Page 29 of Blackmailing the Bad Girl

“Summer.”

And Summer burst into tears.

It was becoming a habit. This was definitely the last time. But these were tears of relief and happiness. She suddenly realized how worried she’d been about this meeting. She ran the last few feet, fell to her knees, and buried her head in her mom’s lap. Like she had when she was a little girl.

Her mother stroked her hair, and they were silent for long minutes. Finally, Ginny cleared her throat from the doorway, and Summer straightened.

Ginny placed a tray of tea on the table close by and then headed out of the room. “Just let me know if you need anything else.”

“Thanks, Ginny,” her mom said.

Summer got to her feet as the door closed behind her. She poured them both tea and handed her mother a cup. She took it with sure hands and placed it on the small tray attached to the arm of her chair.

Summer picked up her own cup and sat down. “Sorry,” she murmured. “I’m okay, just…” She shook her head. The last thing she wanted was her mom worrying about her. “I’m fine. It’s good to see you.”

“You don’t look fine. You look thin. And pale and tired.”

“I ate too much last night and spent the night throwing up.”

“Alone?”

No way was she going to try to explain Nik to her mother. That would make her worry. But she couldn’t outright lie. “No, I met an old colleague. We had a…meal together.” Well, half a chocolate cake. “But I’m just not used to it.”

“I’ve been thinking. Maybe you could move in here now that you’re out. You could get a local job. We could spend some time together. Get to know each other again.”

“I’d like that, but I can’t. Not right now.” She took a deep breath. “I’ve got a job. A good one.”

“Do they know about…your past?”

“Yes. That colleague I saw last night? He needs an assistant.”

“Why would he take you on?”

Good question, and one she really wished she knew the answer to. “He’s sort of this Good Samaritan type. Believes everyone deserves a second chance.”

“He sounds nice.”

Hah. Not the word she would use to describe Nik Masterton.

“Young?” her mother asked.

“Youngish.” She knew where this was going.

“Well, you keep your distance. If you want a man in your life, how about that friend of yours, Danny? He’s been good to me. Visited every week without fail. We talked about you a lot.”

“He’s fabulous, but we’re like brother and sister. Nothing romantic.” She loved Danny, just not like that. “Anyway, he’s got a girlfriend.”

Her mother sniffed. “I know, I met her, but she’s not as pretty as you. He’d be safe. Reliable.”

She had an image of Nik, last night. Naked. So freaking hot, he nearly melted her. He epitomized everything her mother considered unsafe and unreliable.

“I still think you could move in here. The commute isn’t too long.”

“I’m sharing an apartment with Regan and Darcy. I can’t let them down. Regan’s starting a business. I’m going to help with the accounts, though it has to be unofficial. I’m banned from positions of finance, at least until my probation is up.”

Her mother held out her hand, and Summer took it. “I know you did it for me.”

She shrugged, uncomfortable with where the conversation was going.

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