Page 51 of Dating the DILF
“What happened?” I probe. She was so excited about that company. They were the first clients she had brought in to the firm and she was determined to work her ass off for them.
“It’s not a big deal. They asked to have a different lawyer work with them.”
I roll to my side so I’m facing her, my eyes examining her closed expression.
“Why would they do that?”
She sighs and the sound of it sends a chill through me. “They weren’t happy with the publicity I’ve been getting.”
“Because of me.” My words are hard.
“Miles, please don’t worry about this. I’m not.” She presses a kiss to my mouth. “I have plenty of clients to keep me busy. Speaking of which, I need to get back to the office.”
She hops out of the bed and begins dressing. I can’t even enjoy the view because my attention is still wrapped up in her confession.
The career that she has busted her ass for, that means so much to her, is under threat. Because of me.
I watch her dress silently and let her kiss me goodbye with a promise to call tonight.
As soon as the door has shut behind her, I jump into action. I refuse to let our relationship destroy something so important to her.
Snatching up my pants off the ground, I pull out my phone and type a quick message to Harvey.
I’m in. Tell me when and where and I’ll be there.
“You look like you’re going to throw up.”
I glance across at Aspen who is seated on a sofa opposite me.
She offers me a carefree smile. “It’ll be over soon, just relax.”
I let my eyes travel the length of her body, from her flawlessly made-up face to the red-soled stilettos on her feet.
“Why did you agree to do this show?” I’m suddenly desperate to know why this intelligent, beautiful woman would knowingly agree to be a part of something so tacky.
“Why did you?” she counters.
“I wanted to find a partner.” It’s my standard reply, but for the first time, I consider if it’s the whole truth. “I felt like my life wasn’t my own anymore. Maybe the show gave me a chance to run away for a while.” The admission guts me, knowing I’m in this position right now because of my own cowardice.
“You’re a good guy, Miles, and I am sorry for what happened. But this was a job for me.” She frowns, a small crinkle appearing between her eyes. “As desperately as you needed an escape, that’s how desperately I’ve been trying to get my break. It was never supposed to get so complicated.” Her voice gently rebukes.
She’s right. If I had just gone along with everyone and chosen one of the girls, none of this would have happened. It all comes back to me and my stubbornness. The entire shitshow that has been my life for the last year is entirely my own fault. All of the crap that Charlie has been dealing with, is on me.
“You okay, there?” Aspen gently prods.
“Yeah. Just ready to get this over with.”
“Okay, guys.” Jeremy, the host of this joke, takes a seat on an armchair between us. “The segment with all of the girls will make up the majority of the show, what we film now will be edited to fill the last twenty minutes.” He looks across at me, his face deadly serious. “We’ll go through the timeline from the show and, Miles, you’ll explain yourself, tell us how you regret the way you handled everything, how great the show is, how wonderful Aspen is, yada yada yada.” He rolls his eyes and, again, I question the morality of the people involved in this show and the disregard they show for people’s lives and reputations.
My phone vibrates as someone in the studio screams, “Two minutes, people.” I quickly check it, and when I see Charlie’s name, I have to swallow down my guilt.
I didn’t tell her I was coming here today. She thinks I flew to Los Angeles for a conference. I hate lying to her, but I know she wouldn’t approve. She’d tell me it was unnecessary and will just fan the flame when we should be leaving it to die.
But I can’t let her career be a casualty of my fuckups and this is the fastest way I can put a stop to the treatment she’s been receiving.
It ends today.
The heat from the studio lights has left me with a sheen of sweat and a petite makeup girl pats some powder onto my face as people rush around us, preparing to start filming. From the scowl on her face, I assume she’s a friend of Sophie’s.
