Page 12 of Chilled and Thrilled

There’s not a doubt in my mind I would give her anything she wanted. One smile and I would be pouring money into unnecessary add-on features and spending my Saturdays shopping for bathroom tile.

I set the remote down as I reach the end of the presentation, turning to look at them. “What do we think?”

Sure enough, Wilder’s eyes areon Savvy, who is beaming. “I’m comfortable signing off on that,” he says at last, lifting a hand toward the screen vaguely, gaze still firmly on his fiancée.

“Excellent.” This took an entire twenty minutes instead of the desired two hours. Jesus, on the one day I want a client to be difficult, this happens. “I’ll have the final plans drawn up. You’re fast-tracking this project, correct? Have you chosen a builder?”

We discuss specifics for a few more minutes, and then they’re gone, leaving me alone in the silent conference room.

Exhaling heavily, I brace my hands on the edge of the table, allowing my head to hang. This entire situation has gotten so out of hand, so quickly. Only a week ago I was determined to put it behind me and date other women, and now I’m trying to ignore the weight of my phone in my pocket, knowing what it contains.

Sophie is trying to meet someone.

Sophie has, or had, feelings for me, and believes I don’t feel the same.

Sophie is currently sitting upstairs with my partner, who has made it clear he’s interested in her, and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.

My turmoil is interrupted by a knock, and I turn in time to see my youngest daughter edging into the room, suitcase at her side. “Hey, Dad,” says Leni, moving forward to accept a hug.

Of both my kids, Leni is the one who’s given me the most sleepless nights. Where Honor and I are cautious and logical, Lenora runs on emotion and seems to have been born without fear. My ex and I had more annual emergency room visits for Leni than Honor had in her entire life.

“Heading to the train station?” I ask, offering her a weak smile.

Leni tilts her head, gazing at me. “Yup. Sorry I have to work through Christmas.”

I wave her off. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Is Sophie here?”

My heart tugs at the sound of her name, and the muscles in my face are tight as I try to smile. “I believe so. If you want to say goodbye, she’s working with Holden today.”

Leni doesn’t move, leaning casually against the table. “Did I see you outside the apartment earlier?”

My stomach plummets. “Ah, yes,” I admit, clearing my throat. “I was passing by and thought Sophie would rather not walk in the cold.”

If my daughter has an opinion on this, she keeps it to herself, but it couldn’t be clearer there’s something she isn’t saying. Ice creeps slowly down my spine, but after a moment of silence, Leni only sighs. “I should go.”

“Merry Christmas, Len.” I pull her in for another hug, kissing her dark hair. “I’ll come down to the city to see the show again before it closes.”

The performance she’s in has been receiving rave reviews, but twenty-one years of experience in Lenora Vogel tells me she isn’t happy. While she has worked consistently, a tall order for any artist, she hasn’t been able to land one of the coveted, permanent positions in any ballet company.

Nobody works harder than my kid, though. She’ll get there.

With a last goodbye, my youngest daughter slips from the room, allowing me to drop any pretense of being fine.

Collapsing back into one of the conference room chairs, I stare blindly at the graying light coming in from between the blinds. The possessive, jealous monster inside me is howling to storm upstairs, swing Sophie over my shoulder, and remove her from Holden’s immediate vicinity.

Would he actually date her? The problem is, I don’t know.

Holden might be my oldest and closest friend, but he’s still a self-serving asshole. He’s also a confirmed bachelor who has been consistent in his distaste for marriage, commitment, and love the entire time I’ve known him.

My groan breaks the quiet of the conference room. Worry, jealousy, excitement, stress… Never in my memory can I recall feeling so many things at once.

I’m standing in the eye of a storm of my own creation, and the only way out is through.

5

SOPHIE

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