Page 56 of Stranded with the Billionaire
“Why? Why did you do it?” Sterling asked again. This time she wasn’t asking for why he’d chosen to make restitution on his behavior. “Why even go through that much work to destroy my career?”
“I admit that I was angry. I felt that you had been lying to me the entire time in pursuit of a story. I felt betrayed because I had started to really enjoy your company. I liked you,” Jake frowned at the memory, reluctant to confess his feelings but Dixby had coached him that if he wanted to succeed in this, then Jake was going to have to tell Sterling how he felt. “I had intended to ask for your phone number to stay in contact afterward. I felt that we had connected. I thought that you might have feelings for me as well.”
Jake sighed as he debated how to frame his next words. “Being a Ramesly isn’t always the easiest thing. People tend to always want something from me. I’m constantly looking for an ulterior motive. It was refreshing to think that you had none.”
“Then you found out that I did,” Sterling said glumly.
“Yes. I was furious,” Jake acknowledged. “I was sick of the tabloids profiting off my family. I was angry that my father and Michael’s reputations were being shredded. Mostly I was mad at myself for being duped by you. Instead of dealing with that anger, I directed it at you and Dubious. I dealt with you like I would anyone who had crossed me in the business world since I had expected that you viewed our interactions as business only. Worse than that, I honestly felt like you had been laughing at me. Here I was, starting to fall in love with you and you were just doing your job, trying to get pictures and an article. It stung my pride.
“What I did, blacklisting you, was inexcusable. Buying Dubious and shutting it down was a bad move, both financially and because it hurt you. Again, I apologize for my conduct. I was wrong to do that and I hope by helping your family, I can restore everything I took from you,” Jake continued. “I understand now that you were desperately trying to help keep your parent’s company functioning. I understand why you had to write those articles and I have to admit that you do have a flare for the written word. I don’t expect you to forgive me. I’ll give Mr. Hawkins and your brother my business advice, but mostly, I expect to be a silent partner. If you want to take over Dubious, you’ll have full reign and I’ll just fund it. You’ll never have to see me again.”
Jake regretted the offer as soon as he made it. However, he knew that he had to respect Sterling’s wishes. If she didn’t want to see him, then he wouldn’t see her again, it was that simple. He fervently wished that she would want to talk to him again, not just because he wanted her help with clearing Michael’s good name. Jake intended to do what was right this time.
He’d said he had started to fall in love with her, Sterling hugged those words to herself, trying to absorb them.
“Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins, I’ll be in touch,” Jake shook Owen and Paisley’s hands. He turned to Sterling. “Sara… or Sterling, I guess this is goodbye.”
“Maybe not,” Sterling decided it had probably taken a lot of courage for him to admit that he was wrong and apologize. Men like the Rameslys generally didn’t have to do that. The fact that he had humbled himself before her and done so much for her family as restitution, meant that Jake was making an effort to right his wrong. Despite his eloquent speech, she could see that he wasn’t used to apologizing and was embarrassed to be doing so in front of her parents. It was humbling to see him like this. Sterling decided she could meet him halfway. “I liked you too.”
Ignoring the nervous beating of his heart, Jake focused on Sterling. “Do you think that maybe we could start over? Just talk. Get to know each other. Perhaps go out on a date?”
“I’d like that,” Sterling admitted. She gave Jake a tentative smile which he returned.
“There is something else,” Jake thought it best to get everything out in the open.
Sterling’s stomach dropped and her smile faded. She waited patiently for what he might say.
“I was wondering if you might help to try to clear Michael’s name. You have resources that my family doesn’t. You could speak to your contacts in the FBI or elsewhere to find out if there is any evidence that will help him,” Jake asked. “I’d appreciate any help you could give.”
She digested his words, anger building up. “Did you just do all this to manipulate me into helping you? Is that what this whole thing was about? Using me and my sources for your cousin?”
“No!” Jake protested quickly. “That’s not the way it is. Even if you don’t want to help Michael, I meant every word I said. I still want to see you and get to know you better Sterling.”
“It’s Sara,” she said curtly, wondering at his motives.
“Forget I said anything,” Jake put his hands on her arms with a beseeching look. “Let me buy you lunch. We can get to know each other better. You can tell me what it was like growing up in Pendle while I fill you in on what it’s like growing up a Ramesly. Please?”
It was the ‘please’ that convinced her. Jake was being truthful. Sterling decided to tell him about what she’d already done. “I already agreed to try to help Michael. I gave evidence to Drew Colborne about David Ramesly. It’s perhaps enough for the police to start an investigation into David. I’m not sure how my sources are going to be of any help to Michael though.”
“Drew Colborne?” Jake furrowed his brows, trying to place the familiar name.
“Your cousin,” Sterling said dryly. “He’s David’s son from an affair with Margot Colborne.”
Jake nodded as he remembered. “He’s the police officer, isn’t he?”
“A detective,” Sterling confirmed.
“Thank you for agreeing to help Michael. He’s innocent of what they are trying to accuse him of,” Jake responded, grateful that she was going to help.
“I notice you didn’t ask me to help with trying to clear your father,” she looked at him for an explanation.
“That’s because he’s admitted to his guilt,” Jake didn’t hesitate to tell her. Everyone would know soon enough when Robert entered his plea to the court.
“Jake,” Sterling said in sympathy as she took his hand. “I’m so sorry.”
He shrugged. Jake would be there however he could for his dad, despite what his father had done. He loved Robert. It also meant that there was going to be a big fallout for the company. “Everything is going to change.”
“Yes,” Sterling agreed. “If you’re nice to me, I’ll stick around and face it with you.”
