Page 45 of Sweet Ruin

“I have, but over these last few months, I’ve begun to reevaluate my priorities. I have more in my life now than I did when I first started working for my father. I don’t want to spend all my time working myself into the ground. I still want to be a part of The LaFleur Corporation, but I don’t want it sucking the life out of me anymore.”

“But you’ve always talked about the LaFleur family’s legacy.”

“I did, yes, butsomeonemade me realize that family is more important than any legacy will be…” From the way he was looking into my eyes, I knew he was talking about me. He wanted to take a step back because of me.

“There was one other thing I wanted to ask you,” he said.

“Oh, man,” I let out an exaggerated gasp. “You’ve already grilled me on my college and career plans. I hope we’re not covering marriage and kids next?”

“No, no,” he chuckled. “Nothing like that. There’s an event in New York coming up, and I was hoping you’d join me for it.”

My cheeks warmed. “An event? What kind of event?”

“Just something I have to go to for work,” he said with a wince. “It’s in a few weeks, and by then, I should have made some more concrete decisions about the company, and I’ll be making an announcement. We can spend the rest of the weekend seeing the city. All the Christmas decorations will be up. It’s a really magical time to be in New York. Of course, you’re welcome to say no, but I’d really like for you to be there.”

“No. I mean, yes,” I quickly corrected myself. “I’d love to come see the city in all its Christmas glory.” I felt like I’d only scraped the surface of New York on my last visit, and I couldn’t wait to go back. I liked the thought of spending some more time with my father as well. We seemed to be making more and more progress. It also sounded like it was important to him I was there to hear his announcement about the company, whatever it was.

“Great.” He smiled brightly. “I’ll make the arrangements for you to come.”

“Great.” I agreed.

The bell above the café door chimed, and we turned to see my mom standing in the entrance. She was smiling at us, and I could see how much it meant to her that I was developing a relationship with Matthew. But I wasn’t the only one who seemed to be forming an attachment with him. Matthew and my mom had barely looked at anyone else over lunch and had been completely absorbed in conversation with one another.

Even now my father was mirroring my mom’s smile. They just seemed so at ease in each other’s presence. It was something I hadn’t expected. Especially knowing what my mom had been through because of Matthew, however unintentionally, and when I knew how different they were. Still, my heart warmed to see them getting along so well.

“What are you two doing out here?” she asked. “It’s getting cold.”

“Just talking,” I said. “But it is a little cold.” I turned to my dad. “Have you got time to come inside for a bit before you go.”

He grinned. “I think I’ve got just enough time for another slice of pumpkin pie.”

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

Along weekend at home was exactly what I’d needed, and when we returned to school on Sunday night, I felt totally recharged for the rest of the semester. At least, as recharged as I could feel when we’d been traveling for hours.

It was late by the time our car pulled up in front of the school, and Anna and Cress were doing their best to stifle yawns. It was after curfew, so there were no other students about, and the school felt oddly empty as we made our way back to the girls’ dorm.

“I’m going to sleep so well tonight,” Anna said as she lugged her two suitcases behind her.

I was tired, but at the same time, I felt wide-awake. I was excited to be back at school, mainly because I couldn’t wait to see Wes again. Last night he’d sent me pictures of him wearing his tuxedo at his family’s gala. He’d looked so incredibly hot. I hadn’t stopped thinking about him ever since.

“Do you think I’d get in trouble if I snuck over to see Wes?” I asked.

“Probably,” Cress replied. “Lisa usually checks students in when they return from weekends away, and you know they’ve been cracking down on curfew since the pranks.”

My shoulders slouched in disappointment. “Yeah, I really don’t want to clean the boys’ bathroom.”

“We could cover for you though,” Anna suggested. “You’d have to be quick, but we could tell her you needed to run back to the car for something.”

“That could work,” I said.

“You’d have to besuperquick,” Cress added. “And even then, she might be a hard ass…”

I glanced toward the boys’ dorm. “I’m sure it’ll be fine,” I said with a grin. Right now, seeing Wes felt like it was worth the risk. “I’ll be as quick as I can.”

Cress took my duffel bag for me, and I started over to the boys’ dorm at a jog, taking out my phone to call Wes as I went.

"Isobel?” He sounded sleepy as he answered, and I had a feeling I’d woken him up. It was close to midnight, but he’d been texting me on the drive back to school, so I’d thought he’d be awake.

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