The Exception(36)

“Did you pay off the limo driver?” He smirked.

“I sure did. Except he opened his mouth to my parents, who apparently paid him more than I did.”

“Ouch. What a dick.”

“Yeah. Except he didn’t tell my parents that I got into a cab. The next day, Kellan went to the hotel, boxed up the wedding dress, sent it off to Wisconsin, and checked out of the hotel.”

“So no paper trail on your end?”

“Nope. I left all my credit cards at home and my bank account untouched.”

“If it’s not too personal, how are you paying for everything?”

“When my grandmother died, and I turned twenty-one, she left me four million dollars in an offshore account that was untraceable because she knew I would need it someday.”

“So you literally vanished.”

“Yep. I sure did.” I smiled.

“Remind me never to cross you.” He winked.

“They made me that way, Drew. I’m not really that person. I just needed to escape and find me. Not the Jillian Bell they made.”

“I understand. You did what you had to do. That doesn’t make you a bad person.”

“Thanks. But somehow I still feel like it does.”

“Come on. I’m going to take you home now. It’s getting late and I have an early meeting.”

As soon as Roland pulled up to my building, Drew walked me up to my apartment.

“Thank you for making my shitty day a little less shitty.”

“It was my pleasure.” He placed his thumb on my chin. “I’m happy you’re here.” He leaned in and brushed his lips against mine.

“Good night, Jillian.”

“Good night, Drew.”

He turned and began to walk down the hallway. Pulling my phone from my purse, I dialed his number and watched as he answered his phone.

“Drew Westbrook.”

“Hi. Now you have my number.”

He turned around as his lips gave way to a sexy smile. “Indeed I do.”

Stepping inside my apartment, I headed to the bathroom and turned on the water for a hot bath. After pouring a capful of lavender-scented bubble bath, I stripped out of my clothes and climbed into the warm, soothing water. My head was a mess. My sister was dying and I was reunited with a man whom I never thought I’d see again. A man I couldn’t give my heart to, even if I wanted, because I didn’t know who that heart belonged to.





Chapter Twenty-Two


Drew



I hated leaving her, but I had no choice. I had to be at the office in the morning by seven, and I would have had to have gotten up really early to leave her place to come home and get ready. Today confirmed what I already knew. I was in love with Jillian Bell. This strong feeling was something I’d never felt before. I’d never felt this way about any woman I had ever dated, including my ex-fiancée. All I wanted to do was hold her tight and tell her that everything was going to be okay. What the f*ck was I doing? She shouldn’t be alone tonight after hearing the news about her sister. Fuck it. I went into my closet, grabbed a suit, packed a small bag, and took a cab back over to her place since I sent Roland home. Whether she needed me or not, I was going to be there.

As I stood outside her door, I took my phone from my pocket and called her.

“Hello,” her soft voice answered.

“Hi. Come to your door.”

“Drew?”

“Yeah. It’s me.”

I heard the locks unlocking and she opened the door as her phone was still pressed to her ear.

“I don’t think you should be alone tonight,” I spoke as I stared into her beautiful blue eyes.

“I agree.” She smiled.

I slipped my phone back in my pocket and stepped inside her apartment. She took hold of my hand and led me to the bedroom. After stripping out of my clothes and setting my alarm, I climbed in where I wrapped my arms tightly around her and she snuggled against my chest. Neither of us spoke a single word. I kissed the top of her head and we both drifted off to sleep.

The annoying sound of my alarm going off woke me out of a deep sleep. Letting out a moan, I reached over and turned it off. Jillian stirred and opened her eyes.

“Good morning.” Her lips gave way to a sleepy smile.

“Good morning. Go back to sleep. I’m just going to take a shower and get ready for work. I promise to be quiet.”

“Nah. I’m good. I’ll go make us some coffee while you’re in the shower.” Her lips pressed against my chest.

“You don’t have to, Jillian.”

“I want to, Drew. Now shush up and go take your shower.”

“If you insist, Madame.” I rolled on top of her and kissed her soft lips.

After getting out of the shower, I wrapped a towel around my waist and walked to the kitchen.

“Here you go, sir. One fresh cup of coffee in a brand new stylish mug compliments of Bed Bath & Beyond.”

I chuckled. “Thank you. If you don’t mind, I’m going to take it in the bathroom with me so I can finish getting ready for work.”

“I don’t mind at all. I’ll take mine back to bed with me.”

She climbed into bed while I shaved in the bathroom.

“So tell me how it felt to take a shower in your old shower.”