Page 50 of One is Never Enough

“Like Toby said, I knew you wouldn’t let it go. Plus, Dad messaged me yesterday and said he wanted to talk.”

“Are you going to?” I ask, squeezing Aiden’s thigh under the table.

Aiden shrugs. “I don’t know. Usually, he just shows up when he has something to say. He’s never given me an option before.”

“I’m probably not the one to give dad advice,” I say. “But I think you should hear him out on your terms. Have him meet you somewhere neutral. Do it for you, not him.”

“When’s the last time you talked to your dad?” Toby asks softly.

“Years. The last time I saw him, he was an alcoholic.”

“Do you ever want to contact him?” Jace asks.

“No. He’s as dead to me as he said I was to him.” My dad’s voice can still be loud in my head, but the guys have given me a way to shut it up. I would love nothing more than to have a relationship with my father, but it’s not something that keeps me up at night anymore. I have the guys, Leland, and Payton, that’s all I need.

We finish eating, and I tell the guys goodbye. Just like clockwork, the driver is already waiting for me when I walk down the steps with the door open. “Good morning, Cass!” I call out, and he smiles.

“Good morning, Oliver.” Cass is an older gentleman but still very handsome. He’s also huge and ex-military, which I’m sure is the reason Jace gave him to me to use. I’ve gotten to know him, and he’s a really nice guy. “Where to this morning?”

“To the office.”

I slide into the car, and he shuts the door behind me. I’m meeting one of my newer clients, and I’d never admit it to the guys, but he makes me uncomfortable. But I couldn’t pass up the business because he has me designing everything for three new businesses. I check emails and messages on the drive, and before long, we’re pulling up out front. Cass opens the door, and before I walk away, I turn back to look at him. “Can you hang out inside today?”

Cass shuts the door without another word and follows me inside. The building has several different offices with one secretary by the door. I smile on my way by and go to my office door. “Is something wrong?”

I sigh and turn the key in the lock. “The guy I’m meeting today gives me the creeps.”

Cass’ brows furrow. “Has he done something to you?”

“He’s…touchy. And I’d rather none of the guys get a murder charge.” I set my bag on the desk and pull my laptop out.

“Would you like me to stay in here?”

“Can you wait by the door, on the outside? He’s weird about people knowing what he’s doing before he can announce it.”

“Absolutely.”

“Thank you, Cass.”

Cass gives me a simple nod and slips back out the door. I sit down behind the desk to set everything up and, at nine o’clock on the dot, my client Trent walks in. He’s around my age and filthy rich because of Daddy’s money. The last time I met with him was at a small cafe and instantly regretted the decision. I plaster a smile on my face and stand up. I stick my hand out to shake his hand. “Nice to see you again, Trent.”

“You too, Oliver.” Instead of shaking it, he grabs it and flips it over to kiss the back of it. His lips linger too long, and I try to keep the revulsion off my face. “Do you have some designs for me?”

“Of course. Have a seat.” I tug my hand from his grip and flip the big screen on so he can see them in full detail. “I started on the club first.” I get everything on my laptop and pull up the folder. I start flipping through the designs, explaining everything to him as I go. I designed his logo for the building, his menus, and anything else that I could think of. “I’ll be working on the restaurant this week.”

“You’ve been very busy.” Trent sits back in his chair and gives me a look that instantly has my back up. “I heard some interesting news last week.”

“And that was?”

“That you’re involved with Jace Masters.”

“You know Jace?”

Trent waves his hand. “We run in the same circles. I hate to tell you, Oliver, but he’s already involved with someone else.”

I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing. Is he trying to put a wedge between me and Jace? Never going to happen. “I’m aware of Toby and Aiden.”

“You deserve someone that gives you all of their attention.”

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