Page 134 of Everything Has Changed
Margo nods. “I had hoped that if someone could expose him, it would at least slow him down. I figured that if the public knew what was happening behind closed doors, they would be able to speak up and get him to listen. But it was too late. I think he knew there was a leak, so he rushed the contracts.”
That would explain a little bit as to why they were so sloppy.
“Why didn’t you just come out and tell everyone yourself?”
Eyes cast down, she draws a picture with her fingernail along the fabric of the table cloth. “Truthfully, I was afraid of what he would do. I still am. But I am realizing my fear is nothing compared to what would happen to the town that I love and the people in it that I care about if this continues. Even if nothing bad comes from the resort coming in and Triton taking over, I can’t live myself for simply hurting everyone.”
A single tear slides down her face and she swipes under her eyes quickly.
“Did Mitch tell you what we found in the contract?”
“He mentioned you needed dirt to expose my husband, right?”
I nod and she leans back to fish into her purse that she has placed on the edge of her chair. Producing a manila folder, she traces the edges as she lays it in front of her.
“This should be enough. I was saving it for a rainy day. I guess now is as good a time as any.” Sliding over the folder, she places her handover mine when I start to grab it. “I didn’t mean to drag you into this, Gwen. When I chose you for the event, I just wanted to give you a chance one last time, seeing as I wasn’t sure what Willow Grove would even become next year. I see a lot of myself in you. At least the part of me from before I got married. You are a wonderful girl, bright and beautiful. And I have to say if you ever forgive Logan for not being truthful, he would be lucky to have you at his side.”
My mouth parts with shock at her words, not expecting to hear them from her. “You know about us?”
“Of course I do.” The sadness that was previously etched on her face starts to melt away as she smiles at me. “I don’t think I’ve seen my son as happy as he was when you two were planning the festival. I might not have planned for that partnership to happen, but I can’t say I’m not thrilled that it did.”
“What about Camila? I thought you wanted them to be together?”
Margot blanches. “If I never see that girl another day in my life, it’ll be too soon.”
My brows furrow in confusion and she taps her long fingernail on the manila folder. “You wanted something to taint Richard Spencer’s name, how about an affair with his closest friend’s daughter.”
47
Logan
My father was becoming more unhinged as the days went on after the town voiced their concerns. How he ever thought it would go smoothly for him after breaking the news is beyond me. The man was basically giving a big middle finger to the place he grew up—the place that has always had his back—so he can have an unnecessarily large retirement budget.
The days in the office this week have consisted of fielding phone calls from publications wanting the scoop and townspeople demanding answers, along with meetings with investors and lawyers who aren’t happy about the way Willow Grove is being painted in the media. Because even though we are not talking to anyone right now, that doesn’t mean some of the more vocal locals haven’t talked to everyone that would listen.
A few good things have come out of this, though. One being that Camila had to work for her paycheck this week and play her role as assistant instead of being another pretty face. I don’t think I have ever seen her so ragged, hair not perfectly placed and makeup smudged, thanks to continually running her hands over her face in distress.
Another is that my father is getting a fat dose of reality, as his seat at the head of the table is threatened. It’s not often that you get to see richmen get what they deserve. Do I hate that it’s my own father? Sure, but I also believe that justice should be served no matter who you are, and if that means knocking my own flesh and blood down a few pegs because they are being selfish, so be it.
Not all lessons are not meant to be easy. If they were, we would never learn anything from them. And he was learning the hard way right now.
In a way, so was I. I was also learning as I take charge to handle damage control and be the voice of reason when all my father wants to do is throw everyone to the wolves. It took a bit of trial by fire to realize I enjoyed the role. I enjoyed leading and taking charge, and a big part of me was looking forward to what the future could hold after all of this settled. I still stood by my words that I would give the town their choice, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to fight for this role.
That was on the other side of this mountain of chaos, though, and I didn’t want to dwell on that too much right now. My energy was needed in the present.
Except for the part of my brain that was always thinking about Gwen. About the fiery passion that was lit within her as she also took charge in her own way. I’ve wanted nothing more than to reach out to her. Attempt to fix what I broke between us so we could start moving forward. There was so much going on right now that I knew I needed to handle it first. Then I could focus on her.
The silence of my apartment is welcome, for once, after the last few days of nonstop questions and decision making. I immediately fell onto the couch as soon as the front door was shut, my eyes drifting shut out of sheer exhaustion—only to fly open when a knocking sounds on my door.
I stay in my position, willing myself to have supersonic hearing at this moment so I can decide if it’s worth me getting up at this late hour.When it stays silent for another moment, my body sinks further into the cushions. My heavy lids drooped slowly.
Only to fly back open when I hear another knock. This time accompanied by a sweet voice I almost think I conjured out of thin air.
“Logan,” Gwen calls. “I need to talk to you.”
I’m jumping to my feet without a second thought, almost tripping over them in my haste to get to the door. Yanking it open quickly, so she doesn’t think I’m ignoring her, but also so I can see her face again.
“Hey, hi, Gwen. What are you doing here?”
