Page 148 of Shared By the Highest Bidder

I’m tired of playing two or three steps ahead of everyone. These are grown men. Emery built this business by taking what he wants. If he really wantsme, he’ll fight for me.

“Knock, knock,” I say, chipper in case I’m just imagining things.

“Hi,” he says coldly, looking at something on his desk and not at me.

Maybe I didn’t imagine it.

“You’re here early. I made you some coffee.”

“I had a cup at home, thanks.”

Home. A place I haven’t even seen. Looks like I won’t. Maybe because—my throat tightens—he spent all weekend with his ex.

“How’s Jess?” I ask because I can’t seem to move.

“Fine.”

My spine jerks at these one-word answers. I gulp back sadness and turn away.

“She asked about you,” Emery calls out, his voice uneasy.

“Oh.” Slowly, I turn around, holding my stomach. “That’s sweet. Did she enjoy parents’ weekend?”

“I guess. She didn’t ditch me the way other kids did to their parents.” He finally looks at me. “What’s wrong?”

“Parents’ weekend.” I clasp my chest. “My parents passed away right after I left for college.”

A week earlier, I would have been home and died alongside them. My town didn’t stand a chance.

“Shit. I didn’t know that.” Emery rounds his desk. “Wait, did I know that?”

“I mentioned they died, but I don’t expect you to remember some random fire in California.”

He stands over me, his hand raising to caress my cheek, but he stops.

Without a kiss hello, or a real smile, my greed and pride get the better of me.

“Hey.” I grab his jacket.

“Yes, Bernadette? Do you want something?”

“Of course, I do.” My eyes tear up, and I wonder if I’m getting my period. “I wanted to hear from you this weekend. I know you were with your daughter, butyou said you’d call me.”

“I’m a busy man.” His eyes glaze over, like he’s thinking. He didn’t remember. That hurts more. “And that goes double when I’m with my daughter.”

“And your wife.”

“Ex-wife.” His deep voice melts over me with the correction.

His fingers close around mine and they gently loosen from his jacket.

He doesn’t want me touching him.

I gulp down nervous laughter. He paid five hundred thousand dollars for me and doesn’t want to touch me.

“Okay. I’ll leave you alone. I’ll be at my desk.” I turn to leave and get a few feet from the door before he speaks.

“Why didn’t you call me?” His voice stills me.

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