Page 130 of Powerless
“Thank you.” I shoot him a sarcastic smile before moving to the chair beside the window, across from my dad. As far away from Sterling as possible.
Dad’s eyes sweep over me, assessing me, and I wonder what he sees. I wonder if he can tell I’ve lifted the veil and see him more clearly than ever.
I don’thatehim. I am indifferent toward him.
He used to tell me he wasn’t angry, just disappointed with me. And that’s how I feel about him now.
Deeply disappointed. Because I’ll always love him. He’s always been someone I’ve looked up to, and to find out that was all fabricated, or not true to his character, is disappointing. Knowing that another man in my life didn’t love mequiteenough to overcome his own shit stings.
But it stings less with my hair pulled back, nails painted blood red, and wearing a black pantsuit with shiny tuxedo lapels.
Winter was right. I feel ready to kick ass and take names.
“Happy birthday, Sloane,” Robert says, lifting a glass of wine without offering me one.
I reach over and pour myself a big one. Another faux pas at a place like this is not waiting for the server—or to over-pour the way I just did.
But I’m fucking done waiting around for these men to get their shit together, and I deserve a jug of wine for even being here.
“Thanks, Dad,” I finally reply after leaving them both hanging with their glasses in the air while I poured. Clearly, neither of them is gentlemanly enough to offer.
Glasses clink and we drink. I keep my eyes laser- focused on my dad and roll my lips together primly, tasting the wine. It’s expensive, but I’d rather crush a Buddyz Best.
“When’s Mom coming?” I glance around the restaurant, really putting on a show of it, but I know she isn’t coming. She told me she isn’t. Mom also told me she found that video on Dad’s phone and sent it to me anonymously on my wedding day. I assume it was blackmail fodder.
It would seem she and I came to our senses right around the same time. It would seem Robert Winthrop has finally pushed us both too far.
“She’s a little under the weather today. It’s just the three of us tonight.”
“Actually . . .” a voice I never expected to hear chimes in. My heart lurches in my chest, composure slipping for just a second. It feels like I’m moving in slow motion as I turn to see Jasper standing at the end of the table, looking heart-stopping in a perfectly tailored suit, eyes on me, smug grin on his lips. “It’s going to be the four of us.” He steps toward me with authority, leans down and tips my chin up to him, eyes capturing mine with a look of ferocity. “Sunny, I’m sorry I’m late.”
Late.
It’s such a simple sentiment. But it warms me from the inside all the same.
He’s here.
All I can manage is a firm nod, one he returns before pressing a bristled kiss to my forehead and taking a seat beside me.
My rock. My comfort. The boy with the sad eyes and the heart of gold.
I turn toward him. “You have a same.” I glance down at the dainty Rolex on my wrist. “Right now.”
“We made a promise in that truck, remember? I can’t go without you again. Nothing is more important than being here with you.” He palms my knee under the table and inclines his head toward my outfit. “You are stunning, by the way.”
Nothing is more important than being here with you.
I swallow a couple of times, unable to tear my eyes from the man before me. The promise. He’s right. And I promised him too.
“Jasper . . .”
His hand squeezes reassuringly. “The answer is yes, Sloane.”
My head tilts. “Yes, what?”
“I’ll take that gamble. All day long. Every damn day.”
My eyes sting and I will away the wetness. I’m not going to cry here. I will not let my dad and Sterling be privy to this moment.
