possibility I could get breast cancer, which will have you running for the mountains with that messy dark hair of yours on fire!

“Fine, all’s good and fine here, Rhoades. Just open the door so I can get inside.”

He slants his head for a second, but then proceeds to unlock my door. “Sweet dreams, gorgeous, and I’ll call you in the morning.”

I watch him walk to his car and give him a little wave as he drives away. I make it the several steps into my room before I allow myself to break down.





Getting the call from my dad’s admin to come to his office makes me feel like I’ve been called in to see the principal. I have no idea how he feels about the way I handled things while he was gone. When I enter the room, I wipe my palms on my pants.

Dad stands behind his desk and gestures for me to sit. I can’t read the expression on his face.

“Have a seat, Ben.”

I sit in the chair he indicates, trying not to feel five again.

“So how did things go?” He sits at his desk.

Shrugging, I say, “Good. Fine.”

I have no plans in detailing the shitstorm I went through. I did a good job, but when he folds his hands together, I know I’m sunk.

“Full disclosure, Trudy’s been sending me daily reports.”

Keeping my game face on, I don’t know whether to be pissed off or not surprised at all. So I nod.

He’s always been good at maintaining a poker face. Something I try my best to mimic. He taps his fingers together almost in a prayer pose while I wait for the verdict on my job performance.

“I might not have chosen the direction that you took on certain things that happened, but I can’t deny you resolved all issues swiftly and without legal consequence.”

I exhale the breath I’d been holding.

“Thank you, sir,” I say, almost military style. It’s probably the best compliment he’ll ever give me.