Touché. “Three years too long.”
“Then I believe it’s safe to assume you know Jackson can be exactly the person you need him to be to get him exactly wherever and whatever he wants at any given time.”
Dean nodded in agreement. “He’s an expert manipulator.”
“Well, the sad truth is, he was the first person, other than my friends, who seemed to truly believe in me and my dreams. I was a rebel on the outside, put on a brave face, but inside, I needed what he offered at the time—unconditional support that I very quickly mistook for love. It took a lot longer to realize I’d fallen into the same controlling pattern with him that I’d been in with my parents.”
“What did he use you for?”
“My software engineering degree. It started out as a question here or there, and then—”
“Hold on, I thought you were an interior designer?”
His abrupt tone brought her head up. “That was my minor.”
The jolt of alarm that’d followed her little information bomb had left behind an unpleasant tingle. “Why go to college for a career with computers and then not even use it?”
“I use it,” she told him. “It’s saved me a ton of money in service fees.”
He gave a wry laugh. “But…?”
“I don’t…” She sighed. “I didn’t really have a choice, okay? I was always fascinated by computers and decorating, and my parents saw more of a future in computers. It’s the only way they’d pay for my education.”
He studied her expression. Much as he wanted to get back to the subject of Jack, he couldn’t help but ask, “You’re serious?”
“Why would I make it up?” She sat back as Antonio arrived to set their steaming plates in front of them. Once he’d retreated, she picked up her fork. “Anyway, being an only child with no one to back me up, I did what I needed to satisfy my parents while taking some extra courses on decorating on the side. I’d been working summers in Estes Park during college, and as soon as I graduated, I moved here and opened GAllen Designs.”
That’s right—his mom had mentioned her parents lived in Michigan.
“What did your parents say to that?” he asked after she’d had a chance to taste her food. His was delicious as always.
“My father’s exact words were, don’t come begging to me when you fail.”
Dean shook his head. “That’s cold. At least I had the offer of help from my mom and stepfather.”
Her gaze remained downcast as she stabbed a couple ziti noodles. “I called them last week about borrowing some money. My dad had no problem reminding me of his previous warning—right after he said I told you so
.”
“That’s why you took the job.”
“Yep.”
“Damn. Here I thought it was my charming personality that convinced you.”
His teasing brought forth the smile he’d been hoping for. It didn’t last long, though, and she picked at her food some more. Watching her attempt to mask the hurt caused by her parents, he didn’t have the heart to bring Jack up again.
“You’re not going to let him ruin your dinner, are you? Bella’s food is too good for that.”
She squared her shoulders the tiniest bit and smiled again. “You’re right. This is really good.”
After a few moments of eating in companionable silence, she rested her fork on the edge of her plate. “Your turn.”
He swallowed his mouthful of lasagna and reached for his wine glass to wash it down. “For what?”
“I’ve met your mom, but who else is in your family?”
“My stepdad, Wesley, and his two daughters. My step-sisters are twenty-two and twenty, and they’re both finishing up a year of studying abroad.”