Page 135 of Twist of Fate
I glance up. I’m not sure what I’m expecting. A reaction? But no, he’s still in the same position as before, so I resume mine. “It’s been two and a half years, and it looks exactly the same, down to the very last crystal decanter.”
I fucking hate those decanters. It’s not the sixties anymore, and this isn’tMad Men. “I’m sure a lot of people have wondered why I haven’t changed it. Maybe they think it’s a way of honoring you. Maybe they assumed I was clinging to the memory of the man I remembered, and in a way, I guess I am. But it’s more so I don’t forget every rugby match you missed, every family vacation you skipped, and all the other shit never showed up for because you were in that office, putting the company first.”
I let out a pained laugh. “And I thought that was commendable in a way—all that hard work and whatnot. It kept the doors open, and the employees paid, but I was the one paying the cost. Mam was the cost. So, yeah, I guess I kept that fucking office the way it was as a reminder of my choice.”
And it worked. Every day I walked into the depressing, dark office, I remembered the pain, anger, and resolve in Ash’s voicemails.
I’d chosen and thought I’d have to live with that for the rest of my life.
Until I walked into a conference room and discovered my future waiting for me.
I rise to my feet and stare down at the man I call father. It’s an honorary title at best, not one he’s earned. He only seemed to pay attention and take an interest in the role when it affected him. Looking back, I can see now why I acted out so much; it was the only time he ever noticed me.
God, I was such a cliché.
“Because of you, I always thought I had to choose. One or the other—duty or family.” I shake my head in disgust. “Yeah, fuck that, old man. I choose both. Just like you should have.”
THIRTY-SIX
Aisling
PRESENT
I have no idea what time it is when I hear the beeping of the alarm as Finn punches in the code, announcing his arrival. When I got home from the last site visit and surprise proposal, I decided to lie down on the couch and wait for him.
If the pain in my neck is any indication, it has been a while.
I crack my eyelids open just as he crouches down in front of me. He’s been working nonstop for weeks, so I expect to be greeted by the same tired eyes and a chaste kiss on the cheek before he tells me he’s off to bed.
Instead, he looks…good. Happy, invigorated. Is he high?
I sit up and face him.
“Hi,” he says with a grin.
“Hi?” I’m pretty sure frown lines are creasing my forehead as I stare at him. “Are you okay?” Wait a second; I’m supposed to be mad at him. “Where were you? You missed Shea and Torey’s engagement.”
He missed it all: every tear, every cheer and whoop from the crowd, every heartfelt word. Shea was crazy nervous, but when she finally got down on one knee, she knew exactly what to say. It was beautiful, and I’m so happy for them.
And so incredibly jealous.
Because as I stood there alone once more, I began to question whether Finn and I would ever get to that point or if we were just doomed to fail.
Over and over again.
I groggily glance at my watch and stare in disbelief. It’s nearly two in the morning. What the hell? Did he get lost? I’ve been home for hours.
“I know.” He takes my hand. “I’m genuinely sorry, Ash, and I promise that from now on, I’ll be there for the important things.”
This was an important thing, I want to say, but I don’t because we’ve got a bigger issue to address.
“I didn’t get the job.” My voice shakes with every word of the confession. “We all went to see Nora after the proposal. We wanted to find out as a group. She’s asking Shea and Niall to stay on.”
“I know.”
My brow lifts. “You know?” How does he know? Nora said she had just made the decision before she left for the event.
“She stopped by my office tonight and wanted to run it by me before she told anyone.”
