Page 16 of Tempt you…not!
“I know.”
“Father is still in the hospital. We’re weaker than we’ve ever been.”
“What would you have me do then, dear brother?”
“Stay away from Chadwick, for one. Our lawyers are approaching the Archibalds to discuss the situation.”
“Deal.”
“And…take a vacation.”
I shake my head in frustration.
“I’m not saying give up your role in the company. I’m telling you to put a little space between the event and your return to work.”
“If you act like she did something wrong, people will assume she did something wrong,” Rachel counters.
Slate focuses his gaze on Rachel. “Alysanne most certainly did do something wrong.”
Unable to contain her indignation, Rachel says, “But—”
“It’s fine, Rach.” I get up from my chair and motion for her to follow. “I could use a few days off.”
When we’re out in the hall, Rachel turns to me and wraps me in a hug.
“I’m so sorry. We should have gone home that night.”
“It’s not your fault. I wanted it.”
“At least he was a good lay,” Rachel says, as only she would.
“Not just good, great.” I frown. “But that’s not all there is to him. Rach, I barely know him, but God do I want him.”
Her brow furrows. “You do?”
A single tear slides down my cheek. “He wanted me to.”
“Then…why not have a go at it?”
“With our families, it’s impossible.”
“Dammit, Alyce, you’re so freaking stupid.”
I shake my head. “I need some time alone.”
She gives me one last hug, and I turn to leave, determined to put some miles on the treadmill.
I’m nearly to my room when I realize I left my cell phone in Slate’s office, so I go back down to retrieve it.
As I’m about to knock, voices catch my attention from inside. I press my ear to the door and hear Rachel excitedly chattering.
Why is Rachel in Slate’s office?
Rachel and Slate have never gotten along. He can’t stand how crass she is, and she finds him way too serious.
And then I remember it was her that kept me at the bar. Her that wanted Chadwick. Her that put me in his direct line of sight.
They planned this.
