Page 28 of Savage Temptation
“But you’re not going to be on all the platforms.”
“If someone’s stupid enough to deny my work because I wasn’t at one of several scheduled functions, that’s on them. They’ll lose customers, and they know this. They’re just playing hardball.”
I let out a sniffle. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, now let’s get you to your seat.”
His words are meant to comfort me, but there’s a nagging feeling lingering in my gut telling me he’s being kind. His absence had repercussions, and going forward, I have to make sure my presence doesn’t hinder his success.
Once we’re seated, he answers a few emails, his face stoic. He’s definitely more concerned than he lets on, and he’s probably waiting until he’s alone to let his true emotions out.
The plane lands without issue and we grab our luggage and make our way down the stairs to the concrete. There are two cars waiting for us, one that will bring Atticus to his office, and one that will bring me home.
“Please tell me next time we see each other again it won’t be because you’re behind bars,” Atticus says with a smirk.
“You’re the one that ghosted me for six months.”
His shoulders slump. “In my defense, I did think you were looking to make a case against me.”
I hate that we have to part. It was so easy being with him. So comfortable. Sure, I was bad luck, but I fully intend to spend the rest of our time together making it up to him.
“Would it be uncool of me to say I have no plans and you should call me if you get bored?”
He looks at his watch. “Not at all, though I’ll be out of town for the next three days. Care to come with?”
I shake my head violently from side to side. “Nope. Not interested. I’m staying right here.”
“Then I guess I’ll be counting down the days until I return.” He leans down and plants a kiss on my lips. Something about being in the light of day, near his men, sets me on edge, but I know they’ll keep his secrets.
Then it hits me. I’m a secret.
But it’s how this has to be. In fact, I think I’m the one who insisted on it, because if Lance knew his best friend was screwing around with his baby sister, he could literally end up in jail for the things he’d do to Atticus.
Still, it doesn’t take away the burn.
We part and get into our respective cars, giving each other one last wave.
And once we’re on the road, I pull out my phone and enter into Ashley’s text box.
Ashley:You’ll never believe just what happened.
CHAPTER9
TESSA
If there has been one constant in my adult life, it’s been solid friendships. Ashley has been my best friend since grade school. Cindy, our hairdresser, joined us in college, making the perfect friendship threesome.
And lounging around Ashley’s plush pad for lunch while being waited on is how we like to spend our Saturdays.
Ashley was a mess of tears and apologies after I returned to the states, vowing to somehow make things right. I let her grovel, bestowing my forgiveness only when she promised to be more careful when traveling internationally, and I didn’t force her to make that promise for my own protection. If anything ever happened to her, I’d be lost.
Ashley lifts her glass. “To me, as I am now the proud owner of seventy-five percent of the peanut farms in Arizona.”
I raise my glass to meet hers with aclink. “Hear, hear! All hail Queen Peanut!”
“That’s pretty awesome,” Cindy says, “but what is it about Arizona?”
“There are labs there that focus on trying to grow peanuts that are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction. I plan on seeing what the science says and what I can do with it.”
