The Fine Print (Dreamland Billionaires #1)(57)

A liar is a liar, no matter what excuse they have. And honestly, I can’t imagine anything is worth deceiving me for as long as he did.





28





Rowan





Am I cynical? Yes.

But afraid? Absolutely not.

I’ll prove it to Zahra. I’m willing to put myself out there and be rejected if it shows her I don’t need to hide behind a mask. The person I was around her is the same guy I am today, and I’ll make sure she doesn’t have a reason to doubt me. She’s the first person I let down some of my walls for. Not even my brothers know me like she does, so I’m not about to walk away because she challenged me.

I sigh. Tonight didn’t go close to plan at all. The way Zahra reacted to my hidden identity was anything but ideal. I might have been too optimistic about the potential outcome, expecting her to forgive me because she understood where I was coming from. But I didn’t have a real chance to explain my past and why I would be hesitant to begin with. And honestly, there’s a part of me that wonders if it’s even worth exposing myself like that at the risk of Zahra not forgiving me.

I need to regroup and plan what to do next. Instead of working until late, I wrap up for the night and go home to work out, take a shower, and eat a quick dinner. By the time I drop onto my bed, it’s a quarter past midnight.

I pull out my phone and check my emails. The typical pattern I’ve fallen back into tonight feels emptier than usual. I’ve gotten used to Zahra’s incessant texting and our bedtime conversations about everything under the sun.

I place my phone on my nightstand and turn on the news, hoping to bore myself to sleep.

My phone vibrates, making my heart pound faster in my chest in response. Did Zahra regret what she said in my office?

I swipe my phone off my nightstand. A heavy weight presses against my chest at the message from the group chat I share with my brothers.

Declan: Father received his own letter. It’s official.





Cal follows up with a bunch of curse words.

Shit. I had a feeling he received something, so the news doesn’t surprise me as much as it should. I’m more curious about what the letter said because my father’s relationship with Grandpa had been strained since Mom died. The only reason Father took over as CEO after Grandpa’s accident was because Declan was still too young according to Grandpa’s will.

Me: Did you find out what it said?

Declan: Nothing to report yet. We should keep tabs on anything he does that we consider out of character for him.

Cal: Do you want the short or long list?

Declan: You both spoke?

Cal: He called me last week out of the blue.

Me: What did he say?

Cal: He asked if I needed help. ME.

Cal: Wonder who I should thank for that awkward conversation? Jim, Jack, or Johnnie?

Declan: I warned you what would happen if you got out of control again.





Not this again. Declan already forced Cal into rehab during college. It’s the trigger point that pushed their already weakening relationship to its breaking point. Declan might have done it out of a place of love for our brother, but Cal has never gotten over it.

Me: Did he ask you anything about your letter?





Maybe he was trying to prey on Cal because he thought he could get the best answers out of him. They’ve always had the better relationship out of us three.

Cal: No. I don’t think he knows about ours.

Declan: Let’s keep it that way.





Good. One less obstacle in my way. The thought of going back to Chicago usually eases my discomfort, but it only adds to my already upset stomach. For the first time, it doesn’t feel like an easy choice anymore, and I’m not sure what to make of that.





My first idea to get Zahra’s attention is through her love of food. It’s worked in the past, so I might as well put my theory to good use.

I find her right where I want her—in her cubicle without any Creators around us.

She stares at her computer before typing away in a blank document.

I drop the paper bag on her desk. “I come bearing an apology dinner.”

She slides the bag to the corner of the desk without bothering to look away from her screen. “I’m not interested.”

She continues clicking away at her computer. I grind my teeth together, unsure how to get her attention if she won’t even look at me. Food should have had some effect on her, especially if she’s hungry. Yet, it seems to only work if she actually wants my company.

“How about some apology cupcakes I made myself? Ani gave me her recipe.” I grab the plastic container out of the bag and place it closer to her.

Okay, fine. Ani baked them under my supervision but whatever.

She looks over at me. Her eyes remain glued to my face. “Are you here for work-related reasons?”

I frown at the coldness of her tone. “No.”

“Then get out. I don’t want to talk to you.”

Shit. This version of Zahra is new. I think it’s worse than how she reacted after I made my stupid comments about her mentorship program.

“At least give me a chance to explain. I didn’t go about things the right way the first time, but I have a reason.”