Page 73 of The Bargain

“Uh-huh. And how’d that work out?” she teased.

“Like shit,” I muttered. We were talking about personal things now. There wasn’t as much need to worry about my language being unprofessional. “One date wasn’t enough. I needed to see him on the weekend and for dinner during the week. I wanted to know all the crazy things he was thinking. We’d both stopped thinking about the consequences of our stupidity because we were so damn happy.”

“I believe it. I can’t remember a time I’ve seen Sebastian happier with someone. Or more depressed since losing you.” She nudged me with her elbow so that I would lift my eyes to her face. She smirked. “So, what are you going to do about it?”

“I—”

What the hell was I going to do about it?

“Would he even still want me? Asking for space hurt him. My entire world was falling apart, and when I looked at him, I felt anger. I didn’t want to feel angry with him. He didn’t deserve it. At least, no more than the anger I felt at myself. Do you think he’d give me a second chance?”

Danielle picked up my hand and held it between both of hers. “Sweetie, I am pretty sure Sebastian would give you a million chances if it meant having you in his life.”

My heart flipped over and raced faster than it had at the impromptu interview this morning. I had a chance. Even if I had to grovel and beg to win another chance with Sebastian, I was willing.

Even before the news of the trust and the job offer, I’d been weakening, wanting to reach out to talk to him. To ask how he was doing.

Oh, fuck that.I wanted to feel his arms around me and have him whisper that everything was going to be okay, because if he said it, I knew it would happen.

After the news of the trust, I’d almost called him a hundred times, but I could never figure out what to say. I was afraid that if we restarted our relationship then, he would always think I’d made the choice because of the money.

“And you don’t think he’ll believe I’m returning because I’m interested in his money? You see, he set up this trust for my brother?—”

Danielle patted my hand. “I know all about the trust. His father loudly told both Sebastian and me that you refused the money he tried to send to pay you off.” She leaned in and lowered her voice. “Sebastian laughed in his father’s face and spent the better part of ten minutes crowing about how you couldn’t be bought. John feels terrible about that offer, by the way, and would like to apologize in person, but make him wait until you patch things up with Sebastian. Don’t let him off the hook too soon.”

My lips twitched with barely suppressed laughter at the idea of Sebastian’s dad apologizing to me. I pushed on to more important things. “If Sebastian and I were to date again, itwouldn’t be a problem if I was also your COO? You wouldn’t view that as a conflict of interest?”

“Absolutely not.”

I sat still for three seconds before shooting to my feet, pulling my hand free from hers. “I’m sorry, Danielle, but I need to get going. There’s something important I need to do right now.”

“Go get him!”

Damn straight, I was gonna go get him. No matter what it took, I was getting my Sebastian back.

25

BYRON GRAHAM

Traffic was considerably lighterwhen I got on the expressway to head south toward downtown, but as soon as other vehicles rushing along I-71 south surrounded my car, I realized I could be headed in the wrong direction entirely. My instincts screamed to go downtown to the office because Sebastian was always there during the week. Where else could he be?

Except I had no idea if he was still on suspension. If he wasn’t allowed in the office, he could be at home. Or out with friends who were kind enough to cheer him up. Or he could be out of the country, living it up on some warm beach where some hot Italian in a speedo was currently hitting on him.

Shit.

Fumbling with my phone, I tapped a button and shouted, “Call Kaylan!”

If Sebastian was in the office, Kaylan would know his schedule and help me get in to see him. This couldn’t be accomplished over the phone or a through a series of text messages. I needed to look Sebastian in the eyes and tell him…

Fuck.What the hell was I going to say?

Sorry I flaked the moment things got rough. Can you give me another chance?

I’m sorry I didn’t believe in you enough to help me out of the pit I’d fallen into?

Oh yeah, that made me more freaking appealing than the hot Italian.

“Hey, Byron! How’s it going?” Kaylan’s voice cut through the car from my phone.

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