Page 84 of Playing For Keeps
“I feel like I’m in purgatory.”
“Dori, you’ll find a job soon.”
I rest my hands on his shoulders and peer into his loving eyes. “I know, but it’s not just that.”
“What else is bothering you?”
“I don’t have any contact with my family anymore. Your business is exploding, so I barely see you. Melanie is busy getting used to her job. And I… I have nothing but the limited time I get with you when you get home from work.”
“I didn’t know you were feeling this way.” His eyes fill with anguish. “Are you not happy here?”
My heart thumps. “It’s beautiful here. I love being close to the beach and having a break to recharge after everything I went through.”
“But…”
I step out of his space. “But I want more. I feel like I’m losing myself.”
He’s quiet as I mope into the living room. I sit on a chair, bringing my legs up so I can hug my knees. He spins off his stool and sits on the sofa across from me. He leans over his legs, resting on his forearms, and clasps his hands together.
He studies me like he’s searching for an answer he doesn’t want to hear. “Are you having second thoughts about being here with me?”
“I love being with you.”
“That wasn’t the question.”
I suck in a shaky breath and slowly release it through my parted lips. “Now that things have settled, I’m going back to Denver tomorrow.”
His face pales. “Why?”
“I need to see Aiden. We have to figure this out once and for all. I need to see if there’s a chance to mend our relationship.” My eyes sting, but I hold back the tears. “I’ve had enough time to figure my feelings out about what he did, and I hate fighting with him.”
Jami nods. “Okay, but you tried to talk to Aiden the first day you were here, and he wouldn’t give you the respect to hear you out. What makes you think it’s going to be different seeing him in person?”
“He’s just like me when he’s hurt. He needed time to work through his perceived betrayal. I’ve given him a month to get used to the idea of us. If I can speak to him alone, maybe he’ll understand I want him to live the life he’s always dreamed of. And hopefully, he’ll return the sentiment.”
Jami stares at the floor while seeming to think about something. “It sounds like you have it all planned out.”
“I do.”
“How do you know he’ll be around?”
My stomach knots. “I talked with Hunter today. He told me Aiden’s been doing some work for him. I asked more about it, and he told me Aiden’s able to do the work Hunter needs while working from home in Denver.”
Jami’s head snaps up, and hurt flickers in his eyes. “Did you call Hunter, or did he call you?”
“I called him.”
“Why?”
My heart constricts, and I avert my gaze, knowing this next part is going to sting. “When I was fired, he gave me money. I’ve tried to give it back, but he refuses to take it. Because of that, I feel indebted to him.”
Jami pushes to his feet and stands above me. “How much money?”
“Fifty million dollars,” I whisper.
“And you’re just now telling me this?” He huffs and shakes his head. “I thought we agreed to talk and be honest with one another.”
“We did. I just thought I could find a way to give it back by now, and it wouldn’t matter.”
