Page 75 of Playing For Keeps
“And what would that be?”
“About the money. I can’t keep it.”
I hold my hands up in the surrender position. “There’s no way I’m taking that money back. Not after what my mother did to you. If it weren’t for me, she never would’ve come after you.”
“But I?—”
“Find someone to give it to if you don’t want it because there’s no way I’ll let anyone at Efron Worldwide give you the routing numbers. That money is yours. It’s the least I can do.”
Jamison joins us. I can’t take another minute alone with her, knowing this is the last time I’ll see her for a while.
Sure, I may run into her at a function Mateo is hosting, but it will probably be a year or more before I do. That thought steals the air from my lungs.
I’m about to get on my knees and beg her to stay with me. Every second with her is like rolling in a bed of swords. I’m cut and bleeding out.
Jamison turns to her. “Do you mind if I cut in and take a minute of Hunter’s time?”
“Of course not.” She steps up to me and gives me a hug. “Goodbye, Hunter. Good luck with everything. You deserve to have a great life.”
I wrap my arms around her. “You too, beauty. You too.”
She pulls away with our past love shining in her eyes.
Her gaze moves to Jamison. “I’ll be over there with Melanie.”
“Okay.” He waits until she walks away and then faces me. “I just wanted to thank you for all you’ve done for me.”
I nearly choke on his words. “Are you being serious?”
“Yes. Dori wants all the grudges and hostility to be put to bed. She says holding on to it only causes problems, and she only wants to look to the future. Not only that, but you took a chance on me, and I’ve never properly thanked you. If it weren’t for you and Jonah, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
I nod and decide to take the higher ground. “Well, Jamison, you’re a fucking genius in business. You’re more thana worthy opponent, and you stole my lady. While I can’t say we’ll ever be friends again, I respect you and wish you well.”
He laughs under his breath. “I didn’t steal your lady. According to your theory, she was on loan for a little while, but she was always mine. Regarding the other two things, I feel the same. You have my respect as well.”
I smile at the memory of the night we had our talk about women. We used to be friends, and I enjoyed that friendship.
I sigh and let the anger and division fall away. “In that case, maybe someday we can be friends again.”
He shrugs. “Who knows? Stranger things have happened.”
“True.” I hold out my hand. “Congratulations on your engagement.”
He shakes it then breaks away. “Thanks. I’m surprised she told you.”
“Yeah? Why is that?”
“It just happened. She doesn’t even have a ring yet.” He gazes over at her. “I really fucked up that part.”
I look her way. She’s keeping a keen eye on us as she and Melanie talk. I toss her a smile to tell her Jamison and I are being civil.
He twists back to me. “I know things got out of hand between us. I hope we can leave it in the past now and work to be better men. She doesn’t need any more drama in her life. She’s dealing with too much as it is.”
“I’m willing if you are.”
“Thanks, Hunter. I’m sure she’ll appreciate that.”
“Anything for her.” I inch closer to the counter. “I’ve got to take care of some business, so I’m going to need to cut this short.”
