Page 136 of The Bet
She shook her head, and told him how things had deteriorated fast. And in the end, the guy had sent a bunch of heavies to a meeting with her father and his management team, and refused to pay, citing that they’d had enough publicity.
“And that was it? He never thought to sue them?”
“No. The guy was untouchable. He was rich, likereallyrich, and my mom was scared, she worried that he might do something if my dad went up against him. And-uh,” she scratched her wrist, her forehead lining as if it was too painful to think about. “He gets down about it. It’s worse in the winter, though.” She looked up, her expression touching a nerve in him, and it made sense, her wariness, her hatred and contempt for people like him.
He moved closer and entwined his fingers around hers and when she didn’t pull her hand away, he said, “We’re not all the same people, Izzy. I’m sorry for what happened to your dad. I really am.”
It would kill him slowly, inside, if something like that happened to him. He could see how failing bigtime, in a company you had put your heart and soul into, only to have it be ruined by an unscrupulous investor, could be so dangerous. It was obvious to see how something like that had taken a toll on her dad, and his family, even now, years later.
No wonder she seemed down, and subdued.
He lifted her hand and dropped a soft kiss on the back of it. “I can see why you’re so upset.”
“I’m not upset. I’m used to it. I just get sad when I think of him, but …,” She drew in a breath. “It’s nice to be able to offload on you.”
He liked that she thought so. “Offload on me anytime.”
“I haven’t even told any of my friends, not even Cara.
“Cara doesn’t know?”She trusted him more than she trusted her friend?
“No.”
He rubbed her hand gently. “You don’t need Cara, you’ve got me.”
She smiled.
“Want something to eat?” he asked. He assumed she was probably hungry.
“No, thanks. I should go.”
No, dammit. She’d only just arrived.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have asked you to come over. I’m sorry. I should have emailed you the extra work. Truth is, I wanted to see you. The work was just an excuse.”
She looked up at him. “An excuse?”
“I had to think of some way of getting to see you again. I’ve missed you.”
“You did?”
He nodded. He wanted to kiss her. Had never had to think about it before. Usually, he knew within seconds what he wanted, and he claimed it, and with the types of girls he dated, it had been something he’d had to think twice about.
Izzy was barbed wire and roses.
He had to think twice about anything with her. It wasn’t about the sex anymore, it wasn’t about getting physical because he needed the release, it was abouther. He didn’t want to rush things, or move too fast, and most of the time, with Izzy, he wasn’t even sure where he stood.
The sands were always shifting in these initial getting-to-know-you stages, and he was in no rush.
“I’m glad I came over,” she said.
At least he’d managed to get a smile out of her.
